• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Cheeky Chickpea
  • Home
  • Instant Pot
  • Sign up
  • About Verna
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • All Recipes
  • Sign up
  • About
  • Contact
  • Instant Pot
  • 30 Minute Vegan Recipes
  • Breakfast & Baking
  • Desserts
  • Drinks
  • Gluten free
  • Mains
  • Salads
  • Sauces & Dressings
  • Snacks & Sides
  • Soups
  • Vegan Holiday Recipes
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • All Recipes
    • Sign up
    • About
    • Contact
    • Instant Pot
    • 30 Minute Vegan Recipes
    • Breakfast & Baking
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Gluten free
    • Mains
    • Salads
    • Sauces & Dressings
    • Snacks & Sides
    • Soups
    • Vegan Holiday Recipes
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Soups

    Vegan Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Soup Copycat)

    Updated: Jan 20, 2023 by Verna Rindler · This post may contain affiliate links · 31 Comments

    1010 shares
    • Share
    • Yummly
    Jump to Recipe
    a pot of vegan zuppa toscana soup

    Vegan Zuppa Toscana! Famous Olive Garden Soup Recipe made Vegan! with spicy plant based sausage, kale, potatoes, cashew cream simmered in full flavoured Italian broth. Easy hearty healthy delicious! Vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free.

    overhead view of a pot of vegan zuppa toscana soup

    Wait until you taste this classic hearty Italian soup it’s my homemade vegan copy cat version of Olive Garden Restaurant - Zuppa toscana! And it is seriously amazing! 

    Full of juicy meaty plant based sausage bites, tender potatoes, healthy kale all cooked together in a rich savoury slightly spicy creamy broth. Packed with flavour!

    Good luck just eating one bowl!! Meat eaters won’t even know it’s vegan and dairy free! Not kidding!

    And best of all it’s a super easy soup to make, full of protein and totally satisfying!  

    Perfect comfort food meal for winter months, december, January, etc… says me and my family. We totally loved it!

    overhead view of two bowls of zuppa tuscana soup
    Jump to:
    • What does vegan zuppa toscana mean?
    • Vegan zuppa toscana ingredients and substitutions:
    • How to make the best vegan zuppa toscana: 
    • You’ll love this zuppa tuscana soup, it’s: 
    • Want more vegan soup recipes? Check these out!
    • Vegan Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Soup Copycat)

    What does vegan zuppa toscana mean?

    • It’s a broad term, translated means “tuscan soup” which originated in Tuscany, Italy. Classic recipe usually contains cannelloni beans, zucchini and kale, potatoes, tomatoes and even more veggies. I’m sharing the popular North American version today.

    Vegan zuppa toscana ingredients and substitutions:

    • Beyond meat sausage: I use spicy hot Italian which I highly recommend for best results 
    • Russet potatoes: can use any potatoes but russets lends a perfect creaminess to soup
    • Kale: use any type of kale. I usually buy the pre washed and chopped kale in a bag and just discard the stem pieces. Can substitute with spinach or swiss chard if you like.
    • Cashew cream: I used cashews, water, vinegar to replace dairy milk and it worked like a charm. For nut free could try using vegan cream cheese or coconut milk (I haven’t tested with these)
    • Onions: I typically use yellow onions but any kind will work
    • Garlic: gotta have fresh garlic folks!
    • Vegetable broth: I use vegetarian better than bouillon no chicken and beef soup base, adds incredible flavour, it’s a must!
    • Spices: ground fennel, Italian seasoning (or dried thyme), crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper
    • Nutritional yeast: adds cheesy element
    vegan zuppa toscana in a bowl with a spoon

    How to make the best vegan zuppa toscana: 

    1. Heat soup pot over medium heat (I use my Dutch Oven), add the oil and sausages. Fry for 4-5 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Break in half with wooden spoon while cooking for smaller bites if you like. Transfer to bowl, set aside.
    2. To the same pot add onions and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, thyme, fennel, and red pepper flakes. until fragrant 30 seconds or so. Add water, vegetable bouillon, potatoes and nutritional yeast,  
    3. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce to a good simmer for 8 minutes or until potatoes are just fork tender.
    4. Add kale, cover and cook 3-5 minutes longer or until kale is tender.
    5. Uncover and stir in cashew cream and sausages. Season with salt and pepper.
    6. For cashew cream: add cashews, water and vinegar to Nutra bullet, blend until smooth (could use high speed blender but I find this easier and less messy)
    7. Enjoy! Serve with warm crusty no knead artisan bread, or focaccia, mmm yum! For full recipe ingredients and instructions see recipe card below
    step by step photos how to make vegan zuppa toscana
    two bowls of zuppa toscana soup

    You’ll love this zuppa tuscana soup, it’s: 

    • Vegan
    • so GOOD!
    • Dare I say better than Olive Garden!!
    • Healthy
    • Easy to prepare
    • Super satisfying
    • Gluten free
    • dairy free
    • Hearty
    • Savoury
    • Comforting

    Enjoy everyone! Happy Day! Please feel free to comment below and give this recipe a rating. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

    Follow me on PINTEREST and INSTAGRAM for more tasty Plant Based  & Vegan Recipes❤️

    Want more vegan soup recipes? Check these out!

    • Incredible Roasted Vegan Cauliflower Soup (Easy)
    • Vegan Cream Of Mushroom Soup - Wickedly Good!
    • Vegan Lentil Soup (Italian Vegetable)
    • Hearty Homemade Vegan Corn Chowder 
    • Best Vegan Split Pea Soup (Slow cooker option)
    • Classic Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup
    • Jamaican Vegetable Soup (instant pot)
    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

    Vegan Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Soup Copycat)


    ★★★★★

    5 from 16 reviews

    • Author: Verna
    • Total Time: 43 minutes
    • Yield: 6 Servings 1x
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Vegan Zuppa Toscana! Famous Olive Garden Soup Recipe made Vegan! with spicy plant based sausage, kale, potatoes, cashew cream simmered in full flavoured Italian broth. Easy hearty healthy delicious! Vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 4 Beyond meat sausages, sliced (hot italian)
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil, or favourite cooking oil
    • 1 medium - large onion, diced
    • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
    • 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried thyme
    • 3/4 teaspoon ground fennel
    • pinch or two crushed red pepper flakes
    • 6 cups water
    • 2 tablespoons vegetarian better than bouillon no chicken soup base
    • 1/2 tablespoon vegetarian better than bouillon no beef soup base
    • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
    • 6 cups peeled and chopped russet potatoes (bite size pieces)
    • 3 cups chopped kale, packed and stems removed (can use Swiss chard or spinach)
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Cashew Cream:

    • 1/2 cup raw cashews*
    • 1/2 cup water
    • 1 tablespoon white vinegar

     


    Instructions

    1. Heat soup pot over medium heat (I use my Dutch Oven), add the oil and sausages. Fry for 4-5 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Break in half with wooden spoon while cooking for smaller bites if you like. Transfer to bowl, set aside.
    2. To the same pot add onions. Saute for 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, thyme, fennel, and red pepper flakes. until fragrant 30 seconds or so.
    3. Add water, vegetable bouillon, potatoes and nutritional yeast, Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce to a good simmer for 8 minutes or until potatoes are just fork tender.
    4. Add kale, cover and cook 3-5 minutes longer or until kale is tender.
    5. Uncover and stir in cashew cream and sausages. Season with salt and pepper.
    6. For cashew cream: add cashews, water and vinegar to Nutra bullet, blend until smooth (could use high speed blender but I find this easier and less messy)
    7. Enjoy! Serve with warm crusty no knead artisan bread, or focaccia, mmm yum! For step by step photos see above post

    Notes

    •  For nut free: could try using vegan cream cheese, coconut milk or oat milk (fyi- I haven't tested with these)
    • To store and freeze: will keep covered in fridge for 4-5 days and can be frozen for 2-3 months

    recipe inspired by Cafe Delights

    • Prep Time: 20 Minutes
    • Cook Time: 23 Minutes
    • Category: Soups, Gluten Free
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: Italian

    Keywords: vegan zuppa toscana, zuppa toscana soup, vegan olive garden soup

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cheeky_chickpea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #cheeky_chickpea_

    More Soups

    • Vegan Curried Butternut Squash Soup
    • Vegan White Chili
    • Sopa de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup)
    • Vegan Cream of Mushroom Soup
    1010 shares
    • Share
    • Yummly

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kathi

      January 21, 2023 at 3:48 pm

      This was delicious!! I didn’t have nutritional yeast and it was wonderful without it. Thanks very much for sharing this recipe.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I’m Verna! Major foodie of all things vegan! Welcome to The Cheeky Chickpea; here, you’ll find hundreds of restaurant-worthy easy vegan recipes. Some oil-free and gluten-free, from veggie-powered plant-based comfort foods to decadent desserts. Lots of tricks and tips up my chef sleeve…Grab your apron let’s get cooking!

    More about me →

    • Mail
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Categories

    Popular Posts

    • The Best Vegan Chocolate Fudge Cake
    • Best Vegan Meatballs! (Impossible Burger)
    • 5 Minute Vegan Ramen (Instant Noodles)
    • Ultimate Vegan Chili Recipe
    • Best Vegan Meatloaf Recipe! (Impossible Burger)
    • Sweet and Spicy Chili Garlic Noodles

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Nutritional Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • About
    • Contact
    • Affiliate and Photo Policy

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 The Cheeky Chickpea