Creamy Italian Sausage and Spinach Gnocchi
A comforting dish featuring tender gnocchi in a luscious cream sauce with savory Italian sausage and vibrant spinach, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
For the sauce
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 4-5 pieces chicken sausages, sliced (Italian or Spicy Italian preferred)
- 1 piece shallot, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, plus more as needed
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
- 1 pound gnocchi (or cauliflower gnocchi for a lighter option)
- 3 cups fresh spinach, chopped (or substitute with 1 cup of thawed frozen peas)
- 1-2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- 1/4 cup basil leaves, julienned
Instructions
Cooking the Sausage
- Place a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Wait until the oil warms up before adding the sliced chicken sausages. Sauté them until they’re golden brown, about 3-5 minutes per side. Once done, transfer the sausages to a large plate and set them aside.
Preparing the Sauce
- In the same skillet, pour in the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced shallots, minced garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until the shallot becomes tender, roughly 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning and tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute.
- Gradually incorporate the chicken broth and heavy cream (or coconut milk) into the skillet, adding the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir until evenly mixed.
Cooking Gnocchi
- Add the gnocchi to the simmering sauce. Cook and stir occasionally until the gnocchi is tender, about 3-5 minutes.
Finishing the Dish
- Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and toss in the chopped spinach. Cook until the spinach wilts beautifully.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt into the sauce.
- Garnish with julienned basil and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve with garlic bread on the side.
Notes
For a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes while cooking the shallots. You can also experiment with kale or Swiss chard instead of spinach. To lighten the dish, substituting heavy cream for unsweetened coconut milk is an excellent choice.