24 Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup Ideas That Will Change Your Dinner Game
If you’ve ever had Olive Garden’s famous chicken and gnocchi soup, you know it’s basically comfort in a bowl.
Creamy, hearty, and loaded with pillowy little gnocchi—it’s the type of soup that makes you rethink every other meal choice you’ve ever made.
But here’s the thing: why stop at just the classic version? There are so many ways to remix it, upgrade it, or even copycat it at home without needing to bribe a server for the secret recipe.
So today, I’ve got 24 Olive Garden gnocchi soup ideas that’ll keep you slurping happily all year long.
Some are copycats, some are twists, and some are “why didn’t I think of that?” experiments. Grab a spoon, friend—you’re going to need it.
1. Classic Olive Garden Chicken & Gnocchi Soup
We’ve got to start with the OG. The creamy broth, shredded chicken, gnocchi, spinach, and carrots all play together perfectly. If you’ve never tried to make it at home, you’ll be surprised at how simple it really is. Bonus: homemade means you can pile on more gnocchi (because seriously, is there ever enough?).
2. Creamy Sausage Gnocchi Soup
Swap the chicken for spicy Italian sausage, and suddenly this soup takes on a whole new personality. The fennel from the sausage blends beautifully with the creamy broth, giving it that hearty, rustic vibe. Perfect for chilly nights when you need something that sticks to your ribs.
3. Copycat Slow Cooker Gnocchi Soup
Don’t feel like standing at the stove? Toss everything into your slow cooker and let it do the work. By dinner, you’ll have creamy gnocchi soup that tastes just as good as Olive Garden’s—maybe better, because you didn’t have to leave your house or put on real pants.
4. Instant Pot Gnocchi Soup
For those who live and breathe Instant Pot recipes, this one’s a keeper. You can go from ingredients to steaming bowl in about 20 minutes. Ever wondered how Olive Garden would feel if they had pressure cookers in the kitchen? Probably jealous.
5. Spinach & Kale Gnocchi Soup
Spinach is standard, but swapping in kale gives the soup a slightly earthier taste and a boost of nutrition. IMO, it’s the easiest “healthified” version without losing that creamy comfort.
6. Turkey Gnocchi Soup
Got leftover Thanksgiving turkey? Shred it and throw it into your gnocchi soup instead of chicken. Same flavor vibes, but you’ll feel like you just hacked Thanksgiving leftovers like a pro.
7. Creamy Mushroom Gnocchi Soup
Skip the meat entirely and let mushrooms take center stage. Their umami flavor makes the broth even more savory, and you’ll barely miss the chicken. Pro tip: sauté the mushrooms first to get that rich, golden flavor.
8. Bacon & Gnocchi Soup
Do I even need to explain this one? Bacon makes everything better. Add crispy crumbles on top, stir some into the broth, or just snack while you’re cooking. No judgment here.
9. Pesto Gnocchi Soup
Stir a spoonful of basil pesto into your soup right before serving. It brightens the creamy broth, adds a garlicky punch, and makes the whole thing feel like a gourmet dish.
10. Spicy Gnocchi Soup
Like a little heat? Add red pepper flakes, jalapeños, or even a swirl of sriracha. Olive Garden could never—unless they’re hiding a secret “spicy” menu.
11. Roasted Garlic Gnocchi Soup
Roast a head of garlic until it’s caramelized and sweet, then mash it into the broth. The flavor deepens in the best way possible. Ever wondered why roasted garlic feels fancier than raw? Because it totally is.
12. Lemon Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Brighten things up with a squeeze of lemon juice and some zest. The citrus cuts through the creaminess, making it a lighter, fresher version of the classic.
13. Tomato Basil Gnocchi Soup
This one’s basically a mashup of tomato soup and Olive Garden’s gnocchi soup. Creamy tomato base + gnocchi = the comfort food duo you didn’t know you needed.
14. Creamy Broccoli Gnocchi Soup
Add chopped broccoli florets to the mix. It’s like broccoli cheddar soup grew up and made friends with gnocchi. Honestly, kids might actually eat their veggies with this one.
15. Smoked Gouda Gnocchi Soup
Replace some of the Parmesan with smoked gouda. That smoky, cheesy flavor takes the soup into fancy territory. Serve it with crusty bread, and you’ll feel like you just upgraded dinner to “bistro chic.”
16. Shrimp & Gnocchi Soup
Why not go seafood? Toss in shrimp instead of chicken for a creamy seafood chowder vibe. Add Old Bay seasoning if you want that coastal flair.
17. Roasted Red Pepper Gnocchi Soup
Blend roasted red peppers into the broth for a slightly sweet, smoky taste. It gives the soup a gorgeous reddish hue too, so you’ll feel like you just plated restaurant-quality food at home.
18. Caramelized Onion Gnocchi Soup
Caramelized onions add that rich, slightly sweet depth that makes every bite better. Think French onion soup meets Olive Garden gnocchi soup.
19. White Wine Gnocchi Soup
Add a splash of white wine while cooking the broth. It elevates the flavor in a subtle way—like you’re the kind of person who casually cooks with wine (and drinks the rest while waiting).
20. Dairy-Free Gnocchi Soup
Use coconut milk or cashew cream instead of heavy cream. It still turns out creamy and satisfying, but perfect for anyone who can’t do dairy. Honestly, coconut milk gives it a fun little twist.
21. Loaded Potato Gnocchi Soup
Add diced potatoes along with gnocchi for extra heartiness. Top it with cheddar, chives, and sour cream for that baked potato vibe. This one is pure comfort food overload—in the best way.
22. Veggie-Packed Gnocchi Soup
Toss in zucchini, bell peppers, peas, or whatever’s hanging out in your fridge. It’s the most flexible way to bulk up the soup and make it healthier without sacrificing taste.
23. Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi Soup
Yes, pumpkin. Puree it into the broth, and suddenly you’ve got a cozy fall version of gnocchi soup. Sprinkle some nutmeg, and your kitchen will smell like autumn in a bowl.
24. Extra-Cheesy Gnocchi Soup
Finally, for the cheese lovers—double down. Add more Parmesan, mozzarella, or even a sprinkle of cheddar. The soup turns into a stretchy, cheesy dream. Ever thought soup could pull a cheese stretch like pizza? Now you have.
Tips to Make Any Gnocchi Soup Shine
- Use good quality gnocchi. The texture makes or breaks the soup. Soft, pillowy gnocchi = success.
- Don’t overcook the gnocchi. They cook fast, and nobody likes mushy pasta.
- Always season as you go. Salt, pepper, and herbs bring out the flavors in the creamy broth.
- Pair with breadsticks. Because what’s Olive Garden without breadsticks, right?
Final Thoughts
So there you go—24 Olive Garden gnocchi soup ideas that’ll keep your soup pot busy for months. Whether you’re craving the classic copycat or want to get creative with pumpkin, bacon, or shrimp, there’s a version here for every mood and season.
Here’s my advice: pick one, grab your ingredients, and test it out this week. Soup is one of those meals that feels cozy, no matter the weather. And hey, if it doesn’t turn out Instagram-worthy, at least it’ll still taste amazing—and that’s all that matters.
