Creamy Tomato Sausage Gnocchi (Printable)

Pillowy gnocchi in a rich tomato-cream sauce with Italian sausage and fresh herbs.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta & Dairy

01 - 1 lb potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
02 - ½ cup heavy cream
03 - ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

→ Meats

04 - 10 oz Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
08 - 3.5 oz baby spinach (optional)
09 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, plus extra for garnish

→ Oils & Seasonings

10 - 2 tbsp olive oil
11 - ½ tsp dried oregano
12 - ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional)
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 4–5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
03 - Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, dried oregano, and chili flakes; cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Pour in crushed tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 5 minutes.
05 - Stir in heavy cream and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until the sauce is creamy.
06 - Add baby spinach (if using) and basil; stir until spinach wilts.
07 - While sauce simmers, cook gnocchi according to package instructions until they float to the surface, about 2–3 minutes.
08 - Drain gnocchi and add directly to the sauce. Toss gently to coat and heat through for 1–2 minutes.
09 - Stir in Parmesan cheese, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve hot, garnished with extra basil.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • One-pot meal
  • Freezer-friendly
02 -
  • Contains Wheat (gnocchi), Milk (cream, Parmesan), and may contain Egg (depending on gnocchi brand)
  • Sausage may contain additional allergens (please check labels)
03 -
  • Substitute Italian chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter option
  • Add sautéed mushrooms or roasted red peppers for extra flavor
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