One Pan Creamy Gnocchi with Sausage: A Comforting Weeknight Dinner Made in Just 20 Minutes

If you love creamy, rich, comforting weeknight dinners that require almost no cleanup, then One Pan Creamy Gnocchi with Sausage is about to become your new best friend in the kitchen. This dish checks all the boxes:
✔ One pan
✔ Ready in under 25 minutes
✔ Ultra creamy
✔ Loaded with savory Italian sausage
✔ Zero boiling, zero draining, zero stress

The beauty of gnocchi — those soft, pillow-like potato dumplings — is that they cook directly in the sauce, absorbing flavor, thickening naturally, and becoming buttery-tender. Paired with browned Italian sausage, garlic, and a velvety Parmesan cream sauce, this dish transforms into something luxurious enough for guests but easy enough for even the busiest nights.

Today you’ll get a full, deeply detailed breakdown: ingredient science, pro tips, step-by-step instructions, substitutions, add-ins, serving ideas, storage methods, and customization options — plus the complete FoodieMoms recipe package including JSON, image prompts, and Pinterest content.

Let’s dig into the skillet full of comfort.

What Makes This Recipe So Special?

1. Gnocchi cooks directly in the sauce — no boiling needed

Traditional pasta requires boiling water in a separate pot, draining, then mixing.
Not gnocchi.
It cooks right in the same skillet, thickening the sauce and absorbing flavor.

2. Italian sausage adds instant savory depth

No need for long simmering. The fat, herbs, and spices from the sausage season the entire dish.

3. One pan = zero stress

This recipe is perfect for:

• Busy parents
• College students
• Beginner cooks
• Anyone who hates washing dishes

4. The sauce is unbelievably creamy

Made with:

• Heavy cream
• Parmesan
• Chicken broth
• Sausage drippings

It’s rich, luscious, and perfectly coats every gnocchi.

5. It’s customizable

Add veggies, swap meats, change cheeses — more on that later.

Ingredients

• 1 lb shelf-stable or refrigerated potato gnocchi
• 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups fresh spinach (optional but recommended)
• Optional: red pepper flakes for heat

Instructions

1. Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
2. Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add Butter: Melt butter into the pan for extra richness.
4. Pour Liquids: Add chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well to combine.
5. Add Seasoning: Add Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
6. Add Gnocchi: Stir in the gnocchi, fully submerging it in the sauce.
7. Simmer: Cover and cook 6–8 minutes, stirring halfway, until gnocchi is tender and sauce has thickened.
8. Add Spinach: Stir in spinach until wilted.
9. Stir in Parmesan: Add grated Parmesan and mix until melted into a creamy sauce.
10. Serve: Taste, adjust seasoning, and serve hot.

One Pan Creamy Gnocchi with Sausage

A rich, comforting one-pan dinner featuring tender gnocchi simmered in a creamy Parmesan sauce with savory Italian sausage. Ready in under 25 minutes with no boiling required.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American, Italian

Calories: 540

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main

• 1 lb gnocchi shelf-stable or refrigerated
• 1 lb Italian sausage casings removed
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups spinach fresh

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Measuring cups
• Wooden spoon
• Knife

Method

 

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook Italian sausage until browned.
2. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Melt butter into the skillet.
4. Stir in chicken broth and heavy cream.
5. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
6. Add gnocchi, stir to coat, and submerge in sauce.
7. Cover and simmer 6–8 minutes until gnocchi is tender and sauce thickens.
8. Stir in spinach until wilted.
9. Mix in grated Parmesan until creamy.
10. Serve hot.

Notes

Add more broth if sauce thickens too much. Use spicy sausage for extra flavor.

Expert Tips

Don’t Overcook the Gnocchi

It softens quickly — check it around 6 minutes.

Freshly grated Parmesan melts better

Bagged cheese can make the sauce grainy.

Add broth if sauce becomes too thick

Gnocchi absorbs a lot of liquid.

Use spicy sausage for extra flavor

It balances the cream beautifully.

Great Add-Ins and Variations

• Sun-dried tomatoes for tang
• Mushrooms sautéed with sausage
• Kale instead of spinach
• Crushed tomatoes for a rosé sauce
• Vodka splash for depth
• Red pepper flakes for heat
• Fresh basil for brightness

Serving Suggestions

Serve this dish with:

• Garlic bread
• A simple Caesar salad
• Roasted vegetables
• A crisp white wine
• A sprinkle of fresh parsley

It’s rich enough to be the main event, but pairs beautifully with something light and crunchy on the side.

Storage & Reheating

Store:

Refrigerate up to 3 days.

Reheat:

Warm on stovetop with a splash of cream or broth to loosen sauce.

Freezing:

Not recommended — dairy-based sauces separate after thawing.