Description
This creamy Italian sausage gnocchi soup is the ultimate cold-weather comfort food, featuring pillowy gnocchi, savory sausage, fresh spinach, and a luscious garlic-herb broth. Quick and easy to make, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tbsp)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 16 oz potato gnocchi
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Extra Parmesan for sprinkling (optional)
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional)
- Crusty bread for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
- Lower heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and stir constantly for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any stuck bits from the pot. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors. Add potato gnocchi and simmer for another 5-6 minutes, until gnocchi float to the top and are tender.
- Lower heat to very low. Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until cheese melts and soup is creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in baby spinach and cook just until wilted, about 1 minute.
- Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with extra Parmesan and parsley, and serve hot with crusty bread.
Notes
Brown the sausage thoroughly for maximum flavor. Don’t overcook the gnocchi; as soon as they float, check for tenderness. Add cream at the end and keep heat low to prevent separation. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. For gluten-free, use gluten-free gnocchi and check sausage ingredients. Soup thickens as it sits; add extra broth when reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 cups per serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 980
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 39
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 17
Keywords: gnocchi soup, Italian sausage soup, creamy soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, winter soup, family dinner, one-pot meal