Keto Zuppa with Bacon and Spinach

Name: Keto Zuppa with Bacon and Spinach
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb bulk Italian sausage (hot or mild), casings removed; 6 bacon strips, chopped; 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 cup heavy cream; 4 cups fresh baby spinach; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground

A low-carb take on zuppa toscana featuring Italian sausage, crispy bacon, and spinach in a garlicky cream broth with no potatoes. Hearty and satisfying with only a few net carbs per bowl.

40 minEasyServes 4430 cal/serving

AmericanSoupStovetopKetoLow CarbHigh ProteinGluten-FreeEgg-FreeNut-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

1 lb bulk Italian sausage (hot or mild), casings removed
6 bacon strips, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
4 cups fresh baby spinach
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

1

In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook 6 chopped bacon strips until crispy, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pot.
2

Add 1 lb bulk Italian sausage (hot or mild) (casings removed) to the pot and cook, breaking it into crumbles, until no pink remains and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), about 6 minutes. Transfer to the plate with the bacon.
3

Add 1 medium diced yellow onion to the pot and cook in the remaining fat until softened, about 4 minutes. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes and cook 1 minute more.
4

Pour in 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in 1 cup heavy cream.
5

Return the sausage and most of the bacon to the pot. Simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
6

Add 4 cups fresh baby spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Serve topped with the reserved crispy bacon.

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Questions

What internal temperature should Keto Zuppa with Bacon and Spinach reach?

For Keto Zuppa with Bacon and Spinach, the target internal temperature is 160 F (about 70 C), given in step 2. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

What can I use instead of heavy cream in Keto Zuppa with Bacon and Spinach?

The entry for Keto Zuppa with Bacon and Spinach calls for 1 cup heavy cream. In its place: In sauces and soups, use half-and-half with a teaspoon of cornstarch per cup, or evaporated milk. Neither will whip.

Can I use plain ground pork instead of Italian sausage in Keto Zuppa with Bacon and Spinach?

Yes. Season each pound of ground pork with a teaspoon of fennel seed, a teaspoon of paprika, two cloves of garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes. As written, the entry for Keto Zuppa with Bacon and Spinach uses 1 lb bulk Italian sausage (hot or mild), casings removed.

Is Keto Zuppa with Bacon and Spinach spicy?

Moderately. The heat in Keto Zuppa with Bacon and Spinach comes from 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes. For a milder plate, halve the red pepper flakes; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Is Keto Zuppa with Bacon and Spinach low-carb?

A serving of Keto Zuppa with Bacon and Spinach carries 6 g of carbohydrate, 1 g of it fiber. Against a strict 20 g keto day that is 30 percent of the budget; against a moderate 100 g low-carb day it is 6 percent.

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