If you’re craving pure comfort in a bowl, Crock Pot Italian Style Gnocchi Soup might just be your new obsession. This creamy, vibrant, and flavor-packed soup combines pillowy gnocchi, tender shredded chicken, plenty of veggies, and a silky Parmesan-spiked broth—all cooked low and slow for a meal that basically makes itself. It’s one of those magical recipes that feels special but calls for nothing fancy, and delivers on heartiness, color, and the soulful coziness of classic Italian-American soups. Trust me, this will become a weeknight staple in no time!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a handful of approachable, kitchen-staple ingredients come together to create the incredible taste, texture, and rich color in Crock Pot Italian Style Gnocchi Soup. Each ingredient truly matters, from the aromatics down to the cheesy finish, making every bite something to savor.
- Olive oil: A splash is used to sauté the vegetables, coaxing out their sweetest flavors right from the start.
- Yellow onion: Diced onion lays the savory base for the whole soup.
- Garlic: A couple of minced cloves add classic depth and Italian flair.
- Carrots: These add sweetness, color, and a bit of bite to every spoonful.
- Celery: Essential for a well-rounded veggie base and aromatic undertones.
- Dried basil: Brings out herbaceous, unmistakably Italian notes.
- Dried oregano: Another essential herb for that ‘pizzeria soup’ vibe.
- Dried thyme: Subtly earthy and woodsy, thyme makes everything taste more homemade.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): Stir in a pinch for gentle, warming heat that lingers playfully.
- Salt: Balances all the flavors—don’t forget to taste and adjust before serving!
- Black pepper: Adds mellow warmth and a little bite.
- Diced tomatoes (with juices): Use a can to get both sweetness and a tangy tomato broth.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: The soup’s backbone—choose a good one for the biggest flavor boost.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Chicken slowly simmers until juicy, then shreds beautifully.
- Potato gnocchi: The star ingredient! These little dumplings soak up all the broth and turn pillowy soft.
- Fresh spinach: Chopped spinach wilts down for a pop of color and an extra veggie boost.
- Heavy cream: For creamy richness—swap in half-and-half for a lighter version if you’d like.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a major savory punch and silkiness right at the finish.
How to Make Crock Pot Italian Style Gnocchi Soup
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
Start by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once shimmering, add diced onion, minced garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté the mixture for 4 to 5 minutes until the veggies soften and start to smell amazing—this mellowing step deepens the flavors and gives the soup that signature homemade feel.
Step 2: Combine in the Crock Pot
Transfer your sautéed veggies to the crock pot. Add the dried basil, oregano, thyme, crushed red pepper flakes if you want a hint of spice, salt, pepper, diced tomatoes (with all their delicious juices), chicken broth, and chicken breasts. Give everything a good stir to blend those gorgeous flavors together.
Step 3: Slow Cook for Flavor
Cover and set your crock pot on low for 6 to 7 hours, or high for 3 to 4 hours. This is the magic step—while you go about your day, everything gets cozy together, and the chicken becomes super tender and ready to pull apart.
Step 4: Shred the Chicken
Open the lid and carefully take out the chicken breasts. Using two forks, shred them into bite-sized pieces (trust me, this part is oddly satisfying), then return all that juicy chicken to the bubbling crock pot.
Step 5: Add the Gnocchi, Spinach, Cream, and Parmesan
Pour in the potato gnocchi, toss in the roughly chopped spinach, stir in the heavy cream, and sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese. Give everything a hearty stir and turn the crock pot to high. Cook for another 30 minutes, just until the gnocchi are tender and pillowy, and the spinach is silky and vibrant.
Step 6: Finish and Serve!
Stir well one more time to make sure the soup is creamy and luscious—taste for seasoning, ladle into bowls, and get ready to fall in love with Crock Pot Italian Style Gnocchi Soup!
How to Serve Crock Pot Italian Style Gnocchi Soup
Garnishes
A handful of fresh garnishes can take your soup from comforting to truly restaurant-worthy. I love showering each bowl with extra grated Parmesan, freshly cracked black pepper, and even torn fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color and vibrance.
Side Dishes
This soup shines as a meal-in-a-bowl, but a crusty baguette or garlic bread for dunking never hurts. It also pairs beautifully with a simple green salad tossed in lemony dressing, or a platter of roasted veggies if you want a more filling spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Serving a crowd? Ladle Crock Pot Italian Style Gnocchi Soup into large mugs for a cozy hands-on touch, or try mini appetizer portions in espresso cups at a party. Top with herbed croutons or swirl in a little pesto for an extra-special finishing move!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Crock Pot Italian Style Gnocchi Soup is pure gold. Cool any remaining soup to room temperature and store it in airtight containers in the fridge for up to four days. The flavors keep developing, making it even richer the next day.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the soup in freezer-safe boxes or silicone bags—but for best texture, leave out the gnocchi and spinach until reheating. Portions will keep for up to three months; just label and date for stress-free future dinners.
Reheating
Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over low heat (or microwave individual portions), stirring occasionally to keep the cream smooth. If you froze without gnocchi and spinach, simply add them while reheating for that fresh-from-the-pot texture.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken during the last 30 minutes with the gnocchi, spinach, cream, and Parmesan—this will cut cooking time and still deliver heaps of flavor.
Will this recipe work with kale or other greens?
Yes! While spinach wilts quickly and evenly, you can swap in chopped kale or Swiss chard. Just add these heartier greens about an hour before the soup’s done to let them soften nicely.
Is there a vegetarian option?
Crock Pot Italian Style Gnocchi Soup is super adaptable—skip the chicken and use vegetable broth. Toss in a can of drained white beans for creamy protein without the meat.
Can I make it dairy-free?
You can! Omit the heavy cream and Parmesan, and add a dairy-free creamer and vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast for richness. The result will still be plenty comforting and flavorful.
What if I can’t find potato gnocchi?
If you don’t have gnocchi on hand, small pasta shapes like orecchiette or mini shells work surprisingly well, though the classic texture of gnocchi is ideal for this creamy soup.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ll give Crock Pot Italian Style Gnocchi Soup a try the next time you need a little extra cozy in your life. Every spoonful is packed with flavor, texture, and warmth—just the kind of dish that brings people back for seconds. Make it once and it’ll earn a permanent spot in your cold-weather lineup!
Print
Crock Pot Italian Style Gnocchi Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the comforting flavors of Italy with this Crock Pot Italian Style Gnocchi Soup. A creamy and hearty soup filled with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and nutritious vegetables.
Ingredients
Soup Base:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 medium carrots (peeled and sliced)
- 2 celery stalks (sliced)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (16 oz) package potato gnocchi
- 3 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet, sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until soft.
- Prepare Soup Base: Transfer sautéed mixture to the crock pot. Add spices, tomatoes, broth, and chicken. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Finish Soup: Shred chicken, return to pot, add gnocchi, spinach, cream, and cheese. Cook on high for 30 minutes. Serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken with Italian sausage for added flavor.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Add more spinach or kale for extra greens.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
