If you’re craving a comforting and hearty bowl of soup that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, this Sausage Gnocchi Soup Recipe is exactly what you need. Loaded with tender Italian sausage, pillowy gnocchi, and vibrant vegetables simmered in a creamy, flavorful broth, it’s an easy-to-make dish that manages to be both satisfying and elegant. Each spoonful delivers rich savory notes, a touch of herbaceous warmth, and a velvety texture that will have you coming back for seconds—this soup truly hits all the right cozy food buttons.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, wholesome ingredients is key to creating a stunning bowl of this soup. Each component plays an essential role to build layers of flavor, provide texture, or bring in a pop of color that makes every bite exciting and well-rounded.
- Olive oil: Adds a smooth base to start cooking and helps brown the sausage beautifully.
- Ground Italian sausage: The star protein providing robust, savory flavor and satisfying heartiness.
- Diced yellow onion: Offers sweetness and depth once softened.
- Diced celery: Contributes subtle earthiness and slight crunch to the vegetable medley.
- Diced carrot: Brings gentle sweetness and bright color contrast.
- Minced garlic: Infuses aromatic warmth that enhances everything around it.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps create that perfect silky mouthfeel in the broth.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and brighten the flavors.
- Italian seasoning, dried parsley, oregano, thyme: A blend of herbs that lifts the taste, making it distinctly comforting and rustic.
- All-purpose flour: Thickens the soup for a luscious, creamy consistency.
- Reduced-sodium chicken broth: Forms the savory, flavorful liquid foundation without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Whole milk: Adds creaminess and softens the intensity of the broth.
- Heavy cream: Elevates the richness, rounding out the soup perfectly.
- Gnocchi (preferably refrigerated): The delightful little potato dumplings that soak up all the flavors and provide a tender, chewy texture.
- Kale or baby spinach: Adds freshness, color, and a nutritious green boost to the bowl.
- Fresh thyme (optional): For a beautiful herb garnish that complements the soup’s flavors.
- Hearty buttered bread (optional): Ideal for sopping up every last bit of the delicious broth.
How to Make Sausage Gnocchi Soup Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Sausage
Begin by heating olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the ground Italian sausage, letting it sear for about a minute on each side to develop a deep, caramelized crust. Then crumble the meat and cook until it’s browned all over—this browning is crucial because it builds a rich foundation of flavor for the soup. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked sausage to a plate lined with paper towels, leaving a couple of tablespoons of the flavorful fat in the pot to cook your veggies.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
Next, add the diced onion, celery, and carrot to the pot and gently cook them for 7 to 9 minutes. This slow softening lifts natural sweetness and softens the texture without losing that slight bite. Add minced garlic last and cook it for just 30 seconds, stirring constantly to avoid burning but to release that fragrant aroma that excites your senses.
Step 3: Season and Add Butter
Sprinkle in salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, parsley, oregano, and thyme—this herb combination will transform your soup from simple to soul-warming. Stir everything together for about 15 seconds to toast the herbs a little, then add the butter. Stir until melted and enveloping the vegetables with its silky richness.
Step 4: Build the Soup Base
Sprinkle the flour evenly over the veggies and whisk constantly for one full minute. This step cooks out the raw flour taste and begins thickening your broth. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while whisking to keep everything smooth and lump-free. Once the broth is incorporated, gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, then bring the whole pot up to a gentle boil to start melding those flavors together beautifully.
Step 5: Finish with Gnocchi, Greens, and Sausage
Lower the heat to medium and add the gnocchi along with your choice of kale or baby spinach and the cooked sausage. Simmer gently for 2 to 4 minutes, just until the gnocchi is tender and the greens have softened but still hold some bite. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
How to Serve Sausage Gnocchi Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle fresh thyme delicately over bowls to add a lovely herbaceous aroma and an inviting pop of green color. A final grind of black pepper on top can elevate the flavor, making the experience even more memorable with every spoonful.
Side Dishes
This soup shines paired with slices of hearty buttered bread or crusty rolls to dip and mop up the creamy broth—you want something with enough sturdiness to complement the soup’s thickness and carry those amazing flavors right to your taste buds.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special touch when hosting friends or family, ladle the soup into rustic ceramic bowls and place a small sprig of thyme on top. You can also drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil or a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the surface just before serving. It brings a subtle richness and makes the dish feel a bit gourmet while staying comforting and approachable.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen over time, so you might find it tastes even better the next day. Give it a gentle stir before reheating, as the gnocchi tends to settle at the bottom.
Freezing
This Sausage Gnocchi Soup Recipe freezes well but gnocchi can sometimes become softer after thawing. If you plan to freeze, consider cooking the gnocchi separately and adding it fresh when reheating. Freeze the soup base in well-sealed containers for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If it has thickened too much in the fridge, add a splash of milk or broth to loosen it back up and maintain that creamy consistency you love.
FAQs
Can I use different types of sausage for this recipe?
Absolutely! While Italian sausage works beautifully for its seasoning, you can experiment with spicy sausage for a kick or even chicken sausage for a lighter version without compromising the soup’s rich flavor.
Is it okay to substitute spinach for kale?
Yes, spinach is a wonderful substitute and cooks even faster, giving a slightly milder flavor that pairs nicely with the rich broth and sausage. Just add it a little later in the cooking process to avoid it getting too wilted.
Do I need to brown the sausage well?
Definitely. Browning develops deep flavors and adds a lovely caramelized note that’s essential in making your soup taste irresistible rather than just bland or one-dimensional.
Can I make this soup dairy-free?
Yes! Swap the milk and heavy cream for creamy coconut milk or your favorite plant-based milk, and use a dairy-free butter alternative. The texture may vary slightly but will still be delicious.
What type of gnocchi should I use?
Refrigerated gnocchi is ideal as it holds up well in soup without falling apart quickly. Avoid frozen gnocchi as it tends to get too soft during simmering, resulting in a mushy texture.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about making and sharing a cozy bowl of this Sausage Gnocchi Soup Recipe. It’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough to serve for guests when you want to wow without stress. Give it a try, and let this comforting, flavorful soup become a cherished staple in your kitchen rotation. You’ll find yourself smiling with every satisfying spoonful!
Print
Sausage Gnocchi Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Sausage Gnocchi Soup is a hearty and comforting dish featuring browned Italian sausage, tender gnocchi, and a medley of sautéed vegetables in a creamy, flavorful broth. Perfect for a cozy meal, this recipe balances savory herbs with the richness of cream and butter, finished with fresh kale and optional fresh thyme garnish.
Ingredients
Meat
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
Vegetables
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 3/4 cup diced celery
- 3/4 cup diced carrot
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 cups kale (or baby spinach, coarsely chopped)
Dairy
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
Pantry
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 (32-ounce) carton reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (12-ounce) package gnocchi (refrigerated if possible)
Optional
- Fresh thyme (for garnish)
- Hearty buttered bread (for serving)
Instructions
- Cook Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Add the Italian sausage and sear for about a minute per side to develop a deep brown color. Crumble the meat as it cooks until thoroughly browned. Remove the cooked sausage using a slotted spoon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving 2–3 tablespoons of grease in the pot. Drain any excess grease beyond that.
- Sauté Veggies: Add the diced onion, celery, and carrot to the pot with the reserved sausage grease. Cook the vegetables for 7–9 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become tender. Once softened, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly to release its aroma.
- Add Seasonings: Sprinkle in the salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, oregano, and thyme. Stir these herbs and spices into the vegetable mixture for about 15 seconds to blend the flavors. Then add the unsalted butter and stir until it melts completely.
- Make The Base: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the vegetables and whisk constantly for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in the reduced-sodium chicken broth while whisking continuously, creating a smooth and slightly thickened base. Next, slowly whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Finish Soup: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium to maintain a simmer. Add the refrigerated gnocchi, coarsely chopped kale (or baby spinach), and the cooked sausage back into the pot. Simmer everything together for 2–4 minutes, until the gnocchi are tender and the greens have softened. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh thyme if desired. Serve alongside hearty buttered bread to complete this comforting meal.
Notes
- Using refrigerated gnocchi is preferred as it tends to hold its shape better and cooks evenly in the soup. Fresh gnocchi can also be used but may require less cooking time.
- Be patient when sautéing the vegetables to ensure they soften properly and develop flavor, as undercooked veggies can affect the soup’s texture.
- For less fat, you can drain excess sausage grease carefully, but leaving 2–3 tablespoons adds depth and richness to the soup.
- If fresh thyme is not available, dried thyme can be used, but add it earlier with other dried herbs to allow the flavor to infuse.
- Hearty buttered bread or crusty rolls complement the soup well and help soak up the creamy broth.
