This complete meal in a slow cooker will warm you up! You can even throw it all together over the noon hour, slow cook on high, and have ready for dinner. I love the Italian sausage and Italian flavorings that lend just enough spice. You can also double the sausage instead of using ham.
If you are like me, you’ll come back to this recipe time and time again. It’s weekday or even date night worthy. Also, the recipe makes enough to either give away or freeze for later.
After enjoying the aroma when cooking you will want to enjoy this soup the day of preparation. But, if you refrigerate and enjoy the next day- it becomes a “wow” with the savory flavors creating a standout!
EnJOY!!!
Zuppa Toscana
Warm up with this slow cooker hearty soup
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 lb italian sausage
- 1 lb ham cubed
- 1 1/2 medium onions diced
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 8 cups vegetable broth
- 2 lbs potatoes sliced into rounds
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp Better than Bouillon Italian Herb if available
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
- 6 cups baby kale (or spinach)
- 2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
- grated parmesan cheese (garnish)
Instructions
- Cook sausage over medium heat, breaking into small pieces as it cooks. Once fully browned, transfer to slow cooker with the cubed ham.
- Add diced onion and garlic to same skillet and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add to slow cooker.
- Add vegetable broth, potatoes, oregano, Italian seasoning, Bouillon, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours. (Can also cook on low for 6-8 hours)
- Last 30 minutes of cooking time: Stir in Kale (or spinach) and cream. Cover an cook for another 20-30 minutes
- Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese. Serve with sour dough bread slices.
