Creamy Sausage Gnocchi with Spinach Recipe
Craving a comforting, satisfying meal without the fuss? This Creamy Sausage Gnocchi is your answer. It’s a rich, flavorful one-pan dinner that comes together in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The combination of savory sausage, pillowy gnocchi, and fresh spinach in a luscious cream sauce is pure comfort food magic. If you love easy gnocchi dishes, try this Easy One Pot Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie Recipe for another simple favorite.
PrintCreamy Sausage Gnocchi with Spinach
A simple one-pan meal combining creamy tomato sauce with spicy Italian sausage, garlic, spinach, and basic tomato sauce. This dish tastes like a fine dining restaurant creation but uses basic pantry ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Method: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 15 oz Italian sausage, spicy, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 16 oz potato gnocchi
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbs from Provence
- 13 oz tomato sauce (tomato pasta sauce or marinara)
- 5 oz fresh spinach
- Salt and coarsely ground black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add crumbled Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add minced garlic and Italian seasoning, stirring for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato pasta sauce and chicken broth, mixing well.
- Add the gnocchi and stir to combine with the sauce.
- Bring to a light boil, then reduce heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi softens and is cooked through.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the fresh spinach. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the spinach wilts to your liking.
- Stir in the heavy cream and mix everything well.
- Season to taste with salt, coarsely ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
Use your best judgment about salt—if the sausage is salty enough, you may not need to add extra. For a thicker sauce, cook longer while stirring. Store-bought gnocchi and tomato sauce make this recipe quick and convenient.
Nutrition
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 1050
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
- Cholesterol: 85
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this Creamy Sausage Gnocchi with Spinach without heavy cream?
Yes, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free version. The sauce may be slightly less rich but will still be delicious for this one-pan recipe.
What type of Italian sausage works best for this recipe?
Mild or sweet Italian sausage links are ideal, as their seasoning complements the tomato sauce. Remove the casings and crumble the sausage while browning it in your pan for the best texture in your Creamy Sausage Gnocchi with Spinach.
How can I prevent the gnocchi from becoming gummy?
Do not boil the gnocchi separately. For this 30-minute one-pan recipe, add the packaged gnocchi directly to the simmering sauce. It will cook through perfectly and absorb flavor without getting waterlogged.
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