Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana is a medley of vegan protein and vegetables simmered in vegetable broth and seasoned perfectly. It’s a warm one pot meal for all ages and for any work weeknight.
I know that Olive garden is famous for its Zuppa Toscana but I wanted to come up with my version of it. I endeavored on making this zuppa Toscana soup in a vegan version which then I decided to go for gluten free ingredients and finally came up with a version that would fit almost all diet types. However, I wanted to add pantry ingredients at the same time.
Originally this Toscana soup is made with sausage and it can be substituted with vegan sausage. But I wanted to bring similar comforting taste with the addition of vegan proteins that were sitting in my pantry. I narrowed it down to chickpeas and red kidney beans.
I realized it was very easy and healthier. Moreover, my family loved it and my 3rd grader picky eater ate a full bowl of this vegan zuppa toscana for her lunch.
Therefore, I decided to share my interpretation of this zuppa soup with you all because after all we want to make the same original recipes with easier ingredients and in just few steps and most importantly healthier.
Ingredients for Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana
For the soup
Vegetable broth
Red kidney beans
Chickpeas/garbanzo beans
Potatoes
Fennel seeds
Salt
Black pepper
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Chili powder
Nutritional yeast
Carrots
Kale
For cashew cream
Raw cashew nuts
Dairy free milk
I have used these easily available ingredients in this recipe which you may buy form any local grocery store. However, I have provided links to few of them here for your convenience.
If you plan to buy from these affiliate links then I get a small commission which in turn encourages me to bring out more delicious recipes for you all.
Ingredients notes:
- Vegetable broth – this is important in here because it brings out the right and perfect flavor of the soup. Moreover, it’s a base of many soup recipes.
- Kidney beans – it is high in protein and has complex carbohydrates. I used this pantry staple in here to make this soup easy and desirable.
- Chickpeas – it is again a pantry staple and vegan protein. My kids prefer beans over most of the vegan proteins so this worked out excellent for us.
- Nutritional yeast – this substitute well for parmesan cheese and brings out a nice cheesy flavor and texture in this recipe. It also adds some nutrition to this soup.
- Cashew nuts – instead of using full fat dairy free milk like (coconut milk), I decided to go with cashew cream. This gave a nice subtle nutty flavor to this soup recipe instead of making it very coconuty. Moreover, it adds a bit more nutrition with healthy fats in this zuppa soup recipe.
How to make Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana
Firstly, I combined all the soup ingredients in the inner pot of the instant pot. Then, I closed the lid and sealed the valve. Next, I turned it on at high for 15 minutes.
In the meanwhile, I blended the cashew cream ingredients in a blender and kept it aside.
Once, the soup was cooked I released its pressure and opened the lid. Then, I stirred in cashew cream and served it warm.
We heartily ate our warm bowls of soup and enjoyed every bite of it. Its easy and quick to make. Since I used the pantry ingredients this Zuppa Toscana recipe can be in a short notice.
Its healthy, wholesome and comforting for the cool weather.
Expert tips:
- I would highly recommend using a high-powered blender to blend cashew cream. The smoother and creamier it is the tastier soup will be.
- 2 regular sized gold potatoes equal to 1 cup peeled and chopped potatoes.
- Do not let the soup cook when stirring in cashew cream.
I am sure you all must be drooling over it by now. Its one of our recent favorite and I made it easy and simple for you so that you may enjoy it every day of the week.
This soup tastes best when hot. You may refrigerate it for a week.
If you want to freeze it then freeze it without the cashew cream. Simply cook it in the instant pot and freeze in a freezer friendly container. When ready to use, warm it well and stir in cashew cream.
I made it absolutely oil free and gluten free. I did not use any flour or any thickener. It is made with simple and healthy whole food ingredients in just few simple steps. It is low in calories and low in fat too. Therefore, this Zuppa Toscana is for sure healthier since it has sufficient protein, complex carbohydrates and good fats.
Yes, absolutely. Combine all the ingredients in stock pot or a Dutch oven and cook covered at medium-high heat. Once the potatoes are soft and cooked. Turn it off and stir in cashew cream.
I have not personally tried it with vegan sausage but I have tried it with tempeh bacon. Chop tempeh bacon into small bits and garnish this soup with it just before serving.
We like it with garlic jalapeno oatmeal dinner roll.
I would insist you on trying this Zuppa Toscana soup recipe ASAP because I am sure you must be having all these ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator.
You may also like:
Vegan Cauliflower Soup
Instant Pot Pasta e Fagioli Soup
Potato Corn Chowder
Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Soup
Cilantro Tofu Soup
Other instant pot recipes that you may like:
Coconut Rice
Herb Masala Lentil Curry
Did you make it?
If you get a chance to make this recipe then please leave your feedback in the comments below along with the ratings. In addition, you may tag @kiipfit on Instagram with your recipe images because we would love to see what you cooked.
If you desire to explore more delicious recipes of mine then you may checkout my cookbooks.
Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana
Ingredients
for the soup
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 15 oz canned red kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 15 oz canned chickpeas/garbanzo beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 cup peeled and chopped potatoes
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tsp salt or as per taste
- 1 tsp crushed black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 1 1/2 cups baby kale
For cashew cream
- 1/2 cup raw cashew nuts
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dairy free milk
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients for the soup in the inner pot of the instant pot. Stir and close the lid. Seal the valve and turn it on at manual mode high for 15 minutes. Once done, release the pressure and open the lid. Stir again.
- In a blender combine the ingredients for cashew cream and blend it smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the cashew cream to the soup (do not cook the soup at this point). Serve it hot.
Notes
- We do not need to soak cashew nuts for this recipe. We can use it directly.
- I used oat milk for the cashew cream for a creamier texture. However, you may use any dairy free milk of your choice.
- There is no added oil in this recipe so if you make your own vegetable broth without oil this recipe would be absolutely oil free.
- For stove top option: Combine all the soup ingredients in a stockpot/Dutch oven and cook it covered at medium-high flame for abut 10-15 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and cooked. Turn it off and stir in cashew cream and enjoy.
- This can refrigerate in an air tight container for about a week.
- To freeze: Cook this soup and do not add the cashew cream at this stage. Cool it down completely to room temperature and seal it in a freezer friendly container. Freeze it for about a month. When ready to sue it warm it up nicely until few boils. Turn it off and stir in cashew cream. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Chandice says
Such an amazing soup to make and much easier than you would think! Tastes like Olive Garden but you don’t have to leave the house…
Neha Khanuja says
Wow this Zuppa Toscana looks so good and super easy to make, I had no clue! I can’t wait to try this recipe out!
Gunjan says
Thank you Neha!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
What a delicious and inspiring recipe! I love that it’s vegan and done in the instant pot! All those veggies are such a great addition to making this not even more delicious but so much more healthy!
Ramona says
I love how this meal is plant based and mostly made up of vegetables, so healthy and I’m here for it! i wanted to make this for me and my family soon for dinner and now I’m eager too. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Eileen Kelly says
My family has requested more plant based meals so I made this soup. Wow, its delicious. The family loved it and I loved how easy it is to prepare too. They have asked for it to be made again this week.
kerri says
Zuppa Toscana is my favorite soup and I’m thrilled to find a recipe to make it in the Instant Pot. This makes it even easier!
Gunjan says
Hope you get a chance to make it soon 🙂
Shelley says
Wow – I’m really impressed with all the careful thought and planning and testing that went into creating this recipe! How awesome that you managed to harness the beloved flavors of Zuppa Toscana, but in a version that’s gluten free … and vegan. And also uses common pantry ingredients and all the time savings of the Instant Pot. This seriously check ALLLLLL the boxes!
Gunjan says
Thank you Shelley!