Italian sausage and gnocchi soup brings comfort to any dinner table. The hearty dish combines browned sausage with pillowy potato dumplings, all swimming in a rich tomato broth. Sautéed carrots, celery, and onions form the flavor base, while cannellini beans add protein. Fresh spinach wilts perfectly into the hot mixture, creating beautiful color contrast. A finish of fragrant basil enhances the soup from simple to special. What makes this soup truly exceptional, however, goes beyond its ingredients.
Hearty Tuscan-Style Homemade Meal
This hearty Tuscan-style soup combines the rustic flavors of Italian sausage with pillowy gnocchi, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs. Inspired by the principles of cucina povera, this soup transforms simple ingredients into a nourishing meal that warms both body and soul, perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner at home.
Each spoonful delivers the rich flavors of browned Italian sausage, tender gnocchi, and a savory tomato broth infused with garlic and Italian herbs. The combination of mirepoix vegetables with cannellini beans creates a hearty base that honors Tuscan tradition while the addition of sausage and gnocchi enhances this soup into a complete meal that satisfies even the heartiest appetites. This recipe embraces the Tuscan philosophy of using fresh, seasonal ingredients to create simple yet deeply satisfying dishes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 package (16 oz) shelf-stable potato gnocchi
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Begin by heating olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, cooking until vegetables begin to soften, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the diced tomatoes with their juice, chicken broth, and cannellini beans; bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Add the gnocchi and cook according to package directions, usually 3-4 minutes or until they float to the surface. Stir in the spinach and cook until just wilted, about 1 minute.
Season with salt and pepper to taste, then ladle into bowls and serve topped with grated Parmesan and fresh basil.
For the most authentic Tuscan experience, use high-quality Italian sausage – either sweet or spicy depending on your preference – and fresh potato gnocchi if available.
The soup will thicken considerably upon standing as the gnocchi absorbs the broth, so you may need to add additional broth when reheating leftovers.
For a lighter version, substitute turkey Italian sausage, and if you prefer a creamier soup, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream just before serving. You can also easily prepare this comforting soup using the pressure cooker function of a Ninja Foodi for quicker cooking while still developing rich flavors.
This soup pairs beautifully with unsalted Tuscan-style bread for mopping up the flavorful broth, completing this satisfying homemade meal.
Gnocchi Pairing Secrets
Many home cooks find that the perfect gnocchi pairing can transform an ordinary soup into an extraordinary meal. Italian sausage stands as a classic companion, adding spicy depth to the starchy dumplings. The hearty meat complements gnocchi's soft texture while enhancing the general flavor profile.
Fresh vegetables like spinach provide necessary contrast, adding brightness to counter the soup's richness. For those seeking variety, mushrooms offer earthy notes that harmonize with both the broth and gnocchi.
These pairings work particularly well when the gnocchi has been properly cooked—just until floating, about 3-5 minutes in salted water. Store-bought gnocchi cooks particularly quickly, ready in 3-4 minutes in boiling water.
Herbs matter too. Basil and Italian seasoning raise the dish's aromatic quality, while a finishing touch of goat cheese can provide creaminess for those avoiding traditional dairy options. For a convenient one-pot solution, consider using a pressure cooker to dramatically reduce cooking time while maintaining all the rich flavors of your Italian sausage and gnocchi soup.
Basil's Aromatic Finish
When adding basil to Italian sausage and gnocchi soup, timing becomes crucial for capturing its full aromatic potential. Fresh basil leaves should be stirred in during the final minutes of cooking, preserving their vibrant flavor and distinctive peppery notes that complement the heartiness of Italian sausage.
For those seeking innovation, basil vital oil offers an alternative approach. Just 1-2 drops added after removing the soup from heat can infuse the entire dish with concentrated flavor. This technique works particularly well when fresh herbs aren't available. This approach honors basil's journey from India to Mediterranean cuisines, where it became a culinary cornerstone. For perfect soup consistency, consider using a high-performance blender to puree a portion of the base ingredients before adding the gnocchi and sausage.
Beyond flavor, basil contributes nutritional benefits, including vitamins A, K, and C. Its anti-inflammatory properties from eugenol oil make this herb both a culinary enhancer and wellness improver, transforming a simple soup into a nourishing meal with that signature Italian freshness.
