Description
This hearty Crock Pot Italian Style Gnocchi Soup combines flavorful Italian sausage, tender vegetables, and pillowy potato gnocchi in a rich, creamy broth. Simmered slowly to deepen the flavors, this comforting soup is perfect for cozy dinners and easy meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Pantry
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (16-ounce) package potato gnocchi
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and cook the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease to avoid oily broth.
- Add Ingredients to Crock Pot: Transfer the browned sausage, diced onion, minced garlic, diced carrots, diced celery, dried basil, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, canned diced tomatoes with juices, and chicken broth into the Crock Pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cook the Soup: Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until vegetables are tender and flavors meld together beautifully.
- Add Gnocchi and Spinach: In the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the potato gnocchi and roughly chopped fresh spinach. Cover and continue cooking until gnocchi are tender and spinach has wilted perfectly.
- Finish with Cream and Cheese: Just before serving, stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese to create a rich and creamy texture. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Substitute kale for spinach if preferred for a different leafy green texture and flavor.
- Use turkey sausage instead of Italian sausage for a lighter, leaner version of the soup.
- For a dairy-free alternative, omit the heavy cream and Parmesan, or replace with plant-based cream and cheese substitutes.
