This Sausage and Vegetable Gnocchi Soup is a delicious and satisfying meal that’s perfect for a chilly evening. It’s packed with flavor, thanks to the Italian sausage, a medley of fresh vegetables, and a rich tomato broth. The addition of pillowy gnocchi and fresh greens makes it a hearty and complete meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Sausage and Vegetable Gnocchi Soup
- Flavorful and Hearty: This soup is bursting with flavor, thanks to the combination of savory sausage, aromatic vegetables, and a rich tomato broth. The gnocchi and greens add a satisfying heartiness.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is incredibly simple to follow, even for beginner cooks.
- Quick and Healthy: It’s a healthy and satisfying meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes.
- Versatile: You can easily customize this soup with your favorite vegetables, herbs, or different types of sausage.
Ingredients for Sausage and Vegetable Gnocchi Soup
- Italian Sausage: I use Italian sausage for its savory flavor, but you can use any type of sausage you prefer.
- Avocado Oil or Olive Oil: Used for browning the sausage and sautéing the vegetables.
- Onion, Celery, Carrots, and Zucchini: These vegetables add sweetness, texture, and nutrients to the soup.
- Garlic: Minced garlic adds a punch of flavor.
- Italian Seasoning: Adds a blend of herbs for a classic Italian flavor.
- Marinara Sauce: I use my favorite store-bought marinara sauce, but you can also make your own if you prefer.
- Chicken Broth: Forms the base of the soup.
- Potato Gnocchi: I use shelf-stable potato gnocchi for convenience, but you can also use fresh or frozen gnocchi.
- Arugula or Spinach: Adds a peppery bite and a boost of nutrients.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty flavor.
- Fresh Basil: Optional, but adds a fresh, herby flavor and a beautiful garnish.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Variations
Want to try something different? Here are a few ideas:
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the soup for extra heat.
- Veggie Variety: Toss in some other vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or potatoes.
- Bean Boost: Add a can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans or chickpeas for extra protein and fiber.
- Different Greens: Use spinach, kale, or escarole instead of arugula.
How to Make Sausage and Vegetable Gnocchi Soup
Step 1: Brown the Sausage and Sauté the Vegetables
Heat the oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside. Add the onion, celery, carrots, and zucchini to the pot and sauté for 5-6 minutes, or until softened. Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning and sauté for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Step 2: Simmer the Soup
Return the browned sausage to the pot. Pour in the marinara sauce and chicken broth. Add the gnocchi and bring the soup to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 8 minutes, or until the gnocchi are cooked through.
Step 3: Finish and Serve
Stir in the arugula or spinach and cook until wilted. Serve the soup hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
Tips and Tricks
- Sausage Choice: You can use any type of sausage you like for this recipe, such as Italian sausage, chicken sausage, or even a vegetarian sausage.
- Gnocchi Doneness: Cook the gnocchi until they’re tender but still hold their shape.
- Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed.
How to Serve
This Sausage and Vegetable Gnocchi Soup is a hearty and satisfying meal on its own, but you can also serve it with:
- Crusty Bread: A slice of crusty bread is perfect for dipping into the soup.
- Side Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is a refreshing complement to this hearty soup.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the soup ahead of time (without the gnocchi and greens) and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Storing: Store leftover soup in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave.
FAQs
Can I use frozen gnocchi?
Yes, you can use frozen gnocchi. Just cook them according to the package directions before adding them to the soup.
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can! Just brown the sausage and sauté the vegetables in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker with the other ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the vegetables are tender. Add the gnocchi and greens during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, you can omit the sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add more vegetables to make it a heartier vegetarian meal.
There you have it! A flavorful, hearty, and easy-to-make Sausage and Vegetable Gnocchi Soup recipe. I hope you enjoy it!
PrintSausage and Vegetable Gnocchi Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Description
This Sausage and Vegetable Gnocchi Soup is a hearty and flavorful soup that’s perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. It features Italian sausage, a variety of vegetables, and pillowy gnocchi in a rich tomato broth.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 cup diced sweet onion (about 1/2 medium onion)
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 3 medium carrots, diced
- 1 small zucchini, diced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 16 ounces uncooked potato gnocchi
- 2 cups fresh arugula or spinach
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Brown sausage: Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Remove sausage from the pot.
- Sauté vegetables: Add onion, celery, carrots, and zucchini to the pot. Sauté for 5-6 minutes. Add garlic and Italian seasoning; sauté for 1-2 minutes more.
- Simmer soup: Return sausage to the pot. Add marinara sauce and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 8 minutes.
- Add gnocchi and greens: Stir in gnocchi and cook until tender. Stir in arugula or spinach until wilted.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
Notes
- You can use different types of sausage, such as chicken or turkey sausage.
- If you don’t have fresh arugula or spinach, you can use frozen.
- For a thicker soup, reduce the amount of chicken broth or add a cornstarch slurry to thicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1080mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
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