This Creamy Sausage Gnocchi is packed with savory goodness and satisfaction. With ingredients like chicken sausage, mushrooms, and Parmesan, you’ll enjoy the delightful combination of flavors in this scrumptious pasta dish.
Recipe Insights
Whenever I want to refresh my pasta night menu, this Creamy Sausage Gnocchi does the trick. Its delicious and tempting taste, alongside its simple preparation, ensures it’s a dish you’ll love!
- FLAVOR: This Creamy Sausage Gnocchi features rich sausage, earthy mushrooms, and nutty Parmesan cheese, culminating in a deeply fulfilling dish.
- TEXTURE: The gnocchi provides a robust texture perfect for absorbing indulgent sauces. This recipe surrounds the pasta in a luscious, creamy mushroom tomato sauce with bites of sausage throughout.
- TIME: This dish can be ready in a mere 30 minutes, making it an excellent option for busy weeknights.
- EASE: By using a semi-homemade sauce, this uncomplicated recipe conserves both time and effort, enhancing its convenience.
Ingredients Required
Ingredient Notes
- Gnocchi– You can opt for any type of gnocchi you like but keep an eye on the cooking time to avoid them becoming overly soft.
- Vegetables- Diced onion, garlic, and baby Bella mushrooms provide a hearty texture and earthy taste to this delightful dish.
- Fresh Mushroom Prego sauce– This particular sauce is preferred for its pronounced mushroom flavor, which complements the other ingredients perfectly.
- Heavy Cream– This element offers richness to the sauce, resulting in a creamier consistency.
- Parmesan Cheese– This cheese imparts a nutty and salty character, elevating the overall flavor of the sauce.
- Chicken Sausage– It contributes a savory, meaty essence to the dish, though alternative sausage types can be utilized.
Additions and Alternatives
- Make it meatless- If you desire a meatless option, simply skip the sausage. This tomato gnocchi dish remains flavorful without it.
- Substitute the pasta- If gnocchi is not on hand or you lean toward a lighter dish, consider using spaghetti, penne, or your favored pasta type, including gluten-free options.
- Experiment with different vegetables- If mushrooms aren’t your favorite, try adding fresh spinach, broccoli, or bell peppers. You can also find various sauces in stores to match your selected vegetables.
- Switch the protein- Feel free to prepare this recipe using Italian sausage, ground beef, or ground pork.
Steps to Make Creamy Sausage Gnocchi
- Cook the sausage. Remove the casing from the chicken sausage, then brown it in a large skillet over high heat.
- Add the onion and garlic. After the sausage is browned, stir in the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat until the onion becomes translucent.
- Add the mushrooms and tomato sauce. Introduce the sliced mushrooms and sauté until they’re tender. Then mix in the fresh mushroom Prego sauce.
Pro Tip:Â There is no need to add oil to the skillet, as the fat in the sausage is sufficient to prevent sticking.
- Mix in the cream. Add heavy cream to the pan, letting the sauce come to a simmer.
- Prepare the gnocchi. Concurrently, cook the gnocchi in salted water and set aside after cooking.
- Incorporate gnocchi, cheese, and spices. When the sauce is simmering, turn off the heat, then add the cooked gnocchi, grated Parmesan cheese, and salt. Stir until everything is blended together and serve while hot.
Helpful Recipe Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Gnocchi (pronounced nyawk-kee) are Italian dumplings traditionally crafted from ingredients such as potato, semolina, or flour. These tender pillows are substantial and pair beautifully with various rich sauces.
Without heavy cream, consider using full-fat coconut milk or a mixture of regular milk and melted butter. This alternative can provide a creamy texture and help thicken the sauce. While the flavor may vary slightly, it will still be quite enjoyable.
Serving Suggestions
This Creamy Sausage Gnocchi is hearty and satisfying. It’s an excellent match for bread, salad, soup, and vegetables.
- Breads: Enhance your pasta dish with some bread to soak in the wonderful sauce. Choices include Focaccia Bread, Rustic Bread (made overnight), Sourdough Bread, or Buttery Brioche Bread.
- Salads: Kick off your meal with a Spinach Salad, Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad, Broccoli Cranberry Salad, or Couscous Arugula Salad.
- Soups: Pair this Creamy Sausage Gnocchi with a cup of Tortellini Soup, Baked Potato Soup, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, or Easy French Onion Soup.
- Vegetables: Serve this pasta alongside Sautéed Garlic Asparagus, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli, or Air Fryer Green Beans.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Prepare ahead: You can cook the gnocchi in advance and store it in the refrigerator for a couple of days, while the sausage tomato sauce can be kept for 2-3 days. Use airtight containers for storage. When ready to serve, simply reheat and combine. It’s best to store the gnocchi separate from the sauce to maintain their texture and avoid them getting overly soft.
Storing: This Creamy Sausage Gnocchi will last for approximately 2 days in an airtight container in the fridge. The shelf life is limited, as the gnocchi tend to become mushy when mixed with the sauce for too long.
Freezing: This creamy chicken gnocchi can be frozen, but store the sauce and gnocchi separately. Freeze the gnocchi on a sheet pan to ensure they remain individual pieces before placing them in a zip-lock freezer bag. The tomato sauce can be stored in a zip-lock bag; flatten it out before stacking it upright for efficient storage.
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Detailed Recipe Instructions
In a large skillet, heat 2 pounds of mild Italian chicken sausage after removing its casing. There’s no need for additional oil since the sausage provides sufficient fat.
Once the sausage is browned, add 1/2 of a medium chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet.
Cook over medium heat while stirring until the onion becomes translucent and is fully cooked.
Next, add 8 oz of sliced baby Bella mushrooms and sauté them until they are tender. Then, pour in 1 1/2 cups of fresh mushroom Prego sauce.
Quickly incorporate 2 cups of heavy cream and let the sauce come to a simmer.
Meanwhile, cook 2 pounds of gnocchi in salted water and drain them once they are done.
After the sauce has simmered, turn off the heat and fold in the cooked gnocchi, 3/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and 1/4 tsp salt. Stir until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Remove the casing from the sausage- Before cooking, take off the casing from the sausage to allow the meat to crumble into the sauce, which improves the flavor.
- Prepare the sauce in advance- You may make the sauce a few days prior and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook the pasta.
- Do not overcook the gnocchi- As soon as the gnocchi start to float, remove them promptly. Overcooking could result in a mushy texture.
Fat:
19
g
|
Saturated Fat:
5
g
|
Cholesterol:
86
mg
|
Sodium:
2013
mg
|
Potassium:
298
mg
|
Fiber:
4
g
|
Sugar:
4
g
|
Vitamin A:
672
IU
|
Vitamin C:
6
mg
|
Calcium:
149
mg
|
Iron:
6
mg
