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This gnocchi with Italian sausage is what I make when I want dinner to feel comforting without turning into a whole production.
Soft, pillowy gnocchi cooks right in the sauce, soaking up all that savory sausage flavor while the onions and garlic do their thing in the pan. It’s rich without being overwhelming and fast enough to pull off on a night when everyone’s hungry and patience is low.
This is the kind of dinner I serve with something simple on the side, maybe Roasted Asparagus or a Tossed Salad or even Olive Garden Breadsticks and call it done.
It’s filling, familiar, and hits that comfort-food note without feeling too heavy. If you’re looking for a pasta night switch-up that still feels relaxed and easy, this one fits right in.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.
- Italian Sausage – I like to use hot, but you can use mild or sweet if you prefer.
- Onion
- Garlic
- Gnocchi
- Tomato Paste
- Chicken Broth – you can use low sodium to cut down on the salt level.
- Heavy Cream
- Parmesan Cheese
- Salt & Pepper
Gnocchi with Italian Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound gnocchi
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet brown sausage and onion, breaking apart the sausage, until it is no longer pink and the onions are soft. Add the garlic, cook for a minute until you can start to smell it.1 pound Italian sausage, 1/2 cup onion, 4 cloves garlic
- Add tomato paste and stir to combined.1/4 cup tomato paste
- Slowly whisk in chicken broth, heavy cream, and gnocchi. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for about 5 minutes until the gnocchi is tender.1 pound gnocchi, 3/4 cup chicken broth, 3/4 cup heavy cream
- Add Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper.1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste
- Toss with gnocchi to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How To Make Gnocchi with Sausage
- Brown the Sausage Base – Cook the Italian sausage with onion in a large skillet until fully cooked and broken into small pieces, then stir in the garlic briefly.
- Add Tomato – Mix in the tomato paste and let it cook for a minute so it deepens in flavor.
- Create the Sauce – Pour in the broth and cream, stirring to form a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Cook the Gnocchi – Add the gnocchi directly to the skillet and let it simmer until tender and coated in sauce.
- Finish & Season – Stir in Parmesan, season with salt and pepper, and serve while warm.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Break Up the Sausage Well – Smaller pieces spread flavor throughout the dish instead of clumping.
- Cook the Tomato Paste Briefly – Letting it darken slightly adds depth to the sauce.
- Keep the Simmer Gentle – A low simmer helps the cream stay smooth and prevents the sauce from separating.
- Stir Occasionally – Light stirring keeps the gnocchi from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Swap the Protein – Ground turkey or chicken sausage works if you want something lighter.
- Finish with Extra Parmesan – A final sprinkle adds richness and helps everything come together.
Yes. Fresh gnocchi will cook faster, so keep an eye on it. Frozen gnocchi works too but may need an extra minute or two to become tender. I prefer the shelf stable gnocchi down the pasta aisle.
Spinach, kale, or mushrooms can be stirred in near the end and cooked until just tender.
I’m not ready and I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. 🙂 What a lovely dish of gnocchi!
Yum! Looks like the perfect wintertime comfort food!
I love how fast and easy this is! Love gnocchi, so I can’t wait to try this. Thanks for posting!
My kids have just discovered gnocchi and I”ve been on the hunt for recipes. Perfect timing!
Who doesn’t love gnocchi? This dish looks like it would be perfect during the winter!
I kind of cannot wait to relax next week. I need it! And now I want to do it with a plate of this pasta!
Love this dish and it’s perfect for these busy weeks ahead!
We’ve decided to eat out this year for Thanksgiving, so I’m totally ready 🙂 But not ready at all for the pre-Thanksgiving party I’m doing tonight. Love, love, love this dish. It looks so perfect for a cold evening by the fire.
Oh goodness, I want this.