Description
This creamy one pan gnocchi with sausage and zucchini is a hearty and comforting Italian-inspired dish. Combining savory Italian sausage, tender zucchini, and fluffy potato gnocchi in a rich tomato and cream sauce, it’s a perfect weeknight meal that’s both easy to make and full of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and 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 ½ inch pieces (about 3 cups)
Tomato and Gnocchi
- 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- ¼ cup water
- 16 ounces potato gnocchi
Greens and Herbs
- 5 ounces baby spinach leaves
- ½ cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for topping if desired
Dairy and Cheese
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, additional for serving
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage and Onions: In a 5 to 6 quart Dutch oven, over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage and diced onion, breaking up large pieces of sausage as it cooks. Stir occasionally until the sausage is no longer pink and the onions have started to soften, about 5 to 6 minutes.
- Cook the Zucchini and Garlic: Add the quartered zucchini pieces and minced garlic to the pan. Continue to cook for another 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini begins to soften but still retains some texture.
- Simmer with Tomatoes and Water: Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes along with ¼ cup water. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to combine the flavors.
- Add Gnocchi and Simmer: Stir in the potato gnocchi. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently for 6 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is tender and cooked through.
- Mix in Greens, Herbs, Cream, and Cheese: Stir in the baby spinach and chopped basil until the spinach begins to wilt. Then add the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Turn off the heat and cover the pan for 5 minutes to allow everything to meld.
- Final Taste and Serve: Stir the dish well before serving. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve in shallow pasta bowls topped with extra shredded Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- This one pan meal is both hearty and simple, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
- You can use either sweet or mild Italian sausage depending on your spice preference.
- The gnocchi can be fresh or store-bought; just make sure to cook it until tender.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream alternative.
- Additional fresh basil and Parmesan cheese make wonderful toppings to enhance the flavor.
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
