Reviewed: Oct. 9, 2008

I wanted to try this in the restaurant but my family and I do not eat pork. I used beef smoked sausage, finely diced and omitted the bacon. This had a really good flavor. The reason I did not give it 5 stars is because it was not as thick as I thought it should be. I will make this again.

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MSWESTCOAST

Cooking Level: Expert

Home Town: Pomona, California, USA

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Reviewed: Oct. 8, 2008

I loved this soup! The only change I made was to use vegan sausage and bacon, other than that I left the recipe alone. And it was delicious! I say, just try it once and you'll love it!

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slkbb03

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Reviewed: Oct. 5, 2008

Awesome! I had lots of people asking for the recipe!!!

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JESSIEJGTDK

Cooking Level: Expert

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Reviewed: Sep. 25, 2008

Phenominal. I've made this recipe for a number of years and I swear it gets better every time. I occasionally switch up the type of sausage I use and mix it up that way. I made this for a christmas soup one year and my mother is positively addicted. If I dont make it for her atleast once per year she gets upset with me. It is very much like a famous "...garden" restaurant's recipe, but I much prefer this version. A hint for those who have households that have mixed hot/mild tastes - use a little ground red pepper flakes in the ones who like it hot's bowl and nix those from the mild version.

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Jenn L

Cooking Level: Expert

Living In: Portland, Maine, USA

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Reviewed: Sep. 18, 2008

i have ate this soup at the resturant and it is very close to the real soup very good easy to make

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margaret

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Reviewed: Sep. 14, 2008

I love this soup! It's very quick and easy to make. I have used bagged spinach leaves instead of kale a few times and couldn't tell the difference. Even my picky eaters enjoy this.

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gvalt

Cooking Level: Intermediate

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Reviewed: Aug. 23, 2008

I used turkey kielbasa instead of smoked sausage, and I browned it before adding it to the soup to enhance the flavor and color. I cooked the kale in the bacon drippings with some of the onion and the garlic, and simmered it with the potatoes rather than waiting until the last 4 minutes to add it. I also used about 1 cup of cream (got a bit carried away with that, but it still tasted great!).

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caligirl2001

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: San Diego, California, USA

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Reviewed: Aug. 18, 2008

Great! I made a few changes. I cut up the bacon then fried it, I hate frying then crumbling bacon (so messy!). I also added more cream. I didn't have soup base, so I used bouillon. I found I had to cook the kale longer than 4 minutes. Excellent leftovers for lunch!

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STEPHER11

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Reviewed: Aug. 15, 2008

This recipe is really great. i like to add a bit more kale

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Ryans Kitchen

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Rigby, Idaho, USA

Living In: Owings Mills, Maryland, USA

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Reviewed: Jul. 9, 2008

This was very tasty! My rating isn't very fair because I did have to alter the recipe a little to accommodate dietary restrictions (no pork). I used 1 pound soy sausage and omitted the bacon. I sauteed the onion and then added the garlic... I doubled the broth (as we like a lot of soup) and cooked the potatoes until tender. Added the "soysauge", kale, and cream and simmered for 10 minutes. Seasoned with freshly ground black pepper, salt and a dash of chili powder. It was delicious - even more so the next day (soups almost always taste better the next day).

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Serena

Cooking Level: Expert

Living In: San Diego, California, USA

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Reviewed: Jul. 7, 2008

I like to pan cook the sausage instead of bake. I also just get the hot sausage instead of adding crushed red peppers (although I have been known to sprinkle in some more). The picture attached looks like it has way to much kale. I do not use as much. Also, two-three pieces of bacon suffice. Otherwise, this is one of my favorite soups to make at home and to eat at you know where. If only I could make those bread sticks!

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Hurley's Handouts

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Reviewed: Jun. 16, 2008

My family weren't fans, but it had good flavor. I don't discourage people from trying it. I just think that it didn't meet my family's taste.

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Sugarbear

Cooking Level: Intermediate

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Reviewed: Jun. 2, 2008

It's didn't quite live up to my expectations, but it wasn't a bad recipe. Next time I will increase the cream to 1/2 cup, remove all steams, and add salt & pepper to taste.

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Jennifer

Cooking Level: Beginning

Home Town: Enterprise, Alabama, USA

Living In: Montgomery, Alabama, USA

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Reviewed: May 19, 2008

I was so thrilled to find my absolute favorite soup on the internet!! However, I made a quick change. Instead of using 12 slices of bacon, I used 10 1/8" slices of Boar's Head Pancetta. I fried this up and cooked with the onions. Oh, my goodness, it was absolutely delicious and my family can't wait until I make it again. Just wish I could make Chicken Marsala like Carraba's does and would truly feel like a gourmet.

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kittymom

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Reviewed: May 13, 2008

This soup tastes just like olive gardens. It is sooooooo good! I made a few changes, by adding ground italian pork sausage i found at my supermarket. It was still really good. Thanks for the great recipe!

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Sweet Southern Charm

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Irmo, South Carolina, USA

Living In: Columbia, South Carolina, USA

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Reviewed: May 4, 2008

I can't believe how good this recipe is. Can't wait to make it again.

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sklenz

Living In: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

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Reviewed: May 3, 2008

WOW!! Incredible flavor! I've never had the OG version, but those that I've served it to that have say it is "spot on"! Used bulk italian sausage and omitted bacon (don't like chewy, soggy bacon in soup)-husband says his new fave!! Can't wait to make again!

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DRFISH

Cooking Level: Expert

Living In: Danville, Indiana, USA

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Reviewed: Apr. 17, 2008

I followed OMAHA's crock pot recipe on this one and it is incredible! It tastes EXACTLY like your favorite soup at that famous italian restaurant we're all looking for. The only thing I did differently was add a little water to tone down the saltiness but other than that it was great! The advice to add the cream in the bowl and pour the soup on top was perfect, that way you don't have to worry about it curdling in the crock pot.

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Brent

Cooking Level: Intermediate

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Reviewed: Mar. 20, 2008

I recently made this soup, and my husband and I loved it! I did make a few changes. I used browned bulk sweet Italian sausage (couldn't find spicy, but I just added some red pepper flakes) and sauted the onion in the bacon grease. I used chicken broth, and cooked all of it except the bacon and cream for about 6 hours on low in the slow cooker. The kale held up really well even after hours of cooking, and it all cooked down a bit. Then, right before serving, I added a little 2% milk and some crumbled bacon to each bowl. It was still creamy enough (and healthier), and the bacon was still crispy. Awesome recipe!

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