Introduction
Oh, the comfort food memories! There’s something about a warm, creamy pasta dish that just feels like a hug. This Creamy Gnocchi with Sausage recipe is one of those gems that takes me right back to cozy evenings and happy gatherings. It’s incredibly simple to whip up, making it perfect for those nights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. Seriously, you’ll be amazed at how quickly this comes together!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Easy: Minimal prep and straightforward steps mean even beginner cooks can nail it.
- Giftable: Imagine a little jar of the pre-made sauce mix (minus the gnocchi and cream) as a thoughtful foodie gift! (More on that later!)
- Crowd-pleasing: Everyone loves creamy pasta, and the savory sausage and sweet sun-dried tomatoes are a winning combination.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to deliciousness! Here’s what you’ll need and why I love each one:
- 1 pound gnocchi: These little potato dumplings are like fluffy clouds. Cook them according to the package directions – usually just a few minutes until they float!
- ¾ pound ground sausage: Italian sausage, whether mild or spicy, works beautifully here. It brings so much flavor right from the start.
- 1 small onion, chopped: A kitchen essential for building flavor.
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped: Because everything is better with garlic, right?
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder: An extra punch of garlic goodness that the sauce really soaks up.
- ½ cup vegetable broth: This is the base that helps create that lovely, smooth sauce.
- 1 cup heavy cream: The secret to that irresistible creamy texture!
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, diced: These little gems add a burst of sweet, tangy flavor that cuts through the richness.
- 1 tablespoon oil from sun-dried tomato jar: Don’t toss that flavorful oil! It’s packed with sun-dried tomato essence and adds a wonderful depth.
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach, chopped: A little bit of green for balance and a touch of freshness. It wilts down so beautifully into the sauce.
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese: For that salty, nutty finish that ties it all together.
- Salt, to taste: To enhance all those wonderful flavors.
- Pepper, to taste: A little kick to make everything pop.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get cooking! You’ll be amazed at how quickly this comes together. Put on your favorite apron and let’s do this!
- Brown the Sausage: Grab a large skillet and toss in your ground sausage. Cook it over medium heat until it’s beautifully browned. Once it’s cooked, carefully drain off any excess fat. We want flavor, not greasiness!
- Soften the Onion: Now, add your chopped onion to the same skillet with the sausage. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s nice and softened. It’ll start to smell amazing!
- Garlic Infusion: Stir in the chopped garlic and the garlic powder. Cook for just about 1 minute, until you can really smell that lovely garlic aroma. Be careful not to burn it!
- Creamy Base: Pour in the vegetable broth and the heavy cream. Give it a good stir and let it come to a gentle simmer. This is where the magic starts to happen and the sauce begins to thicken.
- Sun-Dried Tomato Power: Add your diced sun-dried tomatoes and that special oil from their jar. Stir everything together. The tomatoes will add pops of color and flavor!
- Wilt the Spinach: Toss in your chopped fresh spinach. It might look like a lot, but don’t worry, it wilts down super fast. Stir it in until it’s just tender and incorporated into the sauce.
- Gnocchi and Cheese Unite: Now for the stars! Add your cooked gnocchi (remember to cook them according to the package!) and the grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Gently stir everything together until the gnocchi are beautifully coated in that luscious sauce.
- Season to Perfection: Taste your creation! Add salt and pepper as needed. A little salt can really make all those flavors sing.
- Serve and Savor: Ladle this gorgeous, creamy gnocchi into bowls and serve immediately. Enjoy every single comforting bite!
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also super versatile! Feel free to play around and make it your own.
- Sausage Swap: Don’t have ground sausage? You can use crumbled Italian sausage links (just remove the casings first) or even chopped bacon for a different, smoky flavor. For a vegetarian option, use plant-based sausage crumbles or extra veggies like mushrooms and zucchini.
- Broth Boost: If you don’t have vegetable broth, chicken broth or even just a little extra water can work in a pinch.
- Greens Galore: Kale or Swiss chard can be used instead of spinach, but they’ll need a bit longer to wilt.
- Add a Kick: Want more heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic!
- Mushroom Magic: Sautéed mushrooms are a wonderful addition, adding an earthy depth. Add them with the onions.
- Artichoke Hearts: Chopped canned or jarred artichoke hearts are another delicious addition, adding a nice tang.
Tips for Success
A few little tricks to make your gnocchi absolutely perfect every time!
- Don’t Overcook Gnocchi: Gnocchi cook very quickly. Follow the package directions closely, and they should be light and fluffy, not gummy.
- Drain the Sausage Fat: This is key for a cleaner, less oily sauce.
- Low and Slow with Garlic: Be careful not to burn the garlic – it can turn bitter quickly! Just a minute until fragrant is all you need.
- Prep Ahead: You can chop your onion and garlic ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to a day.
- Sauce Base Idea: For a quick meal starter, you can combine the sausage, onion, garlic, broth, cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and their oil in a jar (cooled, of course!) for a “Sauce Starter Kit” – perfect for gifting! Just instruct them to cook sausage, wilt spinach, and add the sauce base with cooked gnocchi and Parmesan.
How to Store It
Leftovers are the best! This creamy gnocchi reheats beautifully.
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream if it seems a little thick. You can also microwave it, stirring halfway through.
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: While it’s best served fresh, you can cook the sausage and onion mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Then, when you’re ready, add the broth, cream, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and gnocchi and finish the dish.
Q: What kind of sausage should I use?
A: Italian sausage is my favorite for its blend of herbs and spices, but feel free to use mild, spicy, or even a different type of ground pork or turkey sausage!
Q: Is this recipe spicy?
A: It depends on the sausage you choose! If you use mild Italian sausage, it won’t be spicy. If you want a little heat, opt for spicy Italian sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Creamy Gnocchi with Sausage
A quick and easy creamy gnocchi dish with savory sausage and sweet sun-dried tomatoes, perfect for busy weeknights.
Equipment
- Large skillet
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 pound gnocchi Cook according to package directions
- 0.75 pound ground sausage Italian sausage, mild or spicy
- 1 small onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 0.5 cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.25 cup sun-dried tomatoes diced
- 1 tablespoon oil from sun-dried tomato jar
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach chopped
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Grab a large skillet and toss in your ground sausage. Cook it over medium heat until it's beautifully browned. Once it's cooked, carefully drain off any excess fat. We want flavor, not greasiness!1 pound gnocchi
- Now, add your chopped onion to the same skillet with the sausage. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s nice and softened. It’ll start to smell amazing!1 pound gnocchi
- Stir in the chopped garlic and the garlic powder. Cook for just about 1 minute, until you can really smell that lovely garlic aroma. Be careful not to burn it!1 pound gnocchi
- Pour in the vegetable broth and the heavy cream. Give it a good stir and let it come to a gentle simmer. This is where the magic starts to happen and the sauce begins to thicken.1 pound gnocchi
- Add your diced sun-dried tomatoes and that special oil from their jar. Stir everything together. The tomatoes will add pops of color and flavor!1 pound gnocchi
- Toss in your chopped fresh spinach. It might look like a lot, but don't worry, it wilts down super fast. Stir it in until it's just tender and incorporated into the sauce.1 pound gnocchi
- Now for the stars! Add your cooked gnocchi (remember to cook them according to the package!) and the grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Gently stir everything together until the gnocchi are beautifully coated in that luscious sauce.1 pound gnocchi
- Taste your creation! Add salt and pepper as needed. A little salt can really make all those flavors sing.1 pound gnocchi
- Ladle this gorgeous, creamy gnocchi into bowls and serve immediately. Enjoy every single comforting bite!
Notes
This recipe is fast, easy, and crowd-pleasing. It can also be adapted with various substitutions and additions.