Our Keto Zuppa Toscana tastes just like the famous soup from Olive Garden, but we’ve swapped the potatoes for turnips and no one even knows! The turnips take on all the flavor of the soup and the texture is just like a potato.

Would you believe that I was an adult the first time I ever ate at an Olive Garden? Why in the world did my parents shield me from the deliciousness when I was a kid?!
Believe it or not, I still eat there every now and then. I usually go for a salad and chicken Alfredo – I just ask them to replace the pasta with steamed broccoli and they’re happy to accommodate!
I totally miss the Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana recipe though. It’s one of my favorite soups to eat at a restaurant. Unfortunately, it’s loaded with carbs thanks to the flour they use as a thickener and the thin slices of potatoes.
This keto Zuppa Toscana recipe is a great copycat though!
I served this to my family and they had NO IDEA they were eating turnips instead of potatoes. I call that a win.
I hope you guys give this zuppa toscana with turnips a try. I know you’re going to love it!
This soup goes great with our cauliflower breadsticks! I wont pretend they taste like Olive Garden’s breadsticks, but they’re still darn good.
Ingredient Notes:

Spicy Italian Sausage – This classic Tuscan soup recipe tastes best when it is prepared with ground spicy Italian sausage, which blends nicely with the creamy flavors. You can use a mild Italian sausage instead, or even a sweet Italian sausage if you watch the carbs.
Bacon – You’ll cook this up with the sausage for even more savory flavor, and it tastes so good with the turnips and kale!
Garlic & Onion – A must in any good soup!
Chicken Broth – This is going to add most of the liquid for the low carb Zuppa Toscana, so make sure you use a good quality brand of chicken broth that has lots of flavor!
Turnips – They aren’t quite potatoes, but the texture is pretty similar and when they’ve been simmered in this soup with the other ingredients you won’t even notice the difference! I swear it’s magic.
Kale – This bulks up the soup a bit. If you don’t like kale, spinach would make a good substitute!
Heavy Cream – Traditional zuppa toscana is thickened with a roux, but we skipped that in favor of heavy cream. It adds a little body and creaminess.
Salt & Pepper – Just as much or as little as you like to taste.

- It’s a lot like the popular soup served up at Olive Garden, but without all the carbs!
- This homemade copycat recipe is just as good or better than what you’d get at the restaurant!
- It’s a great way to get some healthy veggies like turnips and kale into the kids without them complaining.
- The turnips soak up the flavor of the soup and the texture is just like a potato. My family didn’t even realize they were eating turnips.
How To Make Keto Zuppa Toscana:
- Meat- Add the Italian sausage and bacon to a pot. We like to use a dutch oven here. Brown the meat, stirring often to crumble up the sausage.
- Onion & Garlic – Stir in the onion and garlic and let things get nice and fragrant.
- Turnips – Drop in the sliced turnips and pour in the broth. You’ll want to simmer this for about 10 minutes to let those turnips soften up.
- Finish – Add the kale and continue cooking for about 5 minutes to wilt the kale and then stir in the cream. Season with salt and pepper and dig in!

FAQs:
If you have leftover Tuscan soup you can keep it stored in the fridge in an airtight container for about 3 to 4 days! This soup is just as good when reheated so it’s perfect for leftovers!
Yes, you could freeze the soup in a freezer safe bag or container. It should be just as good after a few months!
More Low Carb Italian Recipes:
- Low Carb Alfredo Sauce
- Spaghetti Squash Casserole
- Bruschetta Chicken
- Pork Tenderloin
- Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs
- Baked Shrimp Scampi
- Air Fryer Chicken Caprese
- Italian Cauliflower Rice Skillet


Low Carb Zuppa Toscana
Zuppa Toscana - just like at Olive Garden but without all the carbs. My family had no idea they were eating turnips instead of potatoes in this low carb soup recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage
- 4 slices bacon, diced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 turnips, sliced, about 10 ounces total
- 4 cups chopped kale
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large sauce pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage to the pot and begin to brown the meat, breaking it up as it cooks.
- When the meat is about halfway browned, add the bacon, onion, and garlic and continue cooking and stirring until the sausage is fully cooked through.
- Add the chicken broth and turnips and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add the kale and continue cooking for 5 minutes or until kale and turnips are both tender.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the cream. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
You may use spinach in place of kale if you prefer.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 bowlAmount Per Serving: Calories: 295Total Fat: 18gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 599mgCarbohydrates: 10gNet Carbohydrates: 7gFiber: 3gSugar: 4gProtein: 20g
This recipe was originally published in December 2018. It was updated with new text and photos in March 2023. Original photos below:



Ashley says
This recipe is amazing, next time I’ll have to double the recipe because it was eaten so quickly. Recommending it to everyone I know!
Jamie says
This soup was AMAZING! I love when I find a keto recipe that the whole family loves! Thank you!
DEMETRA SMITH says
What a great idea to use turnips instead of potatoes!! This is one of hub’s fave soups and I got rave reviews when I made it this way!! Can’t wait to do this again!! Thanks for the recipe!!
Theresa says
Made this tonight… Hubby LOVED IT! Don’t know if I bought the wrong type of kale but it took more than 5 minutes to be tender. Think I’ll wait 5 minutes after turnips go in and then 10 minutes after kale goes in. Other than that… it was PERFECT!
Melissa Hutcheson says
Made this for dinner And can’t believe how amazing it i! Even my 14 year old son who is very picky had no idea it wasn’t potato. It’s a keeper! Thank you so much!
Karly Campbell says
Yay! Love it when the kids eat what we’re eating too! 🙂
Emma Murin says
Omg I made the soup, it’s better than in Olive Garden. My boys absolutely love it and you can’t even tell a difference of the Substitution of potatoes. Thank you so much!
Karly Campbell says
Glad you enjoyed! 🙂
Lauren Quint says
I want to cook tonight? Can parsnip be substituted for turnip?
Karly Campbell says
I think that would work fine, but the nutrition info will change.
dj says
Can a rutabaga be substituted for the turnip?
Karly Campbell says
I’ve never tried.
Laura says
Can this be frozen?
Karly Campbell says
I think that would work fine, though I haven’t tried it.
Claudia says
Yes, it can. I froze once and heated on the microwave. Tastes the same.
Racquel says
Amazing recipe! I’ve been craving this soup and I’m so happy I came across this! Easy and delicious
Ann says
What are the cooking instructions for a slow cooker? Or can’t this be done in one?
Karly Campbell says
I’ve not tried this one in a slow cooker yet.
Elaine says
Cannot tell you exactly how much I love this soup!! I have missed having it do to the potatoes. WOW….I like this version even better!!! The slight bite of the turnip, the creaminess it adds, the way it holds its shape while giving a velvety texture! Definitely on the top of my rotation, for sure!!
Karly Campbell says
So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Autumn says
I would just pan fry the sausage, bacon, onions… them throw everything in the slow cooker. I made this way using an install ~ awesome…
Karen says
Made this tonight. Love it! My family was impressed and said to put it on the “definitely make it again” list.
Linda Edwards says
OMG, this is so good. Even my picky Fiance brought a bowl to work for lunch. It’s amazing. Thanks for the recipe!
Paula says
I can’t wait to try this! Has anyone tried turnips instead of when cooking a roast?
Karly Campbell says
I’ve used radishes, but haven’t tried turnips yet. I’m sure they’d be good though!
Kacey Claiborne says
Paula, I have used turnips with a roast and they work great.
Emily says
I never leave reviews but this was incredible! I was skeptical that a turnip would taste like a potato but I am blown away because I cannot tell any difference! Same consistency of a potato and everything! So yummy
Karly Campbell says
I was blown away the first time I tried it too. 😉
Stephanie Hicks says
Emily, we use turnips in the air fryer to make french fries too. Just slice up, spritz with a little olive oil or Pam spray, and sprinkle on some salt & Pepper. Then air fry until it gets to the crisp you desire.
Soumyadip says
Looking so awesome! I have to try this now
CHRISTINA HERNANDEZ says
I make this with turnips too and my family cant even tell the difference! It has been a life changer since I discovered turnips! I also make mashed cauliflower on the side and add as a thickener!!
Kelly | Foodtasia says
Karly, this soup looks amazing! I just want to cozy up on the couch with a blanket and a big bowl of this soup!
Karly Campbell says
Goals!
Susie Kirkland says
Oh my goodness! I can’t tell you how happy I am about this! I have been craving this soup but have been trying so hard to be good! THANK YOU!!! I will be making tonight!