Does this title immediately make you think “Olive Garden,” or is that just me?

Don’t let it scare you. This is one of my favorite soups I’ve ever made and it is 100% the easiest one. Like, 20 minutes easy. I saw something similar on Pinterest recently and if I could find the link I would show you. I’m the worst Pinner. I get inspired but Pin almost nothing.

I was in DC for a few days last week for work and brought this with me to eat for dinner. Because again, why would I expense meals when I can pack stuff and have it spill all over my car?

Plus if I don’t bring food to the GS, I’m pretty sure he eats edamame, cinnamon rolls, and pretzels with cream cheese for dinner. And an occasional grilled cheese.

Doesn’t Olive Garden sound more appealing than that?

Zuppa Toscana

makes about 8 servings

1 lb hot Italian sausage

1 small sweet onion, chopped

2 boxes chicken stock

3-4 roasted red peppers, chopped

3-4 cups kale

1 lb gnocchi (I used whole wheat sweet potato)

1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)

First brown the sausage. You shouldn’t need to add any oil to this, but if you decide to swap for turkey sausage or something I would add a little bit.

When the sausage is starting to cook, add your chopped onion. Bottle up that scent and send it to me.

Add the kale (it will seem like a lot, but it wilts) and roasted red peppers, then the chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Once it’s boiling, turn off the heat and add the gnocchi and the cream.

I thought about making my own gnocchi, but research tells me a potato ricer is a must and my landlords have expressed that we already have “too much sh!t in the kitchen.”

I also thought about making my own roasted red peppers, but red peppers cost like $18 each this time of year so I went with the jar.

Serve with fresh bread!

This reheats shockingly well. I thought the gnocchi might get soggy and gross but they held their texture really well. For having so few ingredients, it has SO much flavor.

Also in the food bag for that trip? A batch of overnight oats, these cookies, Greek yogurt and PB&J fixins, and some banana bread for the GS to bring to his office.

I have issues.