Creamy Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup Recipe
This Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup is rich, creamy, hearty, and packed with tender potato gnocchi, savory Italian sausage, spinach, garlic, and Parmesan. Everything comes together in one pot for an easy comfort-food dinner that tastes like something you'd order at a cozy Italian restaurant.
With Italian sausage gnocchi soup currently surging in Google Trends, this is a strong addition to your soup collection.
What Does Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup Taste Like?
Think of this as the ultimate combination of creamy potato soup and Italian sausage soup.
The gnocchi become soft and pillowy while the sausage adds a savory, slightly spicy flavor to the creamy Parmesan broth. Spinach cuts through some of the richness and gives the soup a little freshness.
Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 lb Italian sausage, mild or hot
1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 package (16 oz) potato gnocchi
2 cups fresh baby spinach
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Fresh parsley, for garnish
Extra Parmesan, for serving
How to Make Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup
1. Brown the sausage
Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook for about 6–8 minutes, breaking it into bite-sized crumbles as it browns.
If your sausage is very lean, add a tablespoon of olive oil. If there's excessive grease after cooking, drain some while leaving a little in the pot for flavor.
2. Cook the onion and garlic
Add the diced onion to the sausage and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
3. Create the creamy soup base
Sprinkle the flour over the sausage and onions. Stir well and cook for about 1 minute.
Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to prevent lumps.
Add the Italian seasoning, thyme, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Bring the soup to a gentle simmer.
4. Add the gnocchi
Add the potato gnocchi directly to the pot.
Simmer for approximately 4–6 minutes, or until the gnocchi are tender and begin floating toward the top.
Don't overcook them or they can become overly soft.
5. Make it creamy
Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Continue cooking for another 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts and the broth becomes rich and creamy.
Avoid letting the soup rapidly boil once you've added the cream.
6. Add the spinach
Stir in the baby spinach and cook for about 1–2 minutes, just until wilted.
Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
7. Serve
Ladle the soup into bowls and finish with freshly grated Parmesan, cracked black pepper, and chopped parsley.
Serve warm with garlic bread, crusty Italian bread, breadsticks, or a simple side salad.
Variations
Add kale: Replace the spinach with chopped kale and give it a few extra minutes to soften.
Add mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onions.
Make it extra cheesy: Increase the Parmesan to ¾ cup.
Add sun-dried tomatoes: Stir chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the finished soup for a tangy, savory addition.
Add vegetables: Carrots, celery, or zucchini can make the soup even heartier.
What to Serve With Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup
Because this soup is already filling, simple sides work best:
Garlic bread
Toasted sourdough
Breadsticks
Caesar salad
Italian chopped salad
Roasted broccoli
Roasted green beans
Mild vs. Hot Italian Sausage
Either works.
Mild Italian sausage creates a family-friendly soup with plenty of savory flavor.
Hot Italian sausage adds more heat and works especially well against the creamy broth.
You can also use half mild and half hot sausage.
Can I Use Frozen Gnocchi?
Yes. Refrigerated, shelf-stable, and frozen potato gnocchi can all work.
You generally don't need to boil the gnocchi separately. Cooking it directly in the soup also releases some starch, which helps thicken the broth.
For frozen gnocchi, you may need to add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time.
How to Make the Soup Thicker
The soup naturally thickens from the flour, Parmesan, and starch released by the gnocchi.
For an even thicker soup, let it gently simmer for a few extra minutes before serving.
Keep in mind that Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup gets noticeably thicker as it sits, especially after refrigeration.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow the soup to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.
Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
The gnocchi will continue absorbing broth while refrigerated, so leftover soup will be much thicker.
When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or cream until it reaches your preferred consistency.
FAQs
Do you cook gnocchi before adding it to soup?
No. The gnocchi can cook directly in the soup. This saves time and helps thicken the broth slightly.
How do I know when gnocchi is cooked?
Gnocchi typically float toward the surface when they're nearly finished. They should be tender but still hold their shape.
Can I make Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup without heavy cream?
Yes. Half-and-half will create a lighter soup, although it won't be quite as rich.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, but gnocchi absorb liquid as they sit. For the best texture, make the soup base ahead of time and cook the gnocchi shortly before serving.
Is Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup spicy?
Not necessarily. Mild Italian sausage creates a relatively mild soup. Use hot sausage and red pepper flakes if you want more heat.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup is an easy one-pot dinner for fall and winter. Tender gnocchi, browned Italian sausage, spinach, Parmesan, and a creamy seasoned broth make it hearty enough to serve as a complete meal.
If you're craving something warm and filling without spending hours in the kitchen, this is an easy soup to put into the regular dinner rotation.