Zuppa Toscana (Stovetop)

Ingredients:

8 slices bacon cut into ¼-inch slices
1 ½ pounds bulk sweet Italian sausage
1 yellow onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 Yukon gold potatoes peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
1 ½ cups heavy cream
¼ cup dry white wine
3 cups chopped fresh baby spinach leaves
Chopped bacon, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Crusty baguettes for serving

Directions:

In a large Dutch oven set over medium heat, crisp the bacon. Place the bacon onto a plate lined with paper towel. Set aside. Transfer the rendered bacon fat to a heat-proof dish and refrigerate for later use.
8 slices bacon

Add the Italian sausage to the pot and cook until browned. Transfer the browned sausage to the plate with the bacon.
1 ½ pounds bulk sweet Italian sausage

Add the diced onion and cook until translucent and softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until garlic is fragrant and blooms.
1 yellow onion,2 cloves garlic

Add the chicken broth, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and potatoes. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer the soup until the potatoes are cooked through, about 15 minutes.
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth,¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes,1 teaspoon kosher salt,½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper,4 Yukon gold potatoes

Add browned sausage, heavy cream, white wine, and spinach to the soup. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed.
1 ½ cups heavy cream,¼ cup dry white wine,3 cups chopped fresh baby spinach leaves

If the soup is too thin, whisk together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with ¼ cup cold heavy cream and stir into the soup. Bring back to a low boil and cook for 1 minute, then reduce heat to low and simmer until the soup has reached the desired consistency.

Chop the crispy bacon and serve the soup. Top each bowl of soup with crispy bacon, sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley, and serve with a delicious, crusty chunk of bread.

I await your comments! Enjoy!