Imagine a dish that combines the hearty, robust flavors of Italian sausage with pillowy soft gnocchi, creating a meal that's both comforting and exciting. This one-skillet wonder is about to become your new go-to recipe that promises to transform an ordinary weeknight dinner into a restaurant-worthy feast. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, you'll be serving up a mouth-watering Italian-inspired meal that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 package (16 oz) gnocchi
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Remove Italian sausage from packaging and slice into bite-sized rounds approximately 1/2 inch thick.
- Heat a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add sliced sausage and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and cooked through.
- Mince garlic cloves finely and add to the skillet with the cooked sausage. Sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the can of diced tomatoes with their juices. Sprinkle Italian seasoning over the mixture and stir to combine.
- Reduce heat to medium and let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- Add the gnocchi directly to the skillet with the sausage and tomato sauce. Stir gently to coat the gnocchi and cook for 3-4 minutes until they are heated through and slightly tender.
- Add fresh spinach to the skillet and stir until the spinach wilts and becomes bright green, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Remove skillet from heat and transfer the sausage and gnocchi mixture to serving plates.
- Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately while hot.
Tips
- Choose high-quality Italian sausage for the best flavor - look for fresh, well-seasoned links from a local butcher if possible.
- Don't overcook the gnocchi - they should be tender but not mushy. Watch them carefully and stir gently to prevent sticking.
- For extra depth of flavor, consider browning the sausage thoroughly before adding other ingredients. The caramelization adds incredible richness to the dish.
- Fresh spinach is key - it should be added last and just wilted to maintain its vibrant color and nutritional value.
- Grate your Parmesan cheese fresh right before serving for the most intense flavor and best texture.
- If you want to make this dish even more luxurious, add a splash of white wine when simmering the tomatoes for an extra layer of complexity.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 540kcal
Carbohydrates: 44g
Protein: 26g
Fat: 34g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 60mg
