Description
Hearty Italian Sausage and Gnocchi Soup delivers authentic Mediterranean comfort in one delightful bowl. Savory sausage, pillowy gnocchi, and rich broth combine for a soul-warming meal that transports you straight to an Italian kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
Vegetables:
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups fresh spinach
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 4 cups (32 fluid ounces / 946 milliliters) chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 (15-ounce / 443 milliliters) can chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Starch:
- 1 pound gnocchi
Optional Garnishes:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Brown the Italian sausage in a large pot with olive oil over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles until fully cooked and golden. Transfer the sausage to a separate plate.
- In the same pot, reduce heat to medium and sauté diced onions and carrots until they become tender and slightly translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 60 seconds, releasing its aromatic essence.
- Incorporate tomato paste and stir for one minute to deepen the flavor profile.
- Pour in chicken broth, canned tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and return the cooked sausage to the pot. Allow the mixture to simmer gently.
- Introduce heavy cream to create a rich, velvety texture. Maintain a low simmer for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Carefully add gnocchi to the simmering soup, cooking until they float to the surface, which typically takes about 3 minutes.
- Remove the pot from heat and fold in fresh spinach, letting it wilt naturally from the residual warmth.
- Season with salt and black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Serve hot, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley and a bright lemon squeeze for added zest.
Notes
- Select high-quality Italian sausage with robust flavors for deeper taste complexity in the soup.
- Remove sausage casings before cooking to ensure even browning and better meat integration.
- Use store-bought or homemade gnocchi depending on time and preference, ensuring consistent potato dumplings.
- Opt for fresh spinach instead of frozen to maintain crisp texture and vibrant green color.
- Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for lighter version, reducing overall calorie content.
- Add red pepper flakes for extra heat and personalized spice level to suit individual palates.
- Consider gluten-free gnocchi options for those with wheat sensitivities without compromising soup’s rich flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 740 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg