Description
This creamy one pan gnocchi with sausage and zucchini is an easy, comforting dinner that combines savory Italian sausage, tender gnocchi, fresh zucchini, and spinach in a luscious tomato and cream sauce. Perfect for a weeknight meal, it’s made all in one pot for minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Sausage & Vegetables
- 16 ounces sweet or mild Italian sausage
- 1 cup diced onion (about 1 medium onion)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 16 ounces (1 large or 2 medium) zucchini, quartered and cut into 1/2 inch pieces (about 3 cups)
Tomato & Liquids
- 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/4 cup water
Pasta & Greens
- 16 ounces potato gnocchi
- 5 ounces baby spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for topping if desired
Finishing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus additional for serving
Instructions
- Brown Sausage and Onion: In a 5 to 6 quart Dutch oven over medium heat, add the Italian sausage and diced onion. Break up large pieces of sausage with a spoon and cook until the sausage is no longer pink and the onions start to soften, about 5 to 6 minutes.
- Cook Zucchini and Garlic: Add the quartered and chopped zucchini pieces along with minced garlic to the pot. Stir and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes until the zucchini begins to soften but still retains some bite.
- Add Tomatoes and Water: Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and ¼ cup of water. Stir the ingredients and bring the mixture to a simmer, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Simmer Gnocchi: Stir in the potato gnocchi until well combined. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and let simmer for 6 to 7 minutes or until the gnocchi is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Greens and Cream: Stir in the baby spinach leaves and fresh basil. Cook until the spinach just begins to wilt. Then add the heavy cream and shredded Parmesan cheese. Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
- Final Touches: Stir the dish well to combine all flavors evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve in shallow pasta bowls topped with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- This dish is a quick and easy one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights, combining hearty sausage, tender gnocchi, and fresh vegetables in a creamy tomato sauce.
- Use sweet or mild Italian sausage to keep the flavor balanced and not too spicy.
- Buying fresh gnocchi from the refrigerated section provides the best texture, but frozen gnocchi can be used as well.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream alternative.
- Leftovers reheat well in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.75 cups
- Calories: 521 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 921 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 83 mg
