Homemade Creamy Sausage Gnocchi Recipe: Cozy Dinner Magic

Crafting a delectable sausage gnocchi brings pure comfort to your kitchen tonight.

Soft potato dumplings dance with savory Italian sausage in a rich, velvety sauce.

Weeknight dinners deserve something special that feels like a warm hug.

Rustic ingredients blend seamlessly, creating magic in just one skillet.

Hearty and satisfying, this dish whispers stories of traditional Italian cooking.

Aromas will fill your home, making everyone eager to gather around the table.

We promise this recipe will become your new go-to meal that impresses without stress.

FAQs

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Substitute the sausage with plant-based sausage or crumbled mushrooms. Add extra herbs and spices to boost flavor.

• Is gnocchi hard to cook?

Gnocchi is actually super easy to cook. In this recipe, you cook it directly in the sauce, which makes the process simple and foolproof.

• What if I don't have Italian seasoning?

Create your own blend using dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. Most kitchen pantries have these basic herbs.

• How spicy will this dish be?

Using spicy Italian sausage makes it moderately spicy. You can control heat by choosing mild sausage or adjusting red pepper flakes to your preference.

Creamy Sausage Gnocchi Comfort And Ingredients

• Savor One-Pan Simplicity: Enjoy a delicious meal with minimal cleanup, as this recipe uses just one skillet from start to finish.
• Customize Your Flavor Profile: Swap sausage types, experiment with different tomato sauces, and adjust spice levels to match your taste preferences.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Prepare a restaurant-worthy dish in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy families and home cooks craving a satisfying meal.
• Starch-Powered Sauce Magic: Gnocchi naturally thickens the sauce by releasing starches, creating a creamy texture without extra thickening agents.

Ingredients For Creamy Sausage Gnocchi

• Sausage: A flavorful base that adds richness and depth to the dish, with options for spicy or mild Italian varieties.

• Potato Gnocchi: Soft, pillowy potato dumplings that absorb the sauce and provide a hearty texture to the meal.

• Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream, Tomato Pasta Sauce: These ingredients create a creamy, well-balanced sauce that coats the gnocchi and sausage.

• Garlic, Italian Seasoning: Fresh minced garlic and a blend of dried herbs that enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.

• Fresh Spinach: A nutritious green that wilts into the sauce, adding color and a subtle earthy flavor.

• Salt, Freshly Ground Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Customizable spices that allow for personal taste adjustments.

• Olive Oil: Used for initial sautéing and preventing ingredients from sticking to the pan.

• White Wine, Red Wine, Water: Potential substitutes for chicken broth that can be used based on availability or preference.

Cooking Instructions For Creamy Sausage Gnocchi

Step 1: Warm Up the Skillet

Drizzle olive oil into a large, high-sided skillet and heat it over medium flame.

Let the oil shimmer and spread across the cooking surface.

Step 2: Brown the Sausage

Crumble the sausage directly into the hot skillet.

Break it into small pieces while cooking for about 5 minutes until it develops a beautiful golden-brown color and releases its savory aroma.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Base

• Uncooked potato gnocchi
• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream
• Minced garlic
• Italian seasoning

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil while stirring thoroughly.

Cover the skillet and let the gnocchi cook for approximately 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to develop rich flavors.

Step 4: Add Vibrant Greens and Sauce

Stir in the tomato pasta sauce, blending it seamlessly.

Add fresh spinach and continue cooking on medium heat.

Stir frequently for 5 minutes until the spinach wilts and becomes tender.

Adjust cooking time if you prefer a thicker sauce consistency.

Step 5: Season and Finish

Combine all ingredients carefully.

Remove the skillet from heat.

Helpful Tips For Sausage Gnocchi Creamy Style

• Crumble sausage thoroughly while cooking to ensure even distribution and rich taste throughout the dish.
• Adjust red pepper flakes and choose between spicy or mild Italian sausage to match your heat preference.
• Use a single skillet to cook everything, reducing cleanup and allowing gnocchi to release natural starches for sauce thickening.
• Substitute chicken broth with white wine, red wine, or water without compromising the recipe's overall flavor profile.
• Experiment with different tomato sauce varieties like traditional, basil, arrabbiata, or garlic to create unique taste variations.

Flavor Enhancements For Sausage Gnocchi

• Vegetarian Gnocchi Delight: Replace sausage with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms for a meatless version that maintains rich flavor profiles.
• Gluten-Free Gnocchi Bowl: Use gluten-free potato gnocchi and ensure all other ingredients like chicken broth and tomato sauce are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap gnocchi with cauliflower gnocchi or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the creamy sauce intact.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream, and use dairy-free sausage alternatives for those with lactose sensitivities.

Serving Suggestions For Creamy Sausage Gnocchi

• Rustic Dinner Companion: Pair this creamy sausage gnocchi with a crisp green salad tossed in light vinaigrette for refreshing contrast.
• Bread Lover's Delight: Serve alongside warm garlic bread or crusty Italian bread to soak up the delicious, rich sauce and add extra texture.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the dish with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which matches the sausage's robust flavors and cuts through the creamy sauce.
• Veggie Boost: Top with extra fresh chopped parsley or basil for a burst of color and added herbal freshness that elevates the entire meal's presentation.

Storing Creamy Sausage Gnocchi Properly

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and odors from affecting the dish's quality.
• Carefully pack the cooled gnocchi in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months for best texture and flavor.
• Place portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Stop when the dish is steaming hot throughout.

Creamy Sausage Gnocchi Recipe

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4.5 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Creamy Sausage Gnocchi brings Italian comfort straight to dinner tables with rich, indulgent flavors. Savory sausage and pillowy potato dumplings meld perfectly, promising a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 15 ounces (425 grams) Italian spicy sausage (crumbled)
• 5 ounces (142 grams) fresh spinach

Starch and Base:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) potato gnocchi
• 13 ounces (369 grams) tomato sauce

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbs from Provence
• Salt (to taste)
• Coarsely ground black pepper (to taste)
• Red pepper flakes (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
2. Scatter crumbled sausage into the pan and sauté for approximately 5 minutes, breaking it into smaller pieces while cooking.
3. Introduce uncooked potato gnocchi, chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning to the skillet with sausage. Increase heat to bring mixture to a vigorous boil, stirring thoroughly to combine ingredients.
4. Cover skillet and allow gnocchi to simmer for 5 minutes, enabling the sauce to develop and thicken naturally.
5. Pour in tomato pasta sauce and integrate completely. Gently fold fresh spinach into the mixture, continuing to cook for an additional 5 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce reaches desired consistency.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for extra heat.
7. Select your preferred sausage variation – spicy, sweet, or mild Italian – ensuring casings are removed if using links.
8. Experiment with liquid options: chicken broth can be substituted with white wine, red wine, or water without compromising flavor profile.
9. Choose any tomato sauce variant – traditional, basil-infused, arrabbiata, or garlic-enhanced – based on personal preference.
10. Consider using half-and-half as an alternative to heavy cream for a lighter sauce texture.
11. Leverage gnocchi’s natural starch to organically thicken the sauce, eliminating the need for additional thickening agents.
12. Remove from heat once spinach is perfectly wilted and sauce reaches ideal consistency.
13. Garnish with additional herbs or grated cheese if desired before serving hot.

Notes

• Choose spicy Italian sausage for a kick of heat, or opt for mild sausage and add red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
• Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or milk for a lighter version, keeping the creamy texture intact.
• Customize the dish by using different tomato sauces like arrabbiata or garlic tomato sauce to change the flavor profile.
• Quick one-pan cooking method saves time and reduces cleanup, with gnocchi releasing starch to naturally thicken the sauce.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 510 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg