Zuppa Toscana Soup

 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound Italian sausage (I like it spicy) like me 😂😂
• 1/2 pound of ground beef 
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium white onion, peeled and diced
• 1.5 pounds  potatoes, washed and diced
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon basil 
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups chopped spinach or kale. I used spinach. It cooks faster 
• 1 cup heavy cream 
•  salt and  black pepper to taste 
• 6 pieces bacon, cooked and chopped to garnish on top is optional 

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INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cook sausage and beef in a large stockpot over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, breaking the sausage into small pieces as it cooks. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked sausage to a separate plate, reserving 1 tablespoon grease in the stockpot for later*, and discarding the excess grease.  Then Set aside.
2. Add onions to the stockpot (with the grease), and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add garlic, basil and sauté for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.  Add the potatoes, chicken stock, water, and cooked sausage, and continue cooking until the mixture reaches a simmer.  Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.  Stir in the spinach  and cream, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Serve warm, garnished with the bacon bits.