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    Home » Pork

    Sausage, Kale, and Gnocchi Soup

    Published: Jan 11, 2019 / Updated: Aug 27, 2020 / 57 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This gnocchi soup with sausage and kale is cozy and comforting! A simple and delicious warming winter soup that the whole family will love.

    white bowl with creamy gnocchi soup with sausage and kale

    I recently made a chicken gnocchi soup and a lot of people really liked it. I was inspired to make another one, this time with sausage and kale. I used spicy Italian sausages (I bought Johnsonville brand), but you can use mild ones if you prefer. Or even use a different kind of sausage... whatever you have on hand or prefer will be just fine.

    I'm on a bit of a sausage cooking kick lately. I recently made this Tuscan sausage pasta and it's one of the best things I've made in a while if I do say so myself haha.

    This creamy gnocchi soup is ready in a bit over half an hour, so it's good for weeknight dinners. It also makes tasty leftovers.

    close-up of easy gnocchi soup with sausage and kale in a bowl

    There's just something about pillowy gnocchi that gets me every time. It cooks right in the soup so it thickens the broth up. I just buy the kind that's sold in the pasta aisle.

    If you like this soup, you may also like my Zuppa Toscana soup (Olive Garden inspired), my tomato gnocchi soup, or my sausage and sweet potato soup.

    white bowl with easy and creamy gnocchi soup with kale and sausage

    I kept the ingredients fairly minimal in this soup. There's plenty of sausage, and the gnocchi makes it filling. Garlic, onion, and Dijon mustard add a lot of flavor.

    Kale adds some nice color, texture, and a bit of freshness. You could also use spinach or chard if you prefer.

    Pro tip: If you want to use half-and-half or even milk instead of the cream, that's fine.

    two white bowls of creamy sausage soup with gnocchi and kale

    Will you give this sausage and kale gnocchi soup a try? Let me know in the comments below.

    Love easy gnocchi recipes? You may also like my one pan creamy spinach and mushroom gnocchi or my one pan creamy sausage gnocchi.

    This quick and easy gnocchi soup with kale and sausage is creamy and delicious. It's ready in just over half an hour!

    Sausage, Kale, and Gnocchi Soup

    This gnocchi soup with sausage and kale is cozy and comforting! A simple and delicious warming winter soup that the whole family will love. 
    4.95 from 20 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Soup
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 17.6 ounces Italian sausages (I used hot ones) cut up/crumbled
    • 1/2 medium onion chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 dash Italian seasoning
    • 4 cups chicken broth
    • 1 pound potato gnocchi
    • 1 small bunch kale torn into bite-size pieces, stems removed
    • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Take the sausages out of their casings (or just cut them up) and add them to a soup pot. Sauté them over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned on all sides. I didn't add oil since the sausages release fat, but feel free to add oil if the sausage is particularly lean.
    • Add the onion to the pot and continue to cook for another 4-5 minutes.
    • Stir in the garlic, Dijon mustard, and Italian seasoning, and cook for 30 seconds.
    • Add the chicken broth and gnocchi to the pot. Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce heat so it's simmering and cook for 5 minutes.
    • Add the kale and cream and let the soup simmer for another 10 minutes or so (you may need to increase then reduce the heat again). The gnocchi will release some starch so the broth thickens up more the longer it cooks. 
    • Season with salt & pepper if needed.

    Notes

    • I used a 5-pack of Johnsonville hot Italian sausages weighing 17.6 ounces. Anything around that mark works. You can also use ground sausage if that's easier for you.
    • Serves 4-6.
    Keyword creamy gnocchi soup
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Turkey Sweet Potato Chili
    Instant Pot Pasta e Fagioli »

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    1. Bonnie says

      February 26, 2022 at 9:39 AM

      5 stars
      Delicious! It’s a keeper! How long can the leftovers be kept in the fridge?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 26, 2022 at 11:02 AM

        Hi Bonnie!! I'd keep it for 3-4 days. So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Karen says

      January 8, 2022 at 9:32 AM

      5 stars
      Wonderful, tasty recipe!
      The first time I made it, I forgot the heavy cream…and honestly didn’t miss it at all. I’ve made this several times since, usually using chicken Italian sausage, and just don’t add the cream…I do add a more broth, the gnocchi adds just enough starch to thicken the soup perfectly.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 8, 2022 at 10:47 AM

        I'm so glad you like it, Karen! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Ashlee says

      December 15, 2021 at 5:19 PM

      5 stars
      I just made the soup tonight, so yummy! I used dairy free heavy whipping cream! I look forward to making more of your recipes!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 15, 2021 at 6:10 PM

        Wonderful! I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. Thank you for your review, and let me know if you try anything else, Ashlee! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Kelly says

      December 14, 2021 at 3:50 PM

      5 stars
      I made this soup recently and the entire family loved it. That’s a huge win for me! I’m really enjoying your posts and look forward to trying more of you recipes.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 14, 2021 at 9:27 PM

        Aww thank you!! So happy you liked it! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Karen says

      November 30, 2021 at 10:12 AM

      5 stars
      Easy and delicious! I used a mix of baby spinach and baby kale…

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 30, 2021 at 1:57 PM

        Wonderful!! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Aubrei Anzano says

      November 16, 2021 at 12:50 PM

      5 stars
      This recipe was super easy and so tasty! My whole family loved it! Pretty quick to throw together as well!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 16, 2021 at 1:29 PM

        Excellent!! I'm so pleased to hear that, Aubrei!

        Reply
    7. Amy Wuertz says

      December 20, 2020 at 7:22 PM

      5 stars
      I made this soup because I needed to use kale from my garden. It was fabulous! My husband and kids all loved it. I served it with warm crusty bread. Will definitely make again!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 20, 2020 at 8:11 PM

        So happy to hear that! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Ash says

      December 1, 2020 at 11:53 AM

      Do you think this would work to make a couple days ahead and put the gnocchi in when ready to eat?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 1, 2020 at 3:37 PM

        I think it could work.

        Reply
    9. Jennifer Rivas says

      November 21, 2020 at 1:54 PM

      Definitely, definitely making this deliciously hearty soup again! I used chicken sausage and collard greens, and that worked just as great as kale & Italian. I’m sure this would be really simple to make with vegan alternatives as well!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 21, 2020 at 6:32 PM

        That's what I like to hear! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Freida says

      October 27, 2020 at 5:56 PM

      5 stars
      This was great! Very easy & quick in my instant pot. I followed the recipe but used vegetable bouillions, a bay leaf and beyond sausage. Hopefully I'll get to have some leftovers!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 28, 2020 at 8:55 AM

        Wonderful! 🙂

        Reply
    11. Katherine says

      August 9, 2020 at 7:08 PM

      5 stars
      This is an amazing recipe, really quick and easy. I added some red pepper flakes for an extra kick. I also used more chicken broth (5 cups) because I didn’t know just how big a “small” bunch of kale actually is! So the soup had way more than I expected but that was OK. I used the shelf stable gnocchi and didn’t have any issues. For me, I would leave out the cream for a lighter summer soup next time. No salt or pepper needed! So good!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 9, 2020 at 7:21 PM

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    12. Diana says

      May 8, 2020 at 1:13 PM

      5 stars
      Made this for dinner last night, substituting frozen spinach for the kale since that's what I had-- super simple, and deliciously decadent! Thanks so much for the recipe 🙂

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 8, 2020 at 9:01 PM

        I'm so pleased you liked it!! 🙂

        Reply
    13. Lauren says

      April 24, 2020 at 7:03 AM

      This looks delicious and I am planning on preparing this weekend. I have a bag of frozen kale - how would I make the recipe change for that? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 24, 2020 at 8:28 AM

        Hi! I assume it’s like frozen and ready to go (like chopped already)? If so, I can’t imagine it would take a ton longer to cook. I’d probably cook it the same or perhaps give it a little longer if you taste it and the leaves still seem tough. I’ve never seen frozen kale before... not sure if you literally froze a bag of fresh kale or it comes in those pucks like frozen spinach? I’m not sure those would work as well.

        Reply
    14. Stephanie says

      February 10, 2020 at 3:59 PM

      5 stars
      Really tasty and filling, which is usually my biggest complaint with soup as an entree. I thought it would be too similar to zuppa toscana, but it's different enough to be it's own soup! Made exactly as written with frozen gnocchi. We have that here in the states and I think it's fresher. Will make again!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 10, 2020 at 4:19 PM

        I'm so happy you liked it!!

        Reply
    15. Caroline says

      January 18, 2020 at 7:55 PM

      Wow. I made this tonight and it’s delicious. I used skim milk and chicken hot Italian sausage. Wonderful for a snowy NYC night!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 18, 2020 at 11:23 PM

        Excellent! ♥️

        Reply
        • Jamisen says

          January 21, 2020 at 2:13 AM

          4 stars
          I followed the recipe exactly and it was fantastic! Comfort food at its best. The only thing I would change next time, would be to add the gnocchi in during the last 7 minutes or so of cooking time. Our package directions said 3 minutes, so that may be why they came out kinda chewy. Thanks!

          Reply
          • Natasha says

            January 21, 2020 at 6:54 PM

            Good tip! I’m glad you enjoyed it overall!

            Reply
    16. Meredith says

      October 10, 2019 at 4:51 AM

      5 stars
      I made this with almond milk, it always is a hit.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 10, 2019 at 9:45 AM

        Great!! Thank you 🙂

        Reply
    17. Carla J Theisen says

      October 9, 2019 at 12:52 PM

      5 stars
      I followed your recipe but also added diced roasted red peppers (they come in a jar). They were also part of a recipe that I have at home. At the cabin now and I forgot to bring the recipe with me.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 9, 2019 at 3:49 PM

        Sounds delish!!

        Reply
    18. Tiffany says

      September 8, 2019 at 1:26 PM

      5 stars
      Love this recipe! Made it this afternoon. I used spinach instead of kale and added zucchini, corn, and scallions. Tastes great! Will definitely be making it again in the future.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        September 8, 2019 at 8:44 PM

        I am so glad you liked it, Tiffany! 🙂 Thanks for letting me know!

        Reply
    19. Frida says

      March 17, 2019 at 9:23 AM

      5 stars
      Hi! Greetings from a snowy Sweden 🌨❄️🇸🇪 I made this delicious soup last week, and my husband and kid absolutely loved it and insisted that we made it again this weekend! Very flavourful, warming and filling and at the same time super easy to make. A perfect winter family meal. Thank you for a nice blog!
      /Frida

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 18, 2019 at 5:55 PM

        I'm so pleased to hear that, Frida!! 🙂 Thank you!

        Reply
    20. Autumn says

      January 19, 2019 at 9:59 PM

      Do you think you could make this in a slow cooker? Thinking of just browning the ingredients, throw them in the slow cooker on high for a bit, change to medium for the day.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 19, 2019 at 11:29 PM

        Hi! I think it could work. I’m a little concerned with the gnocchi getting a bit gloopy, but I think it’s worth a try. Let me know how it goes!

        Reply
      • HH says

        December 6, 2019 at 4:33 PM

        5 stars
        I’ve made this exactly as is several times and it’s always a hit! When I know that I’ll be saving a portion of the soup for a later day, I set aside a portion of the soup sans kale, and then add the kale when I reheat the next day.

        Reply
        • Natasha says

          December 7, 2019 at 11:54 AM

          Good idea! I am so happy you enjoy the soup!

          Reply
    21. nicole (thespicetrain.com) says

      January 17, 2019 at 6:06 PM

      5 stars
      P.S.: And I forgot to rate it, which I will do with this comment. 🙂

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 18, 2019 at 8:36 AM

        Awww thanks, Nicole!

        Reply
    22. [email protected] says

      January 17, 2019 at 6:04 PM

      This soup is a winner! Made it last night and it was universally loved. The Dijon in there is fantastic. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 18, 2019 at 8:36 AM

        That's so awesome!! So happy you tried it and it went over well.

        Reply
    23. Hannah says

      January 12, 2019 at 7:08 PM

      5 stars
      This was absolutely delish! Already shared the recipe with all my friends. I used tofurkey Italian sausage as a sausage substitute which was fine (but oh man, I can imagine hot Italian sausage is incredible in this!!). Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 12, 2019 at 7:12 PM

        I am so happy you liked it, Hannah! Thanks so much for sharing it with your friends. 🙂

        Reply
    24. Mary says

      January 11, 2019 at 11:15 AM

      Just wondering if you used fresh or frozen gnocchi. I would think fresh might turn to mush in a soup
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 11, 2019 at 11:36 AM

        Hi Mary! I used the uncooked shelf stable kind that they sell in the pasta aisle. I live in Canada, and in most regular grocery stores here that's pretty much the only option for gnocchi that I've found. If you're using fresh homemade gnocchi or a fresh one from a refrigerated section in a grocery store, then I would think it might need a bit less time to cook, but play it by ear.

        Reply
    25. Natasha's Sister says

      January 11, 2019 at 9:12 AM

      5 stars
      Can you make this for me without sausage? Preferably for lunch today. Ok thanks

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 11, 2019 at 10:16 AM

        No.

        Reply
    26. Francesca says

      January 11, 2019 at 7:30 AM

      Any recommendations for making this soup dairy free? We have dairy allergies, unfortunately. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 11, 2019 at 8:08 AM

        Hi Francesca! I think it would be ok to leave the cream out. As far as dairy-free goes, my usual suggestion is coconut milk, but I'm not sure that flavor would work so well in this soup. Let me know if you do make it!

        Reply
      • Kris says

        May 2, 2019 at 10:00 AM

        We make a similar soup with almond milk, unsweetened and unflavored of course. It’s a family favorite.

        Reply

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