Description
This One Pan Creamy Gnocchi with Sausage is a comforting and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender potato gnocchi cooked in a rich and creamy tomato sauce with savory Italian sausage, garlic, and fresh basil. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe combines sautéing and simmering for a hearty weeknight meal that requires minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 16 ounces Italian sausage
- 1/2 small onion, chopped finely
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Dairy
- 1/3 cup dry white wine (e.g., Sauvignon Blanc)
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Main Ingredient
- 1 pound uncooked potato gnocchi
Herbs and Seasonings
- Handful fresh basil, torn
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage and Onion: In a skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the Italian sausage and finely chopped onion for 7-10 minutes until the sausage is lightly browned and cooked through, and the onion is softened.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds to release its aroma without burning.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the dry white wine and let it cook for about one minute, allowing the alcohol to evaporate and the flavors to meld.
- Combine Tomatoes, Cream, and Gnocchi: Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices, the heavy cream, and the uncooked potato gnocchi. When the sauce starts bubbling again, cover the pan and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 5 minutes to soften the gnocchi.
- Simmer and Thicken Sauce: Uncover the pan, stir well, and continue cooking for a few more minutes until the gnocchi is tender and the sauce has thickened to your preference.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese, torn basil leaves, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- You can use either sweet or spicy Italian sausage depending on your flavor preference.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a mixture of milk and cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer uncovered longer until the desired consistency is reached.
- Fresh basil can be replaced with dried basil, but add it earlier in the cooking process for better flavor infusion.
- Serve with additional parmesan cheese on the side for extra cheesiness.
