Description
A comforting and flavorful Sausage and Gnocchi Soup featuring spicy ground pork sausage, tender gnocchi, fresh spinach, and a savory tomato broth, perfect for a hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 10 ounces ground pork sausage
- ¾ teaspoon dried fennel seeds, crushed between your fingers
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
Soup Liquids and Seasoning
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups water
- 1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes with their juice
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Additions
- 1 16 ounce package gnocchi
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Parmesan cheese, grated (for serving)
Instructions
- Heat the oil and cook sausage: In a large dutch oven or stock pot, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork sausage, crushed fennel seeds, and red pepper flakes. Brown the sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until fully cooked.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Add the chopped yellow onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes or until the onion is softened and translucent.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Pour in the chicken stock and water, then add the diced tomatoes with their juice, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the soup: Reduce the heat to simmer and cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Cook the gnocchi: Add the package of gnocchi to the simmering soup. Cook until the gnocchi float to the top, about 5 minutes, indicating they are done.
- Finish with spinach and seasoning: Turn off the heat and stir in the fresh spinach until wilted. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before serving hot.
Notes
- For a spicier soup, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
- Use turkey or chicken sausage for a leaner version.
- Fresh gnocchi can also be used and may reduce cooking time slightly.
- Spinach can be substituted with kale or Swiss chard for different greens.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, simmer an extra 5 minutes after adding gnocchi to reduce liquid.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
