Healthy Zuppa Toscana

Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• 1 lb ground Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 6 slices organic bacon (or turkey bacon, see note), diced
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 7 cups chicken bone broth
• 7 medium yellow potatoes, diced
• 3 cups finely chopped fresh kale
• 1 (13.5 oz) can full-fat coconut milk
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the sausage: Heat a large Dutch oven or stock pot over medium heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil. Once hot, add the ground sausage and break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, drain and set aside.

2. Cook the bacon: Add the diced bacon to the pot and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once cooked, remove the bacon and set aside, leaving 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot.

3. Sauté the vegetables: Add the diced onion, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper to the pot. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onions are softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.

4. Bring to a boil: Pour the chicken bone broth into the pot, stirring as you pour. Increase the heat to medium-high to bring the soup to a boil. Add the diced potatoes and cook until they are fork-tender, about 15 minutes.

5. Simmer the soup: Add the cooked sausage, most of the bacon (reserve some for garnish if desired), chopped kale, and coconut milk to the pot. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the kale is tender, about 5 minutes.

6. Season and serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Top with the remaining bacon pieces and serve warm.

Notes:

• For a Whole30 version, use homemade Italian sausage (without sugar) and ensure the bacon is sugar-free.
• If using turkey bacon, be sure to add fat to the pan before cooking since turkey bacon is leaner.
• Dice the potatoes into 1-inch pieces for even cooking.
• Adjust salt and pepper to taste; depending on the chicken broth, you may need more or less salt.

This comforting soup combines savory sausage, crispy bacon, creamy coconut milk, and nutritious kale for a satisfying meal that's sure to warm you up!