Description
This Creamy Sausage And Spinach Gnocchi is a weeknight miracle that combines tender gnocchi with a rich cream sauce, savory beef sausage, and fresh spinach. It’s the ultimate comfort food that comes together in about 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- Potato Gnocchi
- Beef Sausage
- Fresh Spinach
- Heavy Cream
- Beef Broth
- Aromatics (Onion & Garlic)
- Parmesan Cheese
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Before you begin, dice your onion finely, mince your garlic, and measure out your broth and cream. Have your spinach ready to go. If using shelf-stable gnocchi, start boiling a pot of salted water now according to package directions, but don't add the gnocchi yet.
- Brown the Beef Sausage: Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of olive oil. Add the beef sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until it’s beautifully browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the cooked sausage to a plate, leaving about a tablespoon of rendered fat in the pan (drain excess if needed).
- Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the skillet with the reserved sausage drippings (or a little more olive oil if needed). Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Build the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Bring the broth to a gentle simmer. Then, stir in the heavy cream, salt, and black pepper. Let it return to a low simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes to slightly thicken.
- Cook the Gnocchi: While the sauce simmers, add your gnocchi to the pot of boiling salted water you prepared earlier. Cook according to package directions, which is usually only 2-3 minutes. Gnocchi are done when they float to the surface. Drain them well.
- Add Spinach and Combine: Add the fresh baby spinach to the simmering sauce. Stir gently until the spinach wilts down completely, which will only take a minute or two. Once wilted, return the cooked beef sausage to the skillet. Gently fold in the drained gnocchi.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in about half of the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining Parmesan cheese and an extra grind of black pepper, if desired. Enjoy your wonderfully creamy gnocchi!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: For an extra layer of texture, pan-fry the boiled gnocchi until golden. Add red pepper flakes for heat, and consider incorporating other vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers. Adjust sauce consistency with broth or gnocchi water as needed.