Hearty, comforting, and full of rich flavors, sausage gnocchi soup is the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out. Combining tender potato gnocchi, savory sausage, and a creamy, flavorful broth, it’s a satisfying meal that’s both rustic and indulgent. The base of the soup typically starts with browned Italian sausage, which infuses the broth with a deep, meaty richness. Aromatic onions, garlic, and herbs like thyme or oregano add layers of flavor, while carrots, spinach, or kale bring freshness and color to every spoonful.
The star ingredient, of course, is the gnocchi – pillowy little dumplings that become irresistibly soft as they simmer in the broth. Their light, delicate texture pairs beautifully with the richness of the sausage and cream, creating a comforting contrast in every bite. A splash of heavy cream or half-and-half adds luxurious silkiness, while a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese ties everything together with a subtle nuttiness. The result is a soup that’s both hearty and velvety, filling yet surprisingly easy to enjoy.
Sausage gnocchi soup is versatile enough for any occasion. It makes a cozy weeknight dinner, especially when paired with a crispy baguette or a simple green salad. It’s also a crowd-pleaser for gatherings, offering the comforting flavors of a classic Italian meal in a single bowl. You can easily adjust it to suit your tastes, use spicy sausage for a bit of heat, swap in chicken sausage for a lighter version, or add extra vegetables for more texture and nutrition.
Every spoonful of this soup feels like a hug in a bowl. The combination of savory sausage, creamy broth, and tender gnocchi creates a deeply satisfying dish that’s as nourishing as it is delicious. Perfect for chilly days or whenever you need a dose of comfort, sausage gnocchi soup is a recipe you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup carrots sliced
- 1 cup celery sliced
- 4 cups chicken broth low sodium
- 1 package gnocchi 16 oz
- 1 cup spinach fresh
- 1/2 cup heavy cream optional
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up into pieces, and cook until browned.
- Add the diced onion, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and celery to the pot. Saute until the vegetables are tender.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook until they float to the top.
- Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- If using, stir in heavy cream and heat through. Serve hot.
Nutrition
Sausage gnocchi soup is my life ❤️. I can’t wait to make this for my family this weekend!
This soup is just awesome! I added a bit of cheese on top and it was delish!
Meh, it was too salty for my taste. Maybe less broth next time?
I found it delicious, but I guess everyone has their own taste. More broth might be a good tweak!
Too salty? You must’ve used too much salt then. Just skip it next time, it’s not that hard!
I don’t get why people like gnocchi. Why not just use pasta instead?
Gnocchi has a totally different texture than pasta! It’s fluffy and just hits right. You should try this soup, it’s delicious!
This soup was good, but my son only likes pizza. He said no soup for him.
I tried making it but forgot the sausage. Ended up with a veggie soup lol.
Followed the recipe and it turned out great! I used turkey sausage instead and it was good 🍲.
I followed it pretty much exactly, but my gnocchi got a little soft/mushy. Not bad, just different than I expected. Maybe I should’ve kept it at a lower boil after adding them.
I don’t know why people add heavy cream—kinda defeats the purpose of soup, imo. But I tried it anyway and… yeah it was actually nice. Maybe just a little less next time.
Not bad, but my family complained it needed more salt. Maybe because the broth was low sodium. Also I shoulda browned the sausage longer—mine was kinda pale.
Sooo good! My husband even said he liked it, and he’s picky!
Sausage? Gnocchi? Sounds weird, but I guess that’s what makes it unique? 🤷♂️
I know it sounds strange, but trust me, it’s delicious! The flavors blend really well!
This is one of those recipes that’s basically ‘dump and simmer,’ and I love that. The veggies stay sweet and the broth is super flavorful. Will absolutely make again.
I liked the idea, but my gnocchi started getting a bit mushy after sitting in the pot too long. Next time I’ll add them right before serving. Flavor was good though.
Totally agree—gnocchi really suffer from sitting around. I usually keep the soup at a simmer and add the gnocchi right near the end, then serve immediately. Glad the flavor worked out for you though!
Huh, mine never got mushy… are you boiling it hard? Maybe you’re cooking the gnocchi too long. Also, I swear gnocchi should go in after the broth boils but before the veggies are fully tender? Idk. Next time try shorter cook time and don’t let it sit.
I’m not sure about the measurements—1 cup carrots + 1 cup celery seemed like a lot vs the broth. I ended up adding more broth and it fixed it.
This was super cozy. The sausage browning step makes a huge difference, and the gnocchi coming out tender (not mushy) felt foolproof. I skipped the cream and it still tasted rich.
The ingredient list seems a little random—carrots + celery + onion I get, but why heavy cream optional if the broth is already flavorful? I tried without and it was fine, just less rich.
Easy enough, but I only cooked the veggies until “tender” and mine were still a bit crunchy. Maybe my pot runs hot? Still ate it, though.
Maybe your pot runs hot, but also gnocchi cooks fast—so if you boil hard, it can hide crunchy veggies. I’d cover the pot next time and cook a little longer, like 10-15 min.
I’ve had that happen too—“tender” is super vague. If your carrots/celery are still crunchy, I’d just simmer them a couple extra minutes before adding the broth.
It was good, but why do you put the spinach in? Isn’t that just extra leaves?
Spinach adds nutrients and flavor! You gotta have some greens. 😊
I messed up the sausage step—probably cooked it too fast, so it was a little greasy. Still tasted good though. My gnocchi didn’t float right away, but they cooked through anyway.
The ingredient list is great, but 1 lb sausage felt like a lot for my pot size. I adjusted and it was still delicious—would recommend tasting as you go.
I’m skeptical about heavy cream being “optional” because it tastes way better with it. Without it, it was kind of thin and bland, not gonna lie.
Not bad, but I think the gnocchi could be a little softer. Might try cooking them longer next time.
I found the gnocchi perfect! Maybe you just need to cook them as the recipe says?
Softer gnocchi sounds nice, but I like them a bit chewy! Everyone’s taste is different, I guess.
I think it needed more seasoning—salt and pepper wasn’t enough for me. Also, I may have overcooked the sausage, because it was a little greasy. Could be my fault, but yeah, I’d tweak it.
Totally get that—Italian sausage can be pretty salty already, so I usually bump the pepper and add a pinch of red pepper flakes. If it got greasy, next time try draining off a little fat before adding the veggies.
Hmm I dont know. I followed it and mine was fine? Maybe your sausage was super fatty? Also gnocchi is easy to overcook, like it turns mushy fast—just until it floats, no more. Salt and pepper can be enough but maybe you needed extra garlic? lol
This soup is ridiculously comforting. The sausage browning step is key—my whole kitchen smelled amazing. I used kale instead of spinach and it still worked great.
Not gonna lie, cutting all the veggies made me tired, lol. But the steps were easy and the soup was worth it.
I tried it but I think I undercooked the gnocchi? They kinda broke apart on me. Still tasted good though—just wish the steps said how long to boil after they float.
Honestly same—once I started slicing carrots I was like “why am I doing this to myself” 😂 But yeah, that soup is totally worth it.
Pretty solid, but I think it needed more salt than the recipe suggested. Also my gnocchi got a little mushy since I boiled it too hard—next time I’ll simmer.
Good catch on both points—low-sodium broth + gnocchi can definitely need a bit more salt. I usually salt in stages and keep it at a gentle simmer so the gnocchi doesn’t turn to mash.
Huh, I’m not sure about the salt—this soup tastes fine to me as written. But yeah if you boil gnocchi hard it goes mushy fast. Next time simmer is the way.
Made this tonight and it was honestly so cozy. The sausage browning step really matters—lots of flavor. I used a splash more cream and it turned out perfect.
Heavy cream optional… but I did add it and omg. That step made the whole thing creamy and not too salty. 10/10 comfort food.
I don’t have fresh spinach, so I used frozen. It was fine, but I definitely should’ve thawed and squeezed it first because it watered down the flavor a bit.
Thanks for the tip! I always forget to thaw/squeeze frozen spinach—good to know it can water things down. Next time I’ll do that step.
Used turkey sausage instead, turned out great! Less grease too.
1 pound is a lot of sausage lol. Mine totally overpowered everything. I’ll try again but maybe half the sausage and add more broth. Otherwise, the spinach part was surprisingly nice.
Why would anyone put spinach in soup? Not a fan of greens.
This was good but… I think my carrots took way longer than the recipe said. I had to simmer longer to get them tender. Otherwise tasty and filling.
Wait… “heavy cream optional”?? I feel like cream is mandatory lol. I did it and now I’m spoiled—won’t make it without next time.
I’m skeptical about boiling the gnocchi—mine usually gets gummy. But here it floated and stayed decent. Not bad at all.
Tried dat heavy cream, was too rich for me. I’ll skip it next time.
I don’t really like sausage casing, so I used ground Italian sausage. Same idea, just less work. Still came out tasty and my kids asked for seconds.
That’s awesome—using ground sausage is totally the move. Less work, same flavor. Glad it worked out and the kids wanted seconds! 😄
My husband said it tastes like it came from a restaurant. I didn’t even have celery so I subbed extra carrots. Still delicious.
I followed the recipe, but didn’t have gnocchi, so used pasta instead. Still turned out good!
Glad to hear it still turned out well! Pasta is always a good backup. Gnocchi is kinda tricky to find sometimes!
I dunno, but isn’t it like totally different? Gnocchi and pasta are not the same. How could it still be good?
This soup is AMAZING! I added some chili flakes for extra kick. Will def make again!
Glad to hear you loved it! Chili flakes are a great addition! 🤗
Screwed up the instructions and burnt my garlic. Lesson learned! 😅
I didn’t have gnocchi, so I used pasta. It worked out fine. Still tasty!
I followed the directions, but my gnocchi sank… which I guess means I didn’t cook it long enough? Ended up still eating it. Tasted okay.
The carrots and celery gave it a really nice sweet-savory balance. I skipped the cream and it was still rich enough for me.
Made this exactly once and it turned out kinda thick? Like the gnocchi soaked up too much broth. Maybe I used a smaller pot? Still good tho.
Made this tonight and it was super cozy. The browned sausage + garlic smell is unreal. I used kale instead of spinach because that’s what I had—still great. Next time I’ll add a pinch of red pepper flakes too.
This soup is amazing! So comforting and full of flavor. Definitely a keeper!
Pretty good, but mine was a little salty even though I used low-sodium broth. Next time I’ll wait to add salt at the end and maybe use less sausage.
Good tip! I’ve noticed the sausage itself can be pretty salty even with low-sodium broth. Waiting to season at the very end (and starting with a smaller pinch) usually fixes it. I’ll also try using less sausage next time—thanks!
Ok, I tried it and the gnocchi never floated… like at all. I ended up cooking longer and it was edible, but not the best. Could be my brand?
I tried this recipe, and my kids loved it! They even asked for seconds.
That’s awesome! My kids are picky eaters, so it’s great to hear this worked for you! I’m definitely trying it now! 😊
I don’t get the hype. Gnocchi in soup is okay, but mine came out kinda gummy. Maybe I cooked it too long? Still, it was edible.
Totally agree—gnocchi in soup is fine, but if you overcook them they go gummy fast. Once they float, I usually only simmer like 2–3 minutes max. Did you boil it hard the whole time?
Okay but kinda bland. Maybe need more spices? Idk, just wasn’t feeling it.
This was super cozy. The sausage browning adds so much flavor, and the gnocchi floating tip was spot on. I added the cream and it turned out rich without being heavy.
I’m not usually a soup person, but this one hits. The texture with the gnocchi and spinach is great. I used turkey sausage and it still worked.
Not gonna lie, I don’t trust recipes with “optional” cream. I used it, and now I’m obsessed. Thick and cozy.
I didn’t have carrots so I used sweet potato. Worked okay, but the cook time was off and it felt a bit sweeter than I expected.
Good save with the sweet potato! 🍠 I wonder if that’s why your cook time was off—sweet potato tends to soften faster (or sometimes take longer depending on the cut). I’ll try smaller dice next time and maybe start checking before the broth fully boils.
Carrots or sweet potato… kind of the same thing, right? 😅 Mine never gets sweeter than expected though. Maybe you used sweet Italian sausage? Also did you cook the gnocchi the whole time in the soup or add it later?
This was tasty, but my gnocchi started breaking apart. Next time I’ll probably simmer more gently instead of boiling the whole time.
Glad it was tasty! Yeah, boiling can be brutal on gnocchi—once it floats, I usually keep it at a gentle simmer so it doesn’t fall apart. Your next-time plan sounds spot on.
hmm idk about gnocchi in soup. i tried it but my noodles?—no my gnocchi got soggy fast. maybe i overcooked it.
I used turkey sausage instead of Italian and it turned out okay, but I wouldn’t call it “Italian” anymore. Flavor was lighter.
Love it! One pot, filling, and super easy. I added crushed red pepper and it was 🔥. Will definitely make again for meal prep.
This recipe is just okay. Felt like it was missing something… Maybe more seasoning?
I followed it exactly and the gnocchi floated like it said, but it still seemed bland to me. Maybe my sausage wasn’t flavorful. Next time I’ll use spicier sausage or add more herbs.
My whole kitchen smelled amazing while it was cooking. I used frozen spinach because that’s what I had and it still worked. Would totally make again.
Quick and easy! My kids loved it, even my picky eater. Highly recommend!
This soup sounds soooo good! I gotta try it for my kiddos too! Thanks for sharing!
I didn’t have heavy cream and it was fine. The soup is really filling, love it!
The recipe is fine but it’s kinda bland without seasoning. I had to add more black pepper and a little Italian seasoning. Salt “to taste” is tricky sometimes.
Wow. Somehow even my kids ate it without complaining (and one of them hates spinach). I’ll definitely keep this recipe. 🔥
That’s the best kind of compliment—kids usually have notes 😂 And spinach haters are hard to convert. Glad it worked out!
Solid idea, but I found it a little bland without more seasoning. Next time I’ll add Italian seasoning and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Otherwise, tasty!
Yum!
1 pound sausage feels like a lot? I swear mine barely fed two people. The soup thickened a ton too. Tasted ok, but I might scale the gnocchi and broth differently.
I’m not sure about the spinach amount. I added the full cup and it kind of disappeared, but the soup was still tasty. Maybe next time I’ll use half and keep it brighter.
I dont know… I followed it but it came out bland. I think I forgot the pepper? Or maybe my garlic was old. Still ate it, though.
Not sure about the amount of broth + gnocchi—mine turned out thick almost like a stew. Might be because I used a different brand of gnocchi. Still edible, just different than expected.
Pretty solid, but I found it needed more seasoning than the recipe suggests. Also mine thickened up a lot after the gnocchi floated—next time I’ll add a splash more broth.
Heavy cream optional? Thank you for that. I added it and it made the soup feel like something from a restaurant. 10/10 comfort food.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about sausage + gnocchi soup. Turns out it’s a winning combo. I’ll definitely make it again for weeknights.
I’m usually skeptical too, but this combo actually makes sense—sausage adds so much flavor to the gnocchi + broth. Glad it worked for you! I’ll try it for a weeknight soon.
Sausage + gnocchi soup?? Sounds kinda weird but I do love gnocchi. Do you think it would work with turkey sausage instead of Italian? Also my gnocchi always falls apart lol.
Too much sausage for my taste. I like it more soupy and less meaty.
I totally get you! Maybe try adding more broth next time? It could balance it out! 😊
Made this tonight and it was seriously comforting. The sausage browned up great and the gnocchi didn’t fall apart. I added extra pepper and it was perfect!
Not bad. Kinda like a lazy wedding soup vibe. I didn’t have low-sodium broth so it was a little salty, but I just adjusted with extra water. Still works.
Glad it still worked for you! That “lazy wedding soup” comparison is spot on 😄 And yeah, extra water is the perfect fix when the broth runs salty.
Heavy cream is optional but… don’t skip it if you’re into creamy soups. Makes it feel restaurant-y. I did salt carefully since my broth was already flavorful.
5 stars. Period.
Made this last night—so comforting. Browning the sausage really boosts the flavor. I used kale instead of spinach and it still worked great. 10/10 for a weeknight soup.
Made this tonight—so cozy. The sausage + gnocchi combo is dangerously good, and the spinach actually stays vibrant. I added a little extra pepper and it was perfect. Will make again.
I added extra garlic because I’m that person 😂. Also, my spinach wilted super fast, like 30 seconds, so don’t walk away when you dump it in.
Heavy cream optional?? I used it anyway and now I’m convinced it’s the real magic. Very rich and cozy. Would definitely make again for guests.
Made this last night—so cozy. The sausage browning step is key; the soup smelled amazing. I added a pinch of red pepper flakes and it was perfect.
Pretty good, but mine was a little bland until I added extra pepper and a pinch of garlic powder. Still, the whole family went back for seconds.
Made it tonight and my gnocchi got a little mushy… I think I boiled it too hard. Next time I’ll simmer more gently. Tastes good though!
That makes sense—gnocchi are super sensitive. Simmering instead of boiling is the move. I’m glad it still tastes good though!
Good flavor, but my gnocchi got a little mushy. Next time I’ll keep an eye on the float time and maybe simmer instead of a hard boil.
The spinach wilted perfectly. I used kale though because that’s what I had, and it worked just fine. Will make again for sure.
This was so comforting—exactly the kind of cozy soup I want on a weeknight. The sausage flavor really comes through, and the gnocchi were perfectly soft. I didn’t even miss the “optional” cream.
Followed it exactly and it was bland until I added more salt and pepper. After that it was tasty—kind of like Olive Garden vibes lol.
I’m skeptical of soup + gnocchi because they usually get mushy. Surprisingly, mine were tender and not gross. I only boiled gently and it helped.
Not convinced. Gnocchi in soup always feels like it’ll turn into dumpling paste. Also 4 cups broth for 16 oz gnocchi seems tight.
I get the fear, but gnocchi actually stays pretty intact in a simmering soup if you don’t over-stir. Once they float, give it just a couple minutes and call it—no long boil.
Okay I followed it but my gnocchi turned kinda mushy—probably boiled too hard? Still tasted nice, just not the texture I wanted.
I like the ingredient list, but I found it a bit bland until I went heavy on black pepper and a pinch of garlic powder. Maybe my sausage was mild? Still a great weeknight soup.
Why does it say bring to a boil—my soup always boils over. I just simmered and it still cooked the gnocchi when they floated. Maybe less heat is the key.
Honestly, it tasted a bit bland until I added extra black pepper and a squeeze of lemon. Don’t skip seasoning at the end.
I was skeptical about the heavy cream (optional), but it turned the broth silky. I used a full half cup and it felt restaurant-y. Easy weeknight meal.