One Pan Creamy Gnocchi with Sausage: A Cozy, Easy Weeknight Dinner You’ll Make Again and Again

There’s something magical about a one-pan meal that brings together rich, savory flavors, comforting textures, and zero fuss. One Pan Creamy Gnocchi with Sausage is exactly that kind of recipe — the type of cozy, creamy comfort food that tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant but takes less than 30 minutes to make in your own kitchen.

Gnocchi is one of the best-kept secrets of fast weeknight cooking. Unlike traditional pasta, which needs to be boiled separately, gnocchi cooks directly in the sauce, soaking up flavor and thickening everything with its natural starch. When paired with browned Italian sausage, fragrant garlic, tender onions, and a velvety cream sauce, you get a one-pan dinner that feels indulgent but is surprisingly effortless.

Whether you’re feeding your family, cooking for a date night, or craving a warm bowl of creamy comfort after a long day, this recipe checks every box: simple, hearty, satisfying, fast, and unbelievably delicious.

Why This Recipe Works

This dish is beloved for a reason. It combines flavors and textures in a way that feels rich and luxurious without needing complicated techniques.

1. Everything cooks in one pan

No need for separate pots, strainers, or extra dishes. The gnocchi cooks right in the simmering cream and broth mixture, absorbing flavor and becoming perfectly tender.

2. The sausage builds instant flavor

Italian sausage — mild or hot — creates a deeply savory base. The browned bits on the bottom of the pan enhance the sauce naturally.

3. Cream + parmesan = the perfect sauce

You get the ideal creamy consistency without needing flour, roux, or cornstarch. The gnocchi’s starch thickens the sauce beautifully.

4. It’s a balanced comfort meal

The rich sauce is offset by the brightness of spinach and fresh basil, making every bite feel satisfying but not heavy.

5. It’s endlessly flexible

You can swap the greens, change the sausage, add veggies, or switch up the spices. This recipe adapts to whatever you’re craving.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot), casings removed
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 pound potato gnocchi (shelf-stable)
• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions

1. Brown the sausage.
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Remove any excess grease if needed.
2. Sauté the aromatics.
   Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper, cooking until fragrant.
3. Deglaze and build the sauce.
   Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
4. Add the gnocchi.
   Stir in the gnocchi, making sure it’s mostly submerged. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 7–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the gnocchi becomes soft and pillowy.
5. Finish with cheese and greens.
   Stir in the freshly grated parmesan and spinach. Cook until the spinach wilts and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
6. Season and serve.
   Taste and adjust with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh basil and extra parmesan before serving.

One Pan Creamy Gnocchi with Sausage

A rich, comforting one-pan dinner made with tender gnocchi, savory Italian sausage, and a luscious parmesan cream sauce.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main

Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired

Calories: 520

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb Italian sausage mild or hot, casings removed
• 1 small onion finely diced
• 3-4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
• 1.5 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 lb potato gnocchi shelf-stable
• 1 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• salt and pepper to taste
• fresh basil for garnish

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cups
• Knife and cutting board

Method

 

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add sausage and cook until browned.
2. Add onion and cook until softened. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper.
3. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up brown bits.
4. Stir in gnocchi and simmer 7–8 minutes until tender and sauce thickens.
5. Add parmesan and spinach. Stir until melted and wilted.
6. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh basil and serve.

Notes

Add extra broth if the sauce becomes too thick. Use freshly grated parmesan for best results.

Tips for Perfect Creamy Gnocchi

Use freshly grated parmesan

Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt smoothly and can create a grainy sauce. Freshly grated melts like silk.

Don’t boil gnocchi separately

Its starch helps thicken the sauce — skipping this step keeps everything creamy.

Adjust thickness as needed

If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of broth. If it’s too thin, simmer another minute.

Brown the sausage well

The deeper the color, the richer the flavor.

Variations You’ll Love

This recipe is a blank canvas for creativity. Try any of these easy twists:

• Spicy Tuscan Gnocchi

Use hot Italian sausage + add sun-dried tomatoes.

• Chicken Gnocchi

Swap sausage for diced chicken breast or rotisserie chicken.

• Mushroom Gnocchi

Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onions for an earthy version.

• Tomato-Cream Gnocchi

Add ½ cup tomato sauce for a pink vodka-style sauce.

• Broccoli Gnocchi

Add small broccoli florets and cook them in the sauce with the gnocchi.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this cozy dish with:

• Garlic bread
• A simple side salad
• Roasted veggies
• A glass of crisp white wine

It’s also perfect for meal prep — leftovers reheat beautifully with a splash of broth.

Fun Fact: The Power of Gnocchi

Gnocchi has existed for centuries in Italy and was originally made by peasants as a hearty, energy-rich meal. Today, it’s beloved worldwide for its ability to pair with almost any sauce imaginable — from pesto to tomato sauce to creamy parmesan. Its versatility is exactly why this one-pan dish tastes like such a restaurant-quality dinner.