Get ready to transform your dinner routine with the most comforting and luxurious soup you'll ever taste! Our Slow Cooker Creamy Sausage Gnocchi Soup is the ultimate one-pot wonder that will have your family begging for seconds. Imagine tender Italian sausage, pillowy gnocchi, and vibrant spinach swimming in a rich, creamy broth that practically screams "home-cooked comfort" – and the best part? Your slow cooker does all the hard work while you sit back and relax!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 bag (16 oz) gnocchi
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Transfer the browned sausage to the slow cooker, ensuring an even layer at the bottom of the pot.
- Add diced onions and minced garlic to the slow cooker, distributing them evenly over the sausage.
- Pour chicken broth into the slow cooker, covering the sausage and onions completely.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, stirring gently to combine all ingredients.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat. Cook for 5-6 hours, allowing flavors to meld together.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the gnocchi to the slow cooker, stirring gently to prevent sticking.
- Stir in the heavy cream and fresh spinach, mixing until spinach begins to wilt.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt and pepper.
- Serve hot, garnishing with optional fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
- For the most flavorful soup, use high-quality Italian sausage and brown it thoroughly before adding to the slow cooker. This step builds deep, rich flavor.
- If you want to make this soup extra special, consider using fresh gnocchi from the refrigerated section instead of frozen. They'll have a more delicate texture.
- Don't add the gnocchi and cream too early. Adding them in the last 30-45 minutes prevents the gnocchi from becoming mushy and keeps the cream from separating.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream or use whole milk.
- Fresh spinach is key – add it at the very end to maintain its bright color and nutritional value.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to elevate the presentation and add an extra layer of flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 389kcal
Carbohydrates: 23g
Protein: 13g
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 80mg
