Low Carb Stovetop Zuppa Toscana (My BEST Lean & Green Version)

A Simple, Flavorful & Delicious
Bowl of Soup❣️

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds Italian Chicken Sausage*

3 cups radishes (cut into bite sized chunks)

1/2 cup chopped leeks or green onions

1/2 cup chopped red, orange or yellow bell pepper

4 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups chicken  or vegetable broth (or mixture of both)

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)

2 cups baby kale**

1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt***

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (4 tablespoons reduced fat Parmesan)

Method:

Remove the sausage from the casing and cook in a large pot or Dutch oven, stirring to break apart as it browns. Drain the fat, but do not wipe the bottom of the pan clean. Set the sausage aside.

Add the green onion and bell pepper. Sauté for a few minutes and then add the garlic. Continue to sauté for 2 more minutes. Return the sausage to the pot. Stir in the broth, radishes and spices. Bring to a slow boil and then simmer until the radishes become tender. (about 20 minutes) 

Stir in the kale and yogurt. Simmer until heated through, being careful not to boil.

Makes 8 cups ~ Four (2 cup) servings. Garnish each serving with 1 1/2 teaspoons grated regular Parmesan cheese or 1 tablespoon reduced fat Parmesan.

*I used Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Chicken Italian Sausage. I removed the casing and then chopped the sausage into bite sized pieces.

**I purchased a baby spinach & baby kale salad mix. I used the kale for this recipe and saved the spinach for another recipe. 

***If you are following a lowfat meal plan, you may use low fat or fat free yogurt.

Nutritional info per serving (with leeks), approximately:  335 calories ~ 14 grams fat ~ 14.7 grams carbs ~ 11.36 grams net carbs ~ 39 grams protein

Each serving equals: 1 lean, 3 greens & 3 condiments

Notes: The Olive Garden's Zuppe Toscano is one of my favorites and this Lean & Green version is even better than the original! (The radishes taste like potatoes.) Precooked bowtie pasta or other noodles may be added, if you are serving this to children or others who require additional carbs.