How many calories are in a bowl of Zuppa Toscana soup from Olive Garden?

January 1, 2026 •

3 min read

According to Olive Garden's official nutritional information, a single serving of their Zuppa Toscana soup contains 220 calories. This popular soup, a customer favorite, features spicy Italian sausage, fresh kale, and russet potatoes in a creamy broth. The seemingly simple bowl holds a complex nutritional profile that is worth exploring for anyone mindful of their diet.

Quick Summary

A standard bowl of Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana soup has 220 calories, alongside its fat, sodium, and carbohydrate content. The creamy, savory soup is a popular menu item, and understanding its nutritional data helps in dietary planning. While a lighter option compared to many main courses, its components, like heavy cream and sausage, contribute significantly to its calorie count.

Key Points

220 Calories: A standard, single bowl of Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana contains 220 calories, according to official menu information.
High Fat and Sodium: The soup is relatively high in fat (15g) and sodium (790mg) per bowl, primarily from the Italian sausage and heavy cream.
Added Calories: The unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks offer can significantly increase calorie intake, with each breadstick adding approximately 140 calories.
Homemade Alternatives: Creating a homemade version allows for better control over ingredients, enabling you to use leaner meats and lower-fat cream substitutes to reduce calories.
Balanced Meal: Pair the soup with a simple salad instead of multiple breadsticks to create a more balanced and calorie-controlled meal.
Full Nutritional Breakdown: The soup also provides 15g of carbohydrates and 7g of protein per serving.
Mindful Eating: Be conscious of portion sizes, especially with unlimited servings, to prevent unintended overconsumption of calories.

A Closer Look at the 220-Calorie Bowl

The 220-calorie count for a bowl of Zuppa Toscana may surprise some, as it's often perceived as a richer, higher-calorie option. However, this figure is for the soup alone, without any accompanying breadsticks or additional toppings. A detailed breakdown reveals the source of these calories, primarily from the combination of ingredients like Italian sausage, heavy cream, and potatoes.

Deconstructing the Nutritional Data

To understand the full picture, it's important to look beyond just the calorie count. The soup's rich flavor comes from its fat content, mainly from the heavy cream and sausage. It also contains carbohydrates from the potatoes and a moderate amount of protein from the sausage. The addition of kale provides some dietary fiber and vitamins, but the overall nutritional profile is dominated by the heavier components. Notably, the sodium content is something to be aware of, as a single bowl contains a significant portion of a person's recommended daily intake.

Key Nutritional Components in a Bowl of Zuppa Toscana:

Calories: 220 kcal
Fat: 15 grams
Saturated Fat: 7 grams
Carbohydrates: 15 grams
Protein: 7 grams
Sodium: 790 mg

How to Enjoy Zuppa Toscana Mindfully

For those on a calorie-conscious diet, there are several strategies to enjoy Zuppa Toscana without derailing your goals. Pairing the soup with a lighter option, like a plain salad with a low-fat dressing, can create a balanced meal. Alternatively, considering the soup a main course rather than a starter can help manage overall intake. You could also opt for a homemade, healthier version of the soup. Many copycat recipes exist that use leaner meats, reduce the amount of heavy cream, or swap potatoes for cauliflower to lower the calorie and carb count.

Comparison: Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana vs. Healthier Homemade Versions

Making Zuppa Toscana at home allows for significant control over the ingredients and nutritional value. The table below compares the standard Olive Garden recipe with a typical healthier, homemade alternative.


Feature	Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana	Healthier Homemade Version
Calories	Approximately 220 kcal per bowl.	Can be as low as 185-250 kcal per bowl, depending on the recipe.
Protein Source	Standard Italian sausage.	Lean ground turkey or chicken sausage.
Cream Base	Heavy cream.	Half-and-half, coconut milk, or blended cannellini beans.
Vegetable	Potatoes and kale.	Often replaces potatoes with cauliflower for fewer carbs.
Sodium	High, 790 mg per bowl.	Significantly lower due to control over broth and seasoning.
Fat Content	High due to heavy cream and sausage.	Much lower, using leaner ingredients.

The All-You-Can-Eat Dilemma

Olive Garden is famous for its unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks offer. While a single bowl of Zuppa Toscana might be manageable, the unlimited nature of the meal can lead to excessive calorie consumption. Each breadstick adds roughly 140 calories, and additional bowls of soup can quickly multiply the overall intake. It's crucial to be mindful of serving sizes and the impact of these add-ons when indulging in this popular dining option. For a more detailed breakdown of Olive Garden's full menu nutritional facts, their official website is a reliable source.

Conclusion

A single bowl of Zuppa Toscana soup from Olive Garden contains 220 calories, but this is only part of the story. The full nutritional impact depends on whether you enjoy it alone or as part of a larger meal, especially with unlimited breadsticks. By understanding the breakdown of fats, carbs, and sodium, you can make informed choices. Opting for a healthier, homemade copycat version offers a delicious alternative with more control over ingredients and nutritional content. Regardless of how you choose to enjoy it, being aware of the nutritional details allows for a more mindful and balanced dining experience.

A Quick and Healthy Zuppa Toscana Recipe

Ingredients:

1 lb lean ground turkey or chicken sausage
1 large onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups chopped kale
1 cup half-and-half or coconut milk
4 cups peeled and chopped sweet potatoes
Salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste

Instructions:

In a large pot, brown the ground turkey or chicken sausage with diced onion.
Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Stir in the low-sodium chicken broth and sweet potatoes. Bring to a boil, then simmer until potatoes are tender.
Reduce heat and stir in the kale and half-and-half (or coconut milk). Cook until the kale is wilted.
Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to your liking. Serve immediately.

This recipe provides a delicious and lower-calorie take on the classic, proving that you can enjoy the same great flavors with a healthier approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard serving of Zuppa Toscana soup from Olive Garden contains 220 calories.

A single bowl of the soup contains 15 grams of total fat, with 7 grams being saturated fat.

While it contains vegetables like kale, the traditional Olive Garden version is high in fat and sodium. Healthier homemade versions exist that use leaner ingredients.

To reduce calories, consider having just one bowl and skipping the breadsticks, which add additional calories and carbohydrates. Pairing it with a light salad is also a good option.

The main calorie contributors are the Italian sausage, heavy cream, and potatoes used to make the creamy and hearty soup.

Yes, the traditional Zuppa Toscana at Olive Garden is made with heavy cream, making it a dairy-based soup.

Yes, it is possible to make a healthier copycat version at home by substituting heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk, using leaner sausage, and swapping potatoes for cauliflower.