This creamy Tuscan sausage gnocchi is the ultimate comfort food! Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, cream, and fresh basil make the most amazing sauce.
My husband loooved this recipe, and he doesn't even like creamy sauces. I had steak planned for dinner on the day I made this recipe, and I couldn't stop sneaking bites of this despite the very real risk of ruining my dinner. 😛
This recipe was inspired by my Tuscan sausage pasta, which has been a big hit - especially with my Instagram audience.
To make this recipe, I use the shelf-stable gnocchi found in the dry pasta aisle. I've had readers test similar recipes with fresh homemade gnocchi, and the one pan technique does not seem to work as well, so I would stick with the dry stuff.
I used half of a 5-pack of Johnsonville mild Italian sausages. Feel free to use hot Italian sausages if that's your thing! Oh, and if you feel so inclined, replace the chicken broth with white wine... it'll taste amazing.
I list basil as optional because the sauce is flavorful enough without it, but in my opinion, fresh basil is one of the true joys of life, so I use it whenever I can. I do not have a green thumb at all, but I look forward to growing fresh basil in my plant pots every year. Just use a small handful in this recipe and it's elevated to another dimension of OMGthisisgood.
More one pan gnocchi recipes you may like:
- Chicken Bacon Gnocchi
- 15 Minute One Pan Creamy Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Gnocchi
- One Pan Creamy Gnocchi with Sausage (it's quite similar to this recipe!)
- Creamy Tomato Gnocchi
- Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Gnocchi
These one-pan gnocchi recipes are just so good and easy to make that there's sure to be one that suits everyone's tastes. I've had a lot of happy readers use this gnocchi cooking method, so I'm always encouraged to keep the recipes coming. 😉
What to serve with Italian sausage gnocchi
It's quite rich and filling, so I recommend a salad or steamed veggies on the side.
This "Tuscan" sauce is pretty popular on the internet these days, and so I certainly jumped on that bandwagon. The Olive Garden made it famous, and for good reason. There's something magical about this flavor combo.
Love this sauce? Try these Tuscan-inspired recipes:
Let me know if you've made this Tuscan gnocchi recipe!
Questions? Leave me a comment below.
Creamy Tuscan Sausage Gnocchi
Ingredients
- 8.8 ounces Italian sausages crumbled
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 pound potato gnocchi
- 1.5 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil (optional) to taste
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Take the sausage meat out of the casings and crumble it into a deep skillet. Sauté the sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it up as you go along, until browned (about 5-7 minutes).
- Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Add the chicken broth, cream, lemon juice, sun-dried tomatoes, and gnocchi to the pan. Give it a good stir.
- Reduce the heat to medium and cover the pan. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Give the gnocchi a stir and then add in the spinach. Cover the pan again for 1-2 minutes until the spinach has wilted.
- Stir in the parmesan and basil (if using). Ensure the gnocchi is cooked through and the sauce is thickened to your liking (cook for another minute or two if necessary). Season with salt & pepper to taste and serve immediately.
Notes
- There is no need to pre-cook the gnocchi. It cooks right in the sauce and the starch released from the potatoes will thicken the sauce.
- Anything around the 8.8 oz ballpark for the sausages will work. I bought a 5-pack of Johnsonville mild Italian sausages and used half of it. Feel free to just buy sausage meat if that's easier.
- I used the oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes that come in a jar. I drained the oil prior to adding them to the skillet.
- Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
Dianne says
I made this for my parents and it was a huge hit and have to not make it weekly for them! I used my homemade gniocchis and cooked them separately and added them in after they were cooked and turned out great! This week I am going to premade bow ties and add them in but the gniocci are primo! Love this recipe!!! Thank you! So easy!!!!
Natasha says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it! Love homemade gnocchi. 🙂
Monroe says
I’ve made this recipe a couple now and I make my own gnocchi and it is the bomb! One of my favorites as a college student and will follow me for years to come.
Natasha says
That's great to hear!! 😀
Mike says
I took over cooking in August, and this is by far and away my wife's favorite thing I make. I look forward to trying your other recipes!
Natasha says
Aww I love that!! Thanks for your review, Mike!
Mary Schreiber says
Oh my goodness! This was the creamiest, flavorful, soul warming dish I’ve made in a long time. Outstanding. Did not change one thing. Thank you so much.😊
Natasha says
That makes me so happy to hear, Mary!!
TGlow says
absolutely delicious!!! used 1/2&1/2 because i had it open in the fridge and it still turned out perfectly creamy and thick! served with garlic bread and salad (and a crisp glass of sauvignon blanc 😉)
quick enough for a weekday meal but also would be a showstopper for guests!
Natasha says
So glad you enjoyed it!! 😀
Dominique says
Excellent and super easy!
Natasha says
Thank you so much!
Nancy Pritchard says
Made it for dinner yesterday and it was a hit. Used milk instead of cream and it was fine. It's a keeper recipe.
Natasha says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Tracy Davenport says
Easy to make, all in one pan. Tasted SO good, my husband said this is one of his favorite meals that I've made
Natasha says
That's great to hear, Tracy!! Thanks for your review! 🙂
JoAnne says
Amazing!!! I used Sun-dried tomato from the freezer and they also worked just fine. My husband loved it and requested it for his next day lunch.
Natasha says
I love that! Thanks for your review, JoAnne!
Jaime says
This was so delicious. So easy and quick, and all in one pan!
Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says
We're so happy you found it easy and tasty, Jaime! 🙂