If you love Zuppa Toscana soup, you'll love this Healthier Slow Cooker version of The Olive Garden's famous soup! Made with spicy turkey Italian sausage, kale, potatoes, and parmesan cheese, and without cream, this Healthy Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana is a hearty and delicious crockpot soup. It's also Weight Watchers friendly.
This Healthy Zuppa Toscana is perfect for a busy weeknight and popular in the fall and during the colder months, but great for any time of the year because making it in the slow cooker won't heat up your house. I love to lighten up slow cooker soup recipes. Both my Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Soup and my Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup are delicious lighter and healthier versions.
Jump to:
- 🥘Ingredient Notes
- 📖Variations & Substitutions
- 🔪How to Make Healthy Zuppa Toscana in the Crock Pot
- Recipe Tips
- 👪 Serving Size
- 🔢WW Points
- 🌡️Storage
- Top Tip
- 🥖What to serve with Healthy Zuppa Toscana
- ❔What to do with leftover condensed milk
- ❔Recipe FAQ's
- 🥣More Healthy Soup recipes
- 📋Healthy Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Recipe
Zuppa Toscana means Tuscan soup, but Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana soup is not the traditional Tuscan soup - it's a popularized American version.
🥘Ingredient Notes
My copycat version of this soup is different from the original soup in that it's lighter. I don't use heavy cream, so it's less calories and fat. Instead, I use milk and instant mashed potatoes to create a creamy broth for this potato soup.
This Healthy Zuppa Toascana recipe is spicy, so use mild Italian turkey sausage and ½ the crushed red chili pepper, if you like it less spicy. You will need the following ingredients for this Crockpot Zuppa Toscana:
- Italian ground turkey sausage. Using Italian ground turkey sausage instead of regular sausage lowers the ww points substantially. - choose mild or medium. * (see TOP TIP)
- Potatoes. I use red potatoes because they are best for soups and stews, as they are a moist, waxy type of potato that will hold its shape once cooked. The skins are also thin enough to leave on and are not overly chewy.
- Red pepper flakes. This adds a kick of spice to the soup.
- 1 % milk. Using a low-fat milk brings down the calories in this soup substantially.
- Instant mashed potatoes or potato flakes. Potato flakes are a great thickener for soup. I use Idahoan Buttery Homestyle Instant mashed potatoes. I also use them in my
- Sweetened Condensed Milk.Sweetened condensed milk balances the tanginess of this soup. I use Eagle brand as it has fewer WW points
*See recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantities
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Spicier- add additional chili pepper flakes
- Less Spicy - use mild Italian turkey sausage and cut the crushed red pepper in half
- Milk - you can use skim milk, 2 % milk, or whole milk instead of 1 %
- Chicken broth - you can use chicken stock or a premade chicken broth or chicken bouillon mixed with water (*I use this because I can control the taste and add more bouillon if I need to at the end).
- Potatoes - you can use whatever potatoes you have on hand (russet potatoes, red, white, yukon gold potatoes etc. )
- Lactose-free - you can use lactose-free milk and a lactose-free mashed potato such as Idahoan Smart Smash
- Instant Mashed Potatoes (or Potato Flakes)- * I use Idahoan Buttery Homestyle Instant mashed potatoes because I like the buttery flavor and then I don't have to use butter. If you use another type, you may want to add a little butter or light butter
- Sausage - you can use regular hot Italian sausage, if you're not concerned about the additional fat or calories
- Kale- you can substitute Swiss Chard or fresh Spinach
🔪How to Make Healthy Zuppa Toscana in the Crock Pot
In a large frying pan, brown the spicy Italian sausage over medium-high heat (4-5 minutes)
Drain cooked sausage through a sieve to remove as much excess grease as possible.
Add the cooked crumbled sausage, chicken broth, onions, potatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes to the Slow Cooker.
Cook for 4-5 hours on low heat or high heat for about 2 hours (cooking times vary by slow cooker).
Once potatoes are tender and you can put a fork easily through them, stir in kale, milk, instant mashed potatoes (or potato flakes), and Parmesan cheese.
Allow to cook for another 10 minutes on high or until thickened and kale is wilted.
*At this point, I added 3 tablespoon of chicken bouillion, a little at a time, tasting as I added, since it needed more flavor. However, you may not need to do this- it will depend on your preferences.
Garnish with chopped turkey bacon and additional crushed red pepper (optional).
Recipe Tips
- Brown the Sausage Well for Extra Flavor. Browning the turkey sausage until it develops a deep golden-brown crust enhances the soup’s overall depth of flavor. Don’t rush this step—let it caramelize properly before draining the grease.
- Use the Right Potatoes for the Best Texture. Red potatoes are ideal because they hold their shape well in soups, but if using russet potatoes, be aware they break down more, making the soup thicker. If you prefer chunkier potatoes, Yukon Gold is a great alternative.
- Don’t Skip the Instant Mashed Potatoes. This secret ingredient helps create a creamy texture without heavy cream. If you prefer a chunkier soup, reduce the amount slightly or mash a few cooked potatoes instead.
- Add the Kale at the Right Time. To prevent overcooking, add the kale in the last 10 minutes of cooking. This ensures it stays vibrant and retains some texture instead of becoming too soft
👪 Serving Size
This Crock pot Zuppa Toscana recipe makes 12 servings, as there are 12 cups of soup in the recipe and each serving is 1 cup.
🔢WW Points
This Weight Watchers Zuppa Toscana is 4 ww points per serving (1 cup per serving), including the turkey bacon garnish (2 slices), which is HALF the ww points for regular Zuppa Toscana soup! *I use Eagle brand condensed milk, as it's less WW points*
🌡️Storage
Store this leftover soup in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days. This soup freezes well in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Let your soup cool for at least 20 minutes before putting it in the fridge or freezer. This prevents it from going sour.
Top Tip
Ground Italian turkey sausage is not easy to find, but you can use links of Italian turkey sausages and simply remove the casings- I did this, and it's very easy!
VIDEO : Here's how to decase sausage
🥖What to serve with Healthy Zuppa Toscana
Bread pairs well with this healthy and creamy soup. If you're looking to keep it really light, I recommend this Cloud Bread,(shown) as it is 0 ww points. Italian Bread Machine Breadsticks, Onion and Olive Bread, and Old Fashioned Dinner rolls also make great sides!
It also pairs well with a garden salad or this Spinach Strawberry Pecan Salad.
❔What to do with leftover condensed milk
You will have quite a bit of leftover condensed milk after you make this recipe. Fortunately, condensed milk will last up to 3 weeks in your fridge (in an airtight container)!
You can also freeze it in an airtight container or Ziploc freezer bag. Condensed milk will not actually freeze solid because of the sugar content. You can thaw frozen condensed milk overnight in the refrigerator.
And it can be frozen for up to three months without any noticeable flavor or texture changes, as long as the container is tightly sealed. Whisk the milk if there is any separation, and note that thawed condensed milk should not be re-frozen. You can read more about freezing condensed milk HERE.
You can use leftover condensed milk to make my Healthy and WW friendly Butter Chicken or indulge in Bread pudding, Rice Pudding or my Coconut Lime Tres Leches Cake.
❔Recipe FAQ's
Yes! To make it on the stovetop, brown the sausage in a large pot, then add the broth, potatoes, onions, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20-25 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Stir in the kale, milk, and instant mashed potatoes, then cook for another 5-10 minutes until thickened
Yes, you can use fresh mashed potatoes as a thickener. Use about ½ cup of mashed potatoes and adjust the consistency as needed.
If your soup needs more flavor, try adding additional salt, Parmesan cheese, or extra chicken bouillon. You can also add a splash of lemon juice for brightness.
So if you're looking for a delicious soup that's lighter and will keep you on track, you'll love this one!
🥣More Healthy Soup recipes
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📋Healthy Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian ground turkey sausage - use mild or medium
- 1 medium white onion - diced
- 3 teaspoon minced garlic - 2-3 cloves
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 4 medium potatoes - cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cups 1% milk
- 4 cups chopped kale
- 113 g pkg instant mashed potatoes or potato flakes * I use Idahoan Buttery Homestyle Instant mashed potatoes
- 2 tablespoon light or fat-free grated parmesan cheese
- 1.5 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk *I use Eagle brand as it's less WW points*
Garnish
- 2-4 slices chopped turkey bacon
Instructions
- In a large frying pan, brown the crumbled Italian sausage over medium-high heat (4-5 minutes)
- Drain sausage through a sieve to remove as much excess grease as possible.
- Add the cooked ground turkey sausage, chicken broth, onions, potatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes to the slow cooker.Cook on Low for 4-5 hours or High for about 2 hours(cooking times vary by slow cooker).
- Once potatoes are tender and you can put a fork easily through them, stir in kale, milk, instant mashed potatoes (or potato flakes), and Parmesan cheese.Allow to cook for another 10 minutes on high or until thickened.
- If desired, add additional chicken boillion (I added an additional 2-3 tbsp) or salt, and/or parmesan cheese to your taste preference.However, you may not need to do this- it will depend on how it tastes.
Garnish
- Garnish with chopped turkey bacon and additional crushed red pepper and/or parmesan cheese or black pepper (optional).
Notes
-
- Brown the Sausage Well for Extra Flavor. Browning the turkey sausage until it develops a deep golden-brown crust enhances the soup’s overall depth of flavor. Don’t rush this step—let it caramelize properly before draining the grease.
-
- Use the Right Potatoes for the Best Texture. Red potatoes are ideal because they hold their shape well in soups, but if using russet potatoes, be aware they break down more, making the soup thicker. If you prefer chunkier potatoes, Yukon Gold is a great alternative.
-
- Don’t Skip the Instant Mashed Potatoes. This secret ingredient helps create a creamy texture without heavy cream. If you prefer a chunkier soup, reduce the amount slightly or mash a few cooked potatoes instead.
-
- Add the Kale at the Right Time. To prevent overcooking, add the kale in the last 10 minutes of cooking. This ensures it stays vibrant and retains some texture instead of becoming too soft.
Terri Gilson
I love how this Zuppa Toscana is both delicious and healthier than the original. You'll enjoy the rich flavors from the spicy turkey sausage, kale, and potatoes, but without all the cream. It's perfect for busy weeknights - just toss everything in the slow cooker and come home to a comforting meal. Plus, it's Weight Watchers friendly, so you can indulge without the guilt!
Julie Arts
Looks like a good recipe but I’m not sure I’d make it because of the 1.5 Tbs sweetened condensed milk. I won’t use the remainder of the can, so it’s too wasteful. What else can be substituted???
Terri Gilson
Hi Julie,
I'm not a fan of wasting food either and that's why I put suggestions for how to use the leftover condensed milk in the post. Leftover condensed milk also lasts several weeks in the fridge and can be frozen for several months (see 'storage' post contents for that information). There are substitutes but they won't taste as good and I haven't tried them. Plus, you'd run into the same problem with leftovers.
Hope you give it a try!
Terri