Description
This creamy one-pan gnocchi with sausage and zucchini is a hearty, easy-to-make meal perfect for a weeknight dinner. Packed with Italian sausage, tender zucchini, baby spinach, fresh basil, and creamy Parmesan-infused sauce, this comforting dish comes together quickly in a single Dutch oven, making cleanup a breeze.
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 Cheese
- 5 ounces baby spinach leaves
- ½ cup chopped fresh basil, more for topping if desired
- 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 together, breaking up large pieces of sausage with a spoon. Continue cooking until the sausage is no longer pink and the onions begin to soften, about 5 to 6 minutes.
- Sauté zucchini and garlic: Add the quartered, chopped zucchini and minced garlic to the Dutch oven. Cook for another 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini begins to soften but still holds some texture.
- Add tomatoes and simmer: Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and ¼ cup water. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer on medium heat.
- Cook the gnocchi: Stir in the potato gnocchi, mixing thoroughly. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and let simmer for 6 to 7 minutes until the gnocchi are tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add spinach, basil, cream, and cheese: Stir in the baby spinach and chopped fresh basil until the spinach starts 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 flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
- Serve and garnish: Stir the dish well before serving. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve in shallow pasta bowls topped with additional shredded Parmesan and fresh basil for garnish if desired.
Notes
- This dish is an all-in-one skillet meal, ideal for busy weeknights when you want something comforting but simple to prepare.
- To vary the protein, try substituting sweet or spicy Italian sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- Fresh basil adds bright herbal notes, but if unavailable, dried basil can be used in a pinch.
- Use fresh gnocchi if available for a softer texture, or frozen gnocchi—no need to thaw before adding.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream and Parmesan with coconut cream and a dairy-free cheese alternative.
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
