Each bite of this hearty and Creamy Gnocchi and Sausage combines savory flavors and comforting textures for the ultimate feel-good meal. This easy one-pan recipe takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and is perfect for weeknight family dinners or casual get-togethers!
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Table of Contents
This comforting, Tuscan-inspired gnocchi and sausage recipe is a delicious quick-fix meal for busy weeknights or enjoying a cozy weekend meal at home. Each spoonful combines a creamy, cheesy tomato sauce with vibrant Italian flavors, soft, pillowy gnocchi, and herb-infused sausage for extra richness. Sun-dried tomatoes add a tangy-sweet undertone that feels like sunshine, while fresh spinach provides a pop of color and a dose of freshness.
The potato gnocchi soaks up the savory broth and herbal seasonings, creating a mouthwatering dish that’s as satisfying as it is easy to make. For the ultimate finishing touch of cheesy indulgence, add an extra garnish of Parmesan cheese or fresh torn basil! If you like Italian-inspired recipes, you’ll love my Cheesy Stuffed Pasta Shells, Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Sauce, Italian Sausage and Peppers Pasta, Turkey Bolognese, and Sausage Risotto!
What Is Gnocchi?
Gnocchi are small, soft dumplings that are a beloved staple of Italian cuisine. Traditional gnocchi are made from potatoes, flour, and egg, but they can also include cheese, spinach, and other fillings. The gnocchi dough is rolled into little logs and cut into bite-sized easy-to-eat pieces. The soft, pillowy dumplings have a chewy texture and absorb the flavors of whatever broth or sauce they are in.
Why You'll Love It
- One-Pot. This no-fuss sausage and gnocchi recipe comes together quickly in one pot in less than 30 minutes. It’s the perfect quick-fix anytime dish!
- Flavorful. With Tuscan-inspired flavors, a cheesy tomato sauce, tender gnocchi, and Italian sausage, this creamy gnocchi is packed with delicious goodness the whole family will love.
- Family-Friendly. Italian sausage gnocchi is the perfect dinner for everyone, from school-aged kids to adults. Its irresistible combination of textures and flavors makes it a quick, satisfying crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- Potato Gnocchi: Use pre-made dried gnocchi for this recipe–already cooked gnocchi will be too tender. This staple in Italian cuisine is made from a combination of potatoes, flour, and egg. Once cooked, the dried gnocchi transforms into small, soft dumplings.
- Italian Sausage: Choose raw ground pork Italian sausage with your desired flavor variation–mild, spicy, or sweet.
- White Onion: Chopped white onion adds a mild, slightly sweet flavor to the base of the sauce. Yellow onion can also be used for a sharper, more robust taste.
- Garlic: Minced fresh garlic cloves add an aromatic flavor that elevates the pasta dish. For convenience, use pre-minced store-bought garlic.
- Sundried Tomatoes: Choose sun-dried tomatoes in oil for a richer, more concentrated flavor and softer texture than dried-packed tomatoes.
- Chicken Broth: Opt for a low-sodium chicken broth or stock to best control the seasoning of the sausage gnocchi recipe. Or swap with vegetable broth if preferred.
- Chopped Tomatoes: Canned chopped tomatoes add tangy-sweet flavor and juicy texture to the sausage gnocchi sauce. Use the whole can, juices included!
- Seasonings: Smoked paprika, Italian Seasoning, and dried parsley add layers of savory, smoky, and herbal flavor to the the creamy gnocchi recipe.
- Cream Cheese: Bring the cream cheese to room temperature and cut it into chunks before adding to the one-pot gnocchi. This helps it melt faster and creates a velvety, cohesive texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grate parmesan from the block for the best flavor and texture. Feel free to adjust the amount to suit your taste and texture preferences!
- Baby Spinach: Fresh baby spinach leaves add a pop of green color and a tasty contrast to the rich flavors.
- Olive Oil, Salt, & Pepper: Elevate the flavors of this gnocchi and sausage recipe to taste with ground black pepper and sea salt. Olive oil is used for sautéing the onions and sausage.
How to Make Gnocchi and Sausage
For the complete recipe and measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1: Heat a large and deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat on the stovetop. Add the oil and chopped onions and sauté, stirring often, for 4-5 minutes or until the onions are fragrant and turn translucent.
Step 2: Add the ground sausage to the pot and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently to crumble, until the sausage is browned and cooked through.
Step 3: Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
Step 4: Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, Italian seasoning, and dried parsley. Cook for 1 more minute.
Step 5: Add the chicken broth or stock, canned tomatoes with all the juices, and dried gnocchi. Increase the heat to medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot with a lid, and simmer for 7 minutes.
Step 6: Remove the lid, increase the heat to medium-high, and simmer for two minutes.
Step 7: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese, grated parmesan, and baby spinach. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the cream cheese and parmesan are melted and the spinach is wilted. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot with extra parmesan cheese to garnish!
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Use quality ingredients. Choose a high-quality sausage for the best Italian sausage and gnocchi flavor, and opt for fresh parmesan cheese and baby spinach to enhance the dish’s rich, savory taste and freshness.
- Ground sausage vs. sausage links. Ground sausage is easiest to work with, but you can also use sausage links. Simply remove the meat from the link casings before cooking to make crumbling easier.
- Use the proper pot. A deep and wide skillet or Dutch oven is ideal for this recipe, providing ample space for the ingredients and ensuring even cooking.
- Browning the meat. When cooking the sausage, brown it in a single layer to develop a deeper, caramelized flavor. Avoid stirring too frequently during this step for the best texture and flavor.
- Adjust the sauce consistency. If the sauce is too thick for your liking, stir in a little extra broth to thin it out; if it is too thin, allow it to simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to help reduce the liquid.
- Add salt and pepper last. Wait to adjust the seasonings until the end of the cooking process. Taste the cooked gnocchi with sausage before adding salt and pepper.
- Serving suggestions. Enjoy this creamy Tuscan gnocchi as a main course dish for dinner or a hearty lunch. Pair with a side of air fryer garlic bread, a simple Caesar salad, or air fryer vegetables for a full-spread meal.
Recipe Variations
- Bold: Enhance the gnocchi sausage recipe flavor by adding ¼ cup of red wine to the sauce as it simmers.
- Extra Cheesy: Stir in additional cheeses like fresh mozzarella, provolone, or fontina for extra creamy sausage gnocchi.
- Fresh Herbs: Top the dish with fresh chopped flat leaf parsley and basil before serving.
- Veggies: Add in 1 cup of roasted red bell peppers, 1 cup of sliced mushrooms, or extra greens to add flavor and nutrition.
- Spicy: Add an extra kick by using spicy Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes or calabrian chiles to taste.
- Gluten-Free: Replace the regular gnocchi with gluten-free gnocchi to make this recipe gluten-free. Also, ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free for those with allergies or intolerances.
- Vegetarian: Replace the Italian sausage with plant-based sausage or 1½ cups of sautéed mushrooms or 1 cup of cooked lentils.
- Vegan: Use plant-based meat and a dairy-free cream cheese and parmesan substitute.
- Dairy-Free: Simply replace the cream cheese with a plant-based alternative and use vegan parmesan cheese.
Can I Make This with Homemade Gnocchi?
No, I don’t recommend using homemade gnocchi as it is not conducive to this one-pot cooking method; it will become too tender and mushy. Store-bought dried gnocchi is best!
Do You Need to Par-Boil The Gnocchi?
There is no need to par-boil the gnocchi in this recipe! The gnocchi will cook directly in the broth and sauce as the dish simmers, which enhances its flavor and texture.
Storage Directions
- Refrigeration: Store leftover gnocchi recipes with sausage in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: This dish can be frozen in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Heat in a pot on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water or broth to help loosen the sauce. Stir occasionally until heated through for out 5-7 minutes. Or warm in the microwave in 1-minute intervals until heated through.
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Tools Needed to Make This Recipe
- Deep Skillet or Dutch Oven
- Cutting Board
- Sharp Knife
- Large Wooden Spoon
- Can Opener
- Cheese Grater
More Gnocchi & Pasta Recipes
- Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina
- Pesto Gnocchi
- Bucatini Pomodoro
- No Boil Turkey Pasta Bake
- Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Peas
Recipe Card
Creamy Gnocchi and Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 white onion chopped
- 1 lb raw or bulk Italian sausage chicken or pork
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ tablespoons sundried tomatoes in oil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 ¾ cups chicken broth or stock or vegetable broth
- 1 14 oz can chopped tomatoes including the liquid
- 1 lb potato gnocchi packaged/dried (NOT FRESH!)
- ½ cup cream cheese cut into cubes
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese plus more to garnish
- 2 ½ cups chopped fresh baby spinach
- salt and pepper to taste to taste
- torn or chopped fresh basil to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the oil and onions and sauté, stirring often, for 4-5 minutes or until the onions turn translucent.
- Add the sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently to crumble, until the sausage is browned and cooked through.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds.
- Stir in the sundried tomatoes, paprika, Italian seasoning, and dried parsley. Cook for 1 more minute.
- Add the chicken broth or stock, canned tomatoes, and gnocchi. Increase the heat to medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 7 minutes.
- Remove the lid, increase the heat to medium-high, and simmer for two minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low, stir in the cream cheese, grated parmesan, and baby spinach. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the cheese is melted and the spinach is wilted. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot with parmesan cheese and fresh basil to garnish!
Notes
- Refrigeration: Store leftover gnocchi recipes with sausage in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: This dish can be frozen in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Heat in a pot on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water or broth to help loosen the sauce. Stir occasionally until heated through for out 5-7 minutes. Or warm in the microwave in 1-minute intervals until heated through.
- Ground sausage vs. sausage links. Ground sausage is easiest to work with, but you can also use sausage links. Simply remove the meat from the link casings before cooking to make crumbling easier.
- Browning the meat. When cooking the sausage, brown it in a single layer to develop a deeper, caramelized flavor. Avoid stirring too frequently during this step for the best texture and flavor.
- Adjust the sauce consistency. If the sauce is too thick for your liking, stir in a little extra broth to thin it out; if it is too thin, allow it to simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to help reduce the liquid.
- Add salt and pepper last. Wait to adjust the seasonings until the end of the cooking process. Taste the cooked gnocchi with sausage before adding salt and pepper.
