Description
This Creamy Tomato Sausage Gnocchi is a comforting and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring soft potato gnocchi simmered in a rich tomato and cream sauce with savory Italian sausage. The sauce is enhanced with garlic, onions, and a touch of Parmesan cheese, finished with fresh basil for a burst of freshness. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that comes together in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound Gnocchi (Soft potato dumplings that absorb the sauce beautifully.)
- 1 pound Italian Sausage (Either sweet or spicy, adds depth to the dish.)
- 28 ounces Canned Diced Tomatoes (Provides acidity and brightness to the sauce.)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (Adds richness to the sauce.)
- 4 cloves Garlic (Minced for aromatic flavor.)
- 1 medium Onion (Finely chopped to add sweetness.)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (Used for sautéing.)
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (For a finishing touch of umami flavor.)
- 1 handful Fresh Basil (Adds freshness and color.)
- Salt and Pepper (To taste.)
Instructions
- Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until aromatic, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook Sausage: Crumble the Italian sausage into the skillet and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally to break it up.
- Simmer Tomatoes: Pour in the canned diced tomatoes with their juices and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for 5 minutes to develop flavors.
- Add Cream: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, cooking gently until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes creamy.
- Cook Gnocchi: In a separate pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the gnocchi according to package instructions until they float, indicating they are done. Drain well.
- Combine Gnocchi and Sauce: Transfer the cooked gnocchi to the skillet with the tomato and sausage sauce. Gently fold to coat the gnocchi without breaking them.
- Add Parmesan: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and enriches the sauce.
- Season and Serve: Taste and season the dish with salt and freshly ground pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a spicy kick, use spicy Italian sausage instead of sweet.
- Fresh gnocchi can be used in place of store-bought for a softer texture.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved gnocchi cooking water to loosen it.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it may not be as rich.
- Freshly grated Parmesan enhances flavor better than pre-grated cheese.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad or garlic bread.
