I fell in love with this Tuscan Soup when I combined Italian sausage with sun-dried tomatoes, kale, garlic, and onion. Cream cheese and heavy cream lend a subtle creaminess that harmonizes with dried basil and oregano. Every spoonful invites me to explore a delightful fusion of flavors and endless possibilities.
I recently experimented with a new twist on a Tuscan classic that I sheerbly think you’ll enjoy. I decided to whip up an Instant Pot Keto Tuscan Soup with ingredients like 1 lb of Italian sausage, a diced medium yellow onion, and minced garlic, all sautéed in a bit of olive oil to unlock a robust flavor combo.
I then mixed in sun-dried tomatoes, 4 cups of chicken broth, and plenty of chopped kale. What really makes it interesting is the addition of cream cheese cubes and a splash of heavy cream, along with a pinch of dried basil, dried oregano, and maybe even some red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat.
It turned out to be a low carb meal with lots of flavor and just the right kick, perfect for any keto cooking enthusiast looking for something hearty and satisfying. Enjoy exploring this delicious fusion of tastes!
Why I Like this Recipe
I love this recipe because the mix of flavors is just amazing, the Italian sausage, garlic, and sun dried tomatoes all come together in a way that just hits the spot. I also really enjoy how creamy it gets with the cream cheese and heavy cream, making the soup feel super rich and hearty even though it’s not overdone. Another thing is the convenience—the Instant Pot makes everything so fast and easy so I can have a delicious meal without spending all day in the kitchen. And lastly, adding kale gives it that healthy touch that makes me feel good about what I’m eating while still being really tasty.
Ingredients
- Italian sausage: adds protein and bold savory flavor with a slight spicy kick.
- Yellow onion: provides natural sweetness and fiber while building a rich flavor base.
- Garlic: boosts flavor and health benefits even though it’s so tiny.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: bring tangy, umami notes with vitamins and a chewy texture.
- Kale: a healthy, fiber rich greens that add slight bitterness and pleasant earthiness.
- Cream cheese and heavy cream: yield a rich, creamy consistency that comforts every spoonful.
- Olive oil: gives a fruity note and sizzling start to sauteing all ingredients.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups chopped kale (stems removed)
- 4 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
How to Make this
1. Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add the olive oil, then crumble in the Italian sausage. Cook it until it’s nicely browned, stirring often so it doesn’t stick.
2. Toss in the diced onion and minced garlic into the pot with the sausage and cook them for about 2-3 minutes until the onion softens.
3. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and let them mingle with the sausage, onion, and garlic for another 1 minute.
4. Pour in the chicken broth, then add the chopped kale (making sure to remove the stems). Give it a good stir so everything is evenly mixed.
5. Lock the lid in place and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 5 minutes to let all the flavors combine.
6. When the timer goes off, do a quick release of the pressure. Open the lid carefully when the steam is gone.
7. Add the cream cheese cubes and heavy cream to the hot soup. Stir well until the cream cheese is completely melted and the soup becomes creamy.
8. Sprinkle in the dried basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if you’re using them, along with some salt and pepper to taste.
9. Switch back to Sauté mode for an extra 2 minutes if needed, letting the soup bubble a bit and thicken up slightly.
10. Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings if necessary. Serve it hot and enjoy every comforting spoonful!
Equipment Needed
1. Instant Pot with both sauté and pressure cooking functions
2. Chef’s knife for chopping meats and vegetables
3. Cutting board for dicing onions, mincing garlic, and prepping kale
4. Measuring cups and spoons for liquid ingredients and spices
5. Wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula for stirring while cooking
6. Ladle for serving the finished soup
7. Mixing bowl (optional) for pre-measuring or holding cream cheese cubes prior to adding them into the pot
FAQ
Instant Pot Keto Tuscan Soup (Warm And Comforting) Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Italian sausage: If you dont have sausage on hand, you could try ground turkey or chicken instead. For a meatless option, a plant-based sausage works too
- Sun-dried tomatoes: You can use roasted red peppers or even fresh tomatoes that have been charred a bit to give a similar flavor note
- Heavy cream: Try coconut cream or full fat coconut milk if you need a dairy free swap (just note that it might slightly change the flavor)
- Chicken broth: Vegetable broth is a pretty good substitute if you’re short on chicken broth, though the soup might taste a bit lighter
- Kale: If kale isnt available, baby spinach or Swiss chard are decent alternatives that keep the texture and nutrition intact
Pro Tips
1. When you brown the sausage, keep stirring so that it doesn’t stick or burn. It’s easy to overcook it if you get distracted, and you really want that tasty, crispy texture without ruining the flavor.
2. Before you add the broth, make sure the sun-dried tomatoes are well drained. That extra oil could make the soup way too greasy if you’re not careful, so a good drain is key.
3. When you add the cream cheese, let it melt slowly in the hot soup instead of mixing it in too quickly. This helps to create a smooth, creamy texture without any clumps forming.
4. While you’re finishing up, taste your soup and adjust the seasonings. Sometimes a pinch more salt or a few extra red pepper flakes can bring out the flavors even better, so don’t be shy about tweaking it a bit.
Instant Pot Keto Tuscan Soup (Warm And Comforting) Recipe
My favorite Instant Pot Keto Tuscan Soup (Warm And Comforting) Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Instant Pot with both sauté and pressure cooking functions
2. Chef’s knife for chopping meats and vegetables
3. Cutting board for dicing onions, mincing garlic, and prepping kale
4. Measuring cups and spoons for liquid ingredients and spices
5. Wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula for stirring while cooking
6. Ladle for serving the finished soup
7. Mixing bowl (optional) for pre-measuring or holding cream cheese cubes prior to adding them into the pot
Ingredients:
- 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups chopped kale (stems removed)
- 4 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
Instructions:
1. Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add the olive oil, then crumble in the Italian sausage. Cook it until it’s nicely browned, stirring often so it doesn’t stick.
2. Toss in the diced onion and minced garlic into the pot with the sausage and cook them for about 2-3 minutes until the onion softens.
3. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and let them mingle with the sausage, onion, and garlic for another 1 minute.
4. Pour in the chicken broth, then add the chopped kale (making sure to remove the stems). Give it a good stir so everything is evenly mixed.
5. Lock the lid in place and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 5 minutes to let all the flavors combine.
6. When the timer goes off, do a quick release of the pressure. Open the lid carefully when the steam is gone.
7. Add the cream cheese cubes and heavy cream to the hot soup. Stir well until the cream cheese is completely melted and the soup becomes creamy.
8. Sprinkle in the dried basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if you’re using them, along with some salt and pepper to taste.
9. Switch back to Sauté mode for an extra 2 minutes if needed, letting the soup bubble a bit and thicken up slightly.
10. Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings if necessary. Serve it hot and enjoy every comforting spoonful!