Savory Italian Sausage Gnocchi Magic: A Dreamy Creamy Recipe

Tender potato dumplings dance with spicy Italian sausage gnocchi in a luscious, velvety sauce that promises pure comfort.

Rich flavors swirl together, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this recipe delivers bold, satisfying notes.

Aromatic herbs and melted cheese enhance every single bite of this hearty dish.

Restaurant-quality meals can emerge right from your own kitchen with minimal effort.

Professional chefs would nod in approval at this simple yet sophisticated combination.

You’ll want seconds before the first plate is even empty.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 608 kcal

Servings: 5

Start With These for Creamy Italian Sausage Gnocchi

• Italian Sausage: Brings bold, spicy flavor and hearty texture; choose fresh ground sausage with good fat content for maximum taste; remove casing if buying links.

• Tomato Sauce, Heavy Cream: Creates rich, velvety foundation with tangy and creamy balance; select high-quality tomato sauce for deeper flavor; use full-fat cream for luxurious consistency.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances overall seasoning and deepens taste profile; use freshly ground black pepper for more intense aroma.

• Gnocchi: Soft, pillowy potato dumplings that absorb sauce beautifully; choose vacuum-sealed or fresh varieties for best texture; look for smooth, uniform shapes.

• Spinach: Adds vibrant green color and nutritional boost; select fresh, crisp leaves without wilting; baby spinach works best for quick wilting.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides creamy, stretchy topping with mild flavor; use freshly shredded for best melting quality; whole milk mozzarella recommended for optimal creaminess.

Prep Tool Needed for Creamy Italian Sausage Gnocchi

• Large Skillet: Essential for browning sausage and creating the entire dish's sauce base.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for breaking apart sausage and stirring ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps add precise amounts of salt and pepper.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping spinach and measuring ingredients accurately.
• Cheese Grater: Useful for shredding fresh mozzarella cheese.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping spinach and preparing ingredients.

How You’ll Cook Creamy Italian Sausage Gnocchi

• Sausage Sizzle

Break up Italian sausage in a hot skillet, letting it dance and brown until perfectly crispy and golden.

• Creamy Transformation

Pour silky tomato sauce and rich cream into the skillet, creating a luxurious base that hugs the sausage with intense flavor.

• Gnocchi Journey

Drop soft pillowy gnocchi into the bubbling sauce, letting them swim and absorb the delicious liquid. Gently simmer until they become tender and plump, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

• Green and Cheesy Finale

Sprinkle fresh spinach leaves across the dish, watching them wilt into the sauce. Shower the top with blanket of melting mozzarella, allowing the residual heat to transform the cheese into a gooey, irresistible topping.

Make It Better: Creamy Italian Sausage Gnocchi Tweaks & Ideas

• Enhance nutritional value by adding roasted bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms during the cooking process for extra texture and vitamins.
• Replace mozzarella with creamy goat cheese, sharp parmesan, or smoky provolone to create unique taste experiences that transform the dish.
• Prepare the entire recipe in advance and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, reheating gently to maintain the creamy consistency and prevent gnocchi from becoming tough.

Best Ways to Plate Creamy Italian Sausage Gnocchi

• Pair with Fresh Salad: Complement the rich, creamy gnocchi with a crisp mixed green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the dish's hearty flavors.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: Grab a warm, crusty Italian bread to soak up the delicious sauce and add a delightful textural contrast to each bite.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley on top to brighten the dish and add a pop of color and fresh, aromatic flavor.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the richness of the sausage and creamy sauce.

Keep It Fresh: Creamy Italian Sausage Gnocchi Storage Tips

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover gnocchi in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Keep the dish sealed tightly to maintain its creamy texture and prevent moisture loss.
• Freeze for Later: Transfer cooled gnocchi to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. The meal will stay fresh for 2-3 months when properly sealed. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat with Care: Warm the dish gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to restore the creamy consistency. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Microwave as a quick alternative, but stir halfway through to distribute heat evenly.
• Prep-Ahead Strategy: Chop ingredients like spinach and measure out seasonings in advance. Cook the sausage and sauce a day before serving to save time and let flavors develop. Keep components separate until final cooking for the freshest taste.

Hearty Italian Sausage Gnocchi Bake Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

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

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Description

Savory Italian sausage gnocchi delight combines rich flavors from traditional Italian cooking with comfort-driven ingredients. Creamy sauce and tender gnocchi create a satisfying meal that welcomes you to explore Mediterranean culinary traditions.

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Ingredients

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• 375 g (¾ lb or 12 oz) mild Italian sausage, casings removed
• 500 g (1 lb or 16 oz) dried potato gnocchi
• 1.5 cups tomato-based pasta sauce
• 0.75 cups heavy cream
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1.5 cups chopped fresh spinach
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.125 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Sausage Searing: Mobilize a spacious skillet over medium-high thermal intensity, dispatching crumbled Italian sausage to transform into golden-brown, crispy fragments through vigorous breaking and stirring.
2. Sauce Symphony: Cascade tomato sauce and heavy cream into the caramelized sausage landscape, orchestrating a harmonious blend with salt and black pepper. Whisk until the mixture achieves a velvety, integrated consistency that clings seductively to the pan’s surface.
3. Gnocchi Integration: Introduce potato dumplings directly into the simmering sauce, ensuring each morsel becomes thoroughly enveloped in the rich, creamy embrace. Reduce heat to prevent aggressive bubbling and potential scorching.
4. Poaching and Texture Refinement: Allow gnocchi to gently poach for 6-8 minutes, periodically disrupting the surface to prevent adhesion. Modulate sauce viscosity by incrementally introducing water or chicken broth, maintaining a luxurious, flowing texture.
5. Verdant Enhancement: Gracefully fold spinach leaves into the skillet, permitting them to wilt naturally and absorb the surrounding flavor landscape. Simultaneously sprinkle mozzarella across the surface, creating a molten dairy canopy.
6. Final Fusion: Cover momentarily to catalyze complete cheese melting, transforming the dish into a cohesive, bubbling masterpiece ready for immediate consumption.

Notes

• Meat Precision: Crumble sausage into uniform, golden-brown pieces for maximum flavor development and even cooking texture.
• Sauce Balancing: Whisk tomato sauce and cream carefully to create a smooth, integrated base that coats ingredients perfectly without separation.
• Gnocchi Technique: Poach gnocchi gently in sauce for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure consistent, tender texture.
• Moisture Management: Keep sauce consistency luxurious by adding small amounts of water or broth if mixture becomes too thick during cooking.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 608
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 617 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 107 mg