Hearty Sausage Gnocchi Feast Recipe

Savory Sausage Gnocchi Delight Recipe: A Cozy Comfort Classic

Weeknight dinners demand quick, satisfying meals that pack serious flavor, and this sausage gnocchi delight recipe delivers everything you want in one skillet.

Hearty italian sausage mingles with tender potato dumplings, creating a comforting symphony of textures and tastes.

Robust herbs and a rich sauce bring depth to every single bite.

Parmesan cheese melts into golden pools across the surface, adding a salty, creamy finish.

Weeknight cooking becomes an exciting culinary adventure with this simple yet impressive dish.

Each forkful promises warmth, satisfaction, and a delicious escape from ordinary meals.

Get ready to savor every delectable moment of this irresistible comfort food.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 570 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Savory Sausage Gnocchi

For Protein and Flavor Base:
  • Sausage: Delivers robust, spicy undertones that elevate the dish's overall complexity and provide a hearty protein punch.
  • Chicken Broth: Creates a rich, savory liquid foundation that intensifies the recipe's depth and warmth.
For Aromatic Vegetables:
  • Onion, Garlic: Foundational ingredients that build a deep, multilayered flavor profile and provide subtle sweetness and pungent notes.
  • Spinach: Introduces vibrant green color, delicate texture, and nutrient-dense freshness to balance the rich sauce.
For Creamy and Seasoning Components:
  • Heavy Cream: Transforms the dish into a luxurious, velvety experience with its silky smooth texture.
  • Diced Tomatoes: Adds bright acidity, subtle sweetness, and authentic rustic character to the sauce.
  • Italian Seasoning: Blends aromatic herbs that transport the dish to traditional Italian culinary landscapes.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Contributes a gentle, warming heat that sparks excitement on the palate.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning agents that harmonize and amplify all underlying flavors.
  • Gnocchi: Soft, pillowy potato dumplings that absorb the sauce and provide comforting, substantial texture.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Delivers a sharp, salty finish that adds complexity and authentic Italian essence.
  • Olive Oil: Provides a smooth cooking medium with a subtle fruity undertone.

Tools to Make Gnocchi and Sausage Simple

  • Large pot: Perfect for cooking sausage, sautéing onions, and simmering the entire dish.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Essential for breaking up sausage and stirring ingredients smoothly.
  • Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
  • Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable and ingredient preparation.
  • Measuring spoons: Helpful for adding precise amounts of seasonings.
  • Ladle: Great for serving the gnocchi soup into individual bowls.
  • Cheese grater: Used for creating fresh Parmesan cheese topping.

Easy Directions for Sausage Gnocchi

  • Sausage Sizzle

Brown sausage in a large pot with a splash of olive oil, breaking it into tasty little bits until golden and crispy. Set the sausage aside for later.

  • Aromatic Base

Soften onions in the same pot until they become translucent and sweet-smelling. Add garlic and let it dance around for a minute, releasing its amazing fragrance.

  • Liquid Magic

Pour in a mixture of chicken broth, diced tomatoes, creamy heavy cream, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning with a hint of red pepper flakes. Bring the sausage back to the party and let everything simmer gently.

  • Gnocchi Swim

Drop the pillowy gnocchi directly into the bubbling soup. Watch them dance and float to the surface, signaling they’re perfectly cooked in about 3-4 minutes.

  • Green Touch and Final Flourish

Toss in fresh spinach and let it wilt into the soup. Season with salt and pepper to make the flavors pop. Finish with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and serve hot, ready to comfort and delight.

Gnocchi Upgrades You’ll Want to Try

  • Replace sausage with plant-based alternatives like crumbled tofu, vegetarian sausage, or extra mushrooms for a meat-free version that's equally delicious.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to control heat intensity. For mild lovers, reduce or omit; for spice enthusiasts, add extra flakes or include a dash of hot sauce.
  • Cook the base sauce and sausage mixture in advance, storing in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat and add fresh gnocchi when ready to serve for a quick weeknight meal.
  • Stir in additional cheeses like ricotta or mozzarella for extra creaminess, or top with a blend of Italian cheeses for more depth of flavor.

Serving Tips for Sausage Gnocchi at Dinner

  • Serve with Crusty Bread: Slice a warm, rustic baguette or Italian bread to soak up the delicious, creamy broth. The bread's crispy exterior and soft interior perfectly complement the hearty gnocchi and sausage.
  • Pair with Fresh Salad: Toss a light, crisp green salad with a zesty vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy soup. Choose mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of herbs for a refreshing side.
  • Top with Extra Cheese: Offer additional grated Parmesan or a sprinkle of sharp pecorino romano at the table. Let diners customize their bowl with an extra cheesy kick that enhances the soup's savory flavors.
  • Enjoy with Chilled White Wine: Recommend a crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the soup's richness. The wine's acidity and light, refreshing notes will elevate the meal's overall enjoyment.

Store Your Gnocchi Bowl for Later Enjoyment

  • Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop onions and garlic in advance, storing them in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days to streamline cooking time.
  • Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover sausage gnocchi soup in airtight containers for 3-4 days, keeping the flavors intact and maintaining optimal taste and texture.
  • Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze up to 2 months, ensuring a quick and delicious meal is always ready.
  • Reheat with Care: Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight, then gently warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and maintain creamy consistency.
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Hearty Sausage Gnocchi Feast Recipe

Hearty Sausage Gnocchi Feast Recipe


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4.5 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Sausage gnocchi delight recipe brings comfort and Italian-inspired flavors to dinner tables with minimal preparation. Home cooks can savor this hearty meal that combines tender potato dumplings with robust sausage in a rich, aromatic sauce.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (454 g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
  • 16 oz (454 g) potato gnocchi
  • 4 cups (946 ml) chicken broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz or 411 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Sausage Sizzle: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, crumble sausage, and brown until deep golden, approximately 5-6 minutes. Remove meat and set aside.
  2. Aromatic Foundation: In the same pot, sauté diced onions until translucent, then add minced garlic and cook briefly to release fragrant notes without scorching.
  3. Liquid Symphony: Pour chicken broth, fire-roasted tomatoes, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes into the pot. Reintroduce browned sausage and stir to combine flavors thoroughly.
  4. Simmer and Meld: Allow mixture to gently simmer for 3-4 minutes, letting ingredients harmonize and develop depth.
  5. Gnocchi Integration: Drop potato gnocchi directly into the simmering liquid, cooking until they float and reach perfect tenderness, typically 3-4 minutes.
  6. Final Flourish: Fold in fresh spinach leaves, allowing them to wilt smoothly. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
  7. Serving Elegance: Transfer the robust mixture into serving bowls, crowning with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a luxurious finish.

Notes

  • Sear Sausage Perfectly: Brown meat until deep golden for maximum flavor development and rich caramelized exterior.
  • Prevent Garlic Burning: Sauté garlic briefly (45-60 seconds) to release aromatics without creating bitter undertones.
  • Gnocchi Doneness Trick: Watch for floating gnocchi as the ultimate indicator of perfect cooking – they’ll rise naturally when tender.
  • Cheese Finale: Freshly grated Parmesan transforms the dish, adding luxurious depth and creamy saltiness to the entire preparation.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 570
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 1200 mg
  • Fat: 35 g
  • Saturated Fat: 16 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 26 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Michael Rivera

Michael Rivera

Co-Founder & Culinary Instructor

Expertise

  • Classic French Cuisine
  • Artisanal Bread Baking
  • Plant-Based Culinary Innovation
  • Recipe & Menu Development
  • Interactive Online Instruction

Education

The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)

  • Program: Classic Culinary Arts
  • Focus: An intensive curriculum rooted in classical French techniques, artisanal bread production, and contemporary culinary methods.

Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking. 

Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.

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