This One-Pan Sausage Gnocchi Recipe is a quick, creamy skillet dinner featuring garlic and herb chicken sausage, tender gnocchi, fresh spinach, and a rich garlic cream sauce.
Made with simple ingredients and cooked in a single skillet, this satisfying meal is ready in under 15 minutes and serves four people. With minimal preparation and easy cleanup, it is a convenient option for busy weeknights.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories: 282 per serving
- Protein: 24g per serving
- Cooking Method: Stovetop
Ingredients for One-Pan Sausage Gnocchi
Gather the following ingredients before starting to make the cooking process easier and more efficient.
- 2 teaspoons unsalted butter: Used to brown the sausage and add a rich, buttery flavor.
- 12 ounces garlic and herb chicken sausage: Slice the sausage diagonally into evenly sized pieces for quick, consistent cooking.
- 14 ounces frozen gnocchi: Provides a soft, tender pasta base that cooks directly in the skillet.
- 2 tablespoons chicken bone broth: Adds moisture and helps the gnocchi cook while contributing savory flavor.
- 1 garlic clove, minced: Adds a fragrant, savory element to the sauce.
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream: Creates a smooth, creamy coating for the sausage and gnocchi.
- 1/2 cup fresh spinach, torn: Brings freshness, color, and a tender texture to the finished dish.
Where to Buy Gnocchi
Frozen gnocchi is available at several grocery retailers, including Trader Joe’s. Target also carries frozen gnocchi varieties, such as four-cheese gnocchi, that can be used in this recipe. If frozen gnocchi is unavailable, shelf-stable gnocchi is another option.
Keep in mind that the cooking instructions and liquid requirements may vary depending on the type you choose.
How to Make One-Pan Sausage Gnocchi
This recipe comes together in a few straightforward stages. Use the same skillet throughout the process to develop flavor while keeping cleanup simple.
Step 1: Brown the Chicken Sausage
Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the unsalted butter. Once the butter has melted, arrange the diagonally sliced chicken sausage in the pan.
Cook for approximately five minutes, stirring occasionally, until the slices develop a golden-brown exterior.
Add the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Avoid cooking the garlic for too long, as it can burn and develop a bitter taste. Transfer the browned sausage and garlic to a plate and keep warm while preparing the gnocchi.
Step 2: Cook the Frozen Gnocchi
Add the frozen gnocchi and chicken bone broth to the same skillet. Stir briefly to distribute the broth, then cover the pan with a lid. Cook for approximately four minutes, allowing the gnocchi to soften and absorb some of the liquid.
Keep the skillet covered during this stage to retain moisture and help the gnocchi cook evenly. Check the pasta for tenderness before proceeding.
Step 3: Prepare the Creamy Spinach Sauce
Remove the lid and pour in the heavy cream. Add the torn spinach and stir gently to combine. Continue cooking for one to two minutes, stirring regularly, until the spinach has wilted and the gnocchi is tender.
If the skillet looks dry before the gnocchi is fully cooked, add a little extra broth to prevent sticking and help the pasta finish cooking.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
Return the browned sausage and garlic to the skillet. Stir everything together until the sausage and gnocchi are evenly coated with the creamy sauce and the ingredients are heated through.
Remove the pan from the heat and serve immediately while the sauce is warm and the gnocchi is tender. For an additional savory finish, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over individual portions.
Helpful Cooking Tips
Adjust the Sauce Consistency
For a creamier, more generously sauced dish, increase the chicken bone broth to 1 cup and the heavy cream to 3 tablespoons.
This adjustment is particularly useful when preparing the recipe with shelf-stable gnocchi, which may require additional liquid. Add the broth gradually and monitor the texture as the pasta cooks.
Avoid Burning the Garlic
Garlic cooks quickly, especially in a hot skillet. Adding it after the sausage has browned and cooking it briefly helps preserve its aroma without allowing it to burn. If the skillet is particularly hot, lower the heat before adding the garlic.
Customize with Additional Ingredients
This skillet meal is easy to adapt to different tastes. Consider adding sun-dried tomatoes for a concentrated, tangy flavor, or increase the amount of spinach for extra vegetables.
Red pepper flakes can provide a little heat, while freshly grated Parmesan adds a salty, savory finish.
Avoid adding raw diced onions directly to the hot skillet without adjusting the cooking process, as small pieces can burn while the sausage browns. If you want to include onions, cook them gently until softened before adding the sausage.
Make Preparation Easier
Measure the broth and cream, mince the garlic, and slice the sausage before heating the skillet. Preparing everything in advance helps the cooking stages flow smoothly and reduces the chance of overcooking the garlic or sausage. Additional chopping and elaborate garnishes can extend the overall preparation time.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the creamy sausage gnocchi hot in shallow bowls, with each portion containing a generous amount of sausage, tender pasta, and spinach. Warm garlic breadsticks make a suitable accompaniment, particularly for soaking up the remaining sauce.
For a lighter meal, pair the skillet with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables. If you enjoy extra cheese, finish the dish with Parmesan just before serving.
Recipe Variations
There are several ways to change the flavor and ingredients while keeping the same basic skillet method.
- Sausage and Mushroom Gnocchi: Add sliced mushrooms and cook them until tender before combining them with the cream sauce.
- Spinach and Feta Gnocchi: Finish the skillet with crumbled feta for a tangy, salty flavor.
- Lemon Cream Gnocchi: Add a little fresh lemon zest and juice to brighten the creamy sauce.
- Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi: Stir in marinara sauce and finish with mozzarella and Parmesan for a cheesy variation.
- Spicy Sausage Gnocchi: Add red pepper flakes during the final simmer for a touch of heat.
- Vegetarian Gnocchi: Replace the chicken sausage with sautéed mushrooms and additional vegetables, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken bone broth.
Other dishes to explore include Italian sausage and gnocchi soup, sheet-pan summer gnocchi, creamy sausage and mushroom gnocchi, and gnocchi with sausage in vodka sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Each serving provides approximately the following nutritional values:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 282 |
| Total Fat | 14g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Cholesterol | 101mg |
| Sodium | 721mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 15g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Total Sugars | 1g |
| Protein | 24g |
| Vitamin C | 5mg |
| Calcium | 64mg |
| Iron | 3mg |
| Potassium | 455mg |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Nutritional information is an estimate based on the specified ingredients and may vary depending on the sausage, gnocchi, broth, and other products used.
Final Thoughts
One-Pan Sausage Gnocchi is a practical weeknight dinner that brings together browned chicken sausage, tender gnocchi, fresh spinach, and a creamy garlic sauce in a single skillet.
Its short cooking time, straightforward ingredients, and flexible variations make it easy to fit into a busy meal routine.
Serve it fresh from the pan with a simple side, and enjoy a comforting dinner with very little cleanup.
