Pin It A comforting, rich weeknight dinner featuring pillowy gnocchi, savory Italian sausage, and a velvety tomato-cream sauce.
This dish quickly became a favorite in my home for its ease and delicious flavor combination.
Ingredients
- Potato gnocchi: 500 g (1 lb), store-bought or homemade
- Heavy cream: 100 ml (1/2 cup)
- Parmesan cheese: 40 g (1/4 cup), freshly grated
- Italian sausage: 300 g (10 oz), mild or spicy, casings removed
- Yellow onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Canned crushed tomatoes: 400 g (14 oz)
- Baby spinach: 100 g (3.5 oz), optional
- Fresh basil: 2 tbsp chopped plus extra for garnish
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Dried oregano: 1/2 tsp
- Chili flakes: 1/4 tsp, optional
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Boil Water:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook Sausage:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage, break it up with a spoon, and cook for 45 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic:
- Add chopped onion and cook until softened about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, oregano, and chili flakes cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Simmer Tomatoes:
- Pour in crushed tomatoes add salt and pepper to taste and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add Cream:
- Stir in heavy cream reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 23 minutes until sauce is creamy.
- Add Spinach and Basil:
- Add spinach if using and basil stirring until spinach wilts.
- Cook Gnocchi:
- While sauce simmers cook gnocchi according to package directions until they float to surface about 23 minutes.
- Combine:
- Drain gnocchi and add to sauce toss gently to coat and heat through for 12 minutes.
- Finish and Serve:
- Stir in Parmesan cheese adjust seasoning if needed and serve hot garnished with extra basil.
Pin It This recipe always brings my family together around the dinner table sharing stories and laughter.
Notes
Pair with a crisp green salad and a glass of Chianti to complete the meal.
Required Tools
Large pot large skillet wooden spoon or spatula colander chef's knife and cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (gnocchi) Milk (cream Parmesan) and may contain Egg (depending on gnocchi brand) Sausage may contain additional allergens please check labels Always double-check ingredient labels for specific allergens
Pin It 
This creamy tomato and sausage gnocchi recipe is perfect for any weeknight meal and sure to impress.
Recipe Q&A
- → Can I use a different type of sausage?
Yes, Italian chicken or turkey sausages work well as lighter alternatives without sacrificing flavor.
- → How do I know when gnocchi are cooked?
Gnocchi are ready when they float to the surface of boiling water, usually after 2–3 minutes.
- → Can this be made vegetarian?
For a vegetarian option, omit the sausage or use plant-based alternatives and add extra vegetables like mushrooms or peppers.
- → What can I serve alongside this dish?
A crisp green salad and a glass of Chianti complement the flavors beautifully for a complete meal.
- → Is it possible to prepare the sauce in advance?
Yes, the tomato-cream sauce can be made ahead and gently reheated when ready to serve with freshly cooked gnocchi.