This Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup will turn up the heat on those cold days. There is so much flavor in this soup with Italian sausage, tons of seasonings, and a parmesan rind, you can even add red pepper flakes for an extra kick!
You might also like this Tuscan White Bean Soup, this Italian Meatball Soup or this Sausage Orzo Soup!
Table of Contents
Hearty soups are one of my absolute favorite things during the winter months.
We’ve long been lovers of our Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe, so this tomato-based Italian sausage version was bound to be delicious and it does not disappoint!
With a delicious tomato base, this soup is filled with spicy Italian sausage, fresh garlic, warming chicken broth, a parmesan rind, and yummy Gnocchi. Finished off with fresh spinach leaves for a pop of green, it’s so irresistible.
Give me a bowl of spicy steamy Italian sausage soup with gnocchi and some Homemade Garlic Bread, and I’m good. 🥰
This easy soup recipe is super quick to make — it’s on the dinner table in just 25 minutes. It’s perfect for lunch or a quick weeknight dinner for the whole family.
If you’re a fan of Italian pork sausage, then you’ll love this delicious Baked Gnocchi with Sausage, or this Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage, and you’ll definitely want to try this Creamy Chipotle and Italian Sausage Lasagna!
If you love tomato-based soups, try this Easy Alphabet Soup or this Tomato Tortellini Soup next!
Ingredients Needed:
- Onion and Garlic: this classic combination creates a great flavor base. Use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor.
- Italian Sausage: use your favorite mild or hot Italian sausage.
- Tomato Paste and Tomato Sauce: they will thicken the soup and add to the savory flavor
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper are what I use — feel free to add in additional herbs as you see fit!
- All-Purpose Flour: this will help thicken the soup slightly.
- Chicken Broth: I prefer to use a low sodium chicken broth as it allows me to control the saltiness of the dish. If you use regular chicken broth, add salt to taste.
- Gnocchi: no need to cook it first! The gnocchi cooks right in the soup.
- Cheese: a parmesan cheese rind will soften and melt into the soup, giving it an amazing umami flavor.
- Red Pepper Flakes: optional to add a bit more heat!
- Spinach: fresh spinach leaves will add a great texture, nutrition, and color to the dish!
How to Make Sausage Gnocchi Soup
This hearty gnocchi soup is quick and easy to make. The full recipe is included in the recipe card below.
- Cook sausage: Sauté onion and Italian sausage until browned.
- Add tomato paste and seasonings: Mix in the tomato paste, garlic, flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Add other ingredients: Stir in the broth, gnocchi, tomato sauce, and parmesan rind. Simmer, then cover and reduce heat.
- Add spinach: Stir in spinach and serve.
Sausage Gnocchi Soup FAQs
Gnocchi is often referred to as pasta, although it is more accurately described as mini dumplings. It has a soft texture and tastes more like plain pasta than potatoes when it is cooked. It is most commonly made with potatoes as the main ingredient, mixed with flour, eggs, and sometimes even cheese. You can pick some up in the dried pasta aisle at your local grocery store.
In the U.S., Italian sausage is a flavorful pork sausage meat that is mixed with fennel seed or anise and often other spices like paprika and red chili flakes.
Store this recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Allow it to cool to room temperature before putting it in the fridge.
This sausage gnocchi soup freezes well for up to 3 months. Store cooled soup it in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag, and store it in the freezer. Defrost thoroughly before reheating on the stove top or in the microwave.
*Keep in mind that gnocchi will be softer after freezing and thawing — if you like more texture, you can add the gnocchi just before serving.
Tips and Notes
- The soup will thicken. The soup may thicken slightly as it cools down, so add in some extra broth if you need to before serving, or after reheating it from being in the fridge.
- Use fresh garlic. Use fresh garlic that you have minced yourself for the best flavor.
- Customize it. Change the sausage meat type, add in some veggies, or use a different pasta. Make this dish your own! See below for variation ideas.
Soup Variations
- Sausages. You can use another type of sausage meat if you have it to hand, like turkey sausage. Mix it with fennel seeds and paprika, for a similar Italian sausage taste.
- Carbs. Instead of Gnocchi, you can use any type of pasta to make this dish super filling. Orzo pasta, ziti, elbow macaroni, shell pasta, or ravioli are great.
- Broth. I like to use a low sodium chicken broth for this recipe, but you can use beef broth if you have it to hand instead.
- Make it veggie. You can use a vegetarian sausage option and vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make this soup vegetarian. Alternatively, sauté the onion with a can of white beans like chickpeas or cannellini beans for your protein.
- Add in veggies. Add in more veggies like carrots, celery, red bell pepper, or zucchini to bulk it up and make enough to feed the entire family!
- Spice it up. Use red pepper flakes or chili powder in this soup for some added heat.
- Make it creamy. Add some heavy cream to make this soup a bit creamy. Alternatively, omit the tomato paste and tomato sauce and use white wine and heavy cream to make a creamy Italian soup recipe!
- Fresh leaves. Fresh spinach leaves are great for this soup, but you can use fresh basil or fresh parsley leaves for something different if you prefer.
- Cheese. Serve topped with some freshly grated parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese.
Serving Suggestions
This Italian Sausage Gnocchi soup is hearty and filling, I love having some bread on the side. My Garlic Bread, Garlic & Herb Dinner Rolls would go wonderfully with these Italian flavors, or try my Homemade Breadsticks.
Turn this great recipe into a complete meal with delicious sides like Air Fryer Broccoli, Roasted Carrots, or Air Fryer Green Beans.
More Soup Recipes to Try
Sausage Gnocchi Soup
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 375 grams Italian sausage ground mild or spicy
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3½ cups gnocchi 500 grams
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 parmesan rind
- 2 cups spinach chopped
Instructions
- Place a large pot or dutch oven on medium heat, and add the onion and Italian sausage. Cook and stir until browned, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste, minced garlic, flour, Italian seasoning, salt, and red pepper flakes (optional). Stir and cook on medium heat for 1-2 minutes.
- Add broth, gnocchi, tomato sauce, and parmesan rind. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until gnocchi is tender, about 4-5 minutes.
- Stir in spinach and serve as desired.
Notes
- Fridge: Store this recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Allow it to cool to room temperature before putting it in the fridge.
- Freeze: This sausage gnocchi soup freezes well for up to 3 months. Store cooled soup it in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag, and store it in the freezer. Defrost thoroughly before reheating.
Nutrition Information
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Nancy Noyes says
Such great flavor. I did add red chili flakes. It’s a nice kick😵💫
Ashley Fehr says
I’m glad you liked it Nancy!
Christina A Musser says
Can I make this in the crock pot??
Michele B says
So so good! Made it for lunch at our office and everyone loved it! Added a little heavy cream at the end…so creamy and yummy.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Michele! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
CC says
I was lucky to find gluten free gnocchi for my Celiac family member. I’m going to add some more veggies and throw in a couple of tiny meatballs for dinner. Always excited to find good gf options.
The Recipe Rebel says
Great to hear!