Marry Me Sausage and Gnocchi

Marry me sausage and gnocchi is a comforting one pan meal perfect for busy weeknights.

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I am totally on board with the trend of changing up the label for creamy dishes with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach from Tuscan (popularized by Olive Garden but entirely inaccurate) to ‘marry me…’. It’s a fun name that is meant to imply that the dish is so good, when you serve it to your significant other they will ask you to marry them.

This marry me sausage and gnocchi is no exception to the level of deliciousness that would warrant a proposal. Not to mention it’s to incredibly cozy and comforting.

This recipe features potato gnocchi, Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes and spinach all in a flavorful cream sauce. The gnocchi cooks right in the sauce, which means it soaks up all the delicious flavors.

This marry me sausage and gnocchi recipe is made all in one pan and in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for an easy date night, quick lunch or busy weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Gnocchi: gnocchi is an Italian potato dumpling. You’ll want to use shelf stable potato gnocchi.
Italian sausage: you can use sweet, mild or hot and either pork or chicken sausage.
Sun-dried tomatoes: used the ones packed in oil and chop them up so you get a little bit in each bite.
Spinach: adds a pop of color and really compliments the sun-dried tomatoes.
Tomato paste: to deepen the flavor and dimension of the cream sauce.
Chicken broth: the gnocchi cooks right in the sauce so chicken broth is used to make it extra flavorful.
Cream: you can use heavy cream, light cream or half & half to make the sauce creamy.
Parmesan: to add some cheesy goodness to the sauce.
Aromatics: this gnocchi recipe is flavored with fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt and black pepper.

Equipment

Sauté pan
Cutting board and knife
Measuring cups and spoons
Wooden spoon

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, crumble with a wooden spoon and cook until browned, about 4-5 minutes.
2. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes and sauté one minute.
3. Add tomato paste and toast, while stirring, for one minute.
4. Add sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth and half & half. Bring everything to a simmer and scrape up any brown bits suck to the bottom of the pan. Add the gnocchi and submerge as much as possible in the sauce. Cover the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring once or twice.
5. Add the spinach, parmesan and basil, stir and cook just until the spinach as wilted.

Tips

• Use the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar for extra flavor.
• Allow the tomato paste to toast for 1-2 minutes before adding other ingredients to deepen its flavor.
• Chop up the sun-dried tomatoes into small pieces so you get a little bit in every bite.
• The sauce may seem thin at first, but as the gnocchi cooks, it releases starches that help thicken the sauce and bind it to the gnocchi.

Substitutions

Italian sausage: you can use mild, sweet or hot Italian sausage, and either pork or chicken sausage.
Cream: heavy cream (36% fat) will yield the richest dish, while light cream (18-35% fat) will yield a slightly lighter cream sauce and half & half (10-18%) will yield the lightest sauce. Half & half will have the highest chance of separating if over too high heat however, the starch from the gnocchi helps bind the sauce.
Red pepper flakes: adjust or omit red pepper flakes according to your own spice preference.

More Recipes You’ll Love

• Gnocchi Bolognese
• Tuscan Spaghetti Squash
• Tuscan Stuffed Chicken
• Shrimp and Rice Skillet
• Tomato Basil Spaghetti

If you make this Marry Me Sausage Gnocchi, be sure to leave a comment below and rate this recipe! If you snap a pic, be sure to tag me on Instagram @thechowdown! I love seeing your creations!