Hearty Gnocchi in Creamy Sausage Sauce

This Creamy Sausage Gnocchi is incredibly savory and gratifying. Featuring chicken sausage, mushrooms, and Parmesan, you’ll relish the harmonious flavors in this delectable pasta dish.

Recipe Insights

Whenever I want to mix things up on pasta night, this Creamy Sausage Gnocchi hits the spot. Its delicious and mouthwatering qualities, combined with its ease of preparation, make it a dish you’re bound to enjoy!

• FLAVOR: This Creamy Sausage Gnocchi is crafted with savory sausage, earthy mushrooms, and nutty Parmesan cheese, resulting in a deeply satisfying dish.
• TEXTURE: The gnocchi offers a sturdy texture ideal for soaking up rich sauces. This recipe envelops the pasta in a creamy, sumptuous mushroom tomato sauce with pieces of sausage throughout.
• TIME: This meal can be prepared in just 30 minutes, making it a great choice for hectic weeknights.
• EASE: By utilizing a semi-homemade sauce, this straightforward recipe saves time and effort, enhancing convenience.

Ingredients Required

Ingredient Notes

• Gnocchi– Feel free to use any variety of gnocchi you prefer, but be mindful of the cooking time to prevent them from becoming mushy.
• Vegetables- Chopped onion, garlic, and baby Bella mushrooms contribute hearty texture and earthy flavors to this delicious meal.
• Fresh Mushroom Prego sauce– This sauce is a favorite for this recipe due to its enhanced mushroom flavor, which complements the other ingredients well.
• Heavy Cream– This ingredient provides richness to the sauce, creating a creamier texture.
• Parmesan Cheese– This cheese imparts a nutty, salty flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the sauce.
• Chicken Sausage– It adds a savory, meaty flavor to the dish, though you may opt for other sausage varieties.

Additions and Alternatives

• Make it meatless- If you prefer a meatless sauce, feel free to omit the sausage. This tomato gnocchi dish is still packed with flavor without it.
• Substitute the pasta- If gnocchi is unavailable or you favor a lighter option, swap it for spaghetti, penne, or your preferred type of pasta, including gluten-free varieties.
• Experiment with different vegetables- If mushrooms aren’t your favorite, consider adding fresh spinach, broccoli, or bell peppers. Varied sauces are also available in stores to pair with your chosen vegetables.
• Switch the protein- This recipe can also be prepared with Italian sausage, ground beef, or ground pork.

Steps to Make Creamy Sausage Gnocchi

• Cook the sausage. Remove the casing from the chicken sausage, then cook it in a large skillet over high heat.
• Incorporate the onion and garlic. After the sausage is cooked, add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir over medium heat until the onion becomes translucent.
• Add the mushrooms and tomato sauce. Include the sliced mushrooms and sauté until fully cooked. Then stir in the fresh mushroom Prego sauce.

Pro Tip: It’s unnecessary to add oil to the skillet, as the sausage contains enough fat to adequately coat the pan.

• Add the cream. Stir in the heavy cream, allowing the sauce to reach a simmer.
• Cook the gnocchi. At the same time, cook the gnocchi in salted water, then set aside.
• Combine gnocchi, cheese, and seasoning. Once the sauce simmers, turn off the heat and mix in the cooked gnocchi, grated Parmesan cheese, and salt. Mix until everything is well combined and serve immediately.

Helpful Recipe Tips

• Remove the sausage casing. Before cooking, ensure to peel off the casing for easier meat separation within the sauce, which enhances flavor release.
• Add heavy cream gradually. When pouring in the cream, do it slowly to prevent curdling.
• Avoid overcooking the gnocchi. Remove the gnocchi as soon as they rise to the surface. Overcooking can result in a mushy texture.
• Prepare the sauce ahead of time. If you’re short on cooking time, consider making the sauce a couple of days earlier. You can store it and reheat when needed.

store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook the pasta.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gnocchi (pronounced nyawk-kee) are traditional Italian dumpling pasta typically made with ingredients like potato, semolina, or flour. These doughy pillows are quite hearty and pair wonderfully with a variety of rich sauces.

In the absence of heavy cream, you can use full-fat coconut milk or mix regular milk with melted butter. This combination can create a creamy and rich texture to flavor and thicken the sauce. The taste might differ slightly, but it will still remain delicious.

Serving Ideas

This Creamy Sausage Gnocchi is hearty, rich, and satisfying. It’s perfect when paired with bread, salad, soup, and vegetables.

• Breads: Complement this pasta with some bread to soak up the delightful sauce. Options include Focaccia Bread, Rustic Bread (overnight), Sourdough Bread, or Buttery Brioche Bread.
• Salads: Start your meal with a Spinach Salad, Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad, Broccoli Cranberry Salad, or Couscous Arugula Salad.
• Soups: Enjoy this Creamy Sausage Gnocchi alongside a bowl of Tortellini Soup, Baked Potato Soup, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, or Easy French Onion Soup.
• Vegetables: Pair this pasta offering with Sautéed Garlic Asparagus, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli, or Air Fryer Green Beans.

Preparation in Advance

Make ahead: The pasta can be cooked in advance and stored in the refrigerator for a day or two, while the sausage tomato sauce can last for 2-3 days. Ensure both items are in airtight containers. When it’s time to serve, simply reheat and mix them together. It’s advisable to keep the gnocchi separate from the sauce beforehand to prevent them from becoming overly soft and mushy.

Storing: This Creamy Sausage Gnocchi can last about 2 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The shelf life is limited because the gnocchi tend to soften in the sauce if left too long.

Freeze: This creamy chicken gnocchi can be frozen, but they should be done separately. Place the gnocchi on a sheet pan to freeze them individually before transferring to a ziplock freezer bag. The tomato sauce can also be frozen in a ziplock bag; lay it flat initially before storing it upright for space efficiency.

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Complete Recipe Instructions

Creamy Sausage Gnocchi