Looking for a super comforting and easy date night dinner? Try sausage and gnocchi with cream sauce! This satisfying recipe for two includes sausage, mushrooms, spinach, and cream. It’s savoury, creamy, delicious, and sure to be a favourite!
Winter, am I right?
You know what’s good for the soul in winter?
Comfort food!
Well, comfort food is kinda the perfect thing year-round but even more so in those colder months.
What better way to spend a cold winter day than to curl up with your sweetie and enjoy a big bowl of this sausage and gnocchi with cream sauce? Sounds pretty awesome, if you ask me.
Side note: gnocchi can be sneaky! When you look at the package, at first glance, it may not look like a lot. But, let me tell ya, it packs a punch. Combined with sausage, talk about hearty and filling.
Fan of gnocchi? Check out this cheesy baked gnocchi casserole!
Why We Love This Gnocchi With Cream Sauce Recipe
- Perfectly portioned for two, it’s a great date night recipe.
- With pillowy gnocchi, sausage, mushrooms, spinach and cream, it’s incredibly comforting.
- Gnocchi with cream sauce. Doesn’t that just sound good? Well, it tastes even better!
Can I Double This Recipe?
Most definitely! This gnocchi recipe is portioned for two people but can easily be doubled for more (you just may want to use a larger frying pan).
Can I Use Regular Sausage?
For sure! I used veggie sausage, but you can use regular pork sausage if you like. Just cook the sausage until cooked through and use like you would in this gnocchi with cream sauce recipe.
Tips and Variations
- Instead of baby spinach, try kale. You just have to cook a tad longer because it’s a little more hearty.
- Baby bella (or cremini) mushrooms were used, but you can totally use white button mushrooms if that’s what you have on hand.
- For an even richer sauce, replace the veggie broth with cream.
More Yummy Comfort Food Recipes
If you make this sausage and gnocchi with cream sauce, be sure to leave a comment below!
Sausage and Gnocchi With Cream Sauce
Ingredients
- 12 ounces gnocchi, about ¾ of a pound
- 1.5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 veggie Italian sausage
- 1 shallot, peeled and minced
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 6 ounces baby bella (cremini) mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 ounces baby spinach, about 2 handfuls
- pinch salt
- pinch freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
- ½ cup heavy cream (whipping cream)
- ¼ cup low sodium vegetable broth, or use chicken broth if you don't need it to be vegetarian
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more to taste for optional garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley leaves, garnish to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Place water in a large pot (enough according to gnocchi package instructions) and bring to a boil (for use shortly when cooking the gnocchi).
- Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a 10-inch non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
- Place the sausages in the pan and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on one side.
- Turn the sausages to the other side and continue cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes or until fully cooked through. Transfer the cooked sausages to a plate and set aside.
- If necessary (depending on how much grease is released from your sausage), heat remaining ½ tablespoon of olive oil in your pan for cooking the shallot. To pan, add shallot and cook, stirring often, for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add butter. Once melted, add mushrooms. Cook, stirring every so often, for about 5 minutes until they've lost some of their moisture. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant. Add spinach, salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir and cook 1 to 2 minutes until spinach has wilted.
- Pour in heavy cream and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer to reduce and thicken the cream, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook gnocchi according to package instructions, then drain.
- Slice the sausages and add them to the pan along with the cooked gnocchi. Stir to combine everything. Cook for 1 minute.
- Turn off heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese.
- To serve, portion into warm bowls and garnish with more Parmesan cheese and parsley (if desired). Enjoy!
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Christina K.
Oh my gosh, this is so tasty!!!! Made just as stated and wouldn’t change a thing! I’m not sure if I’m more in love with the mouthwatering taste or the fact that it came together in less than 30 min. Not sure if the kids will eat it-I’ll update if they do. But I’m surely going to enjoy it! And will make again!!!!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Your comment put a big smile on my face! Thanks very much, Christina!! So happy you enjoyed the recipe!! 🙂
Holly
This is a great one skillet meal. Sausage and gnocchi goes really well together and the spinach makes it well balanced meal. Looks beautiful! I am definitely trying this when I get some gnocchi next time.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Holly! Hope you enjoy!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
When it comes to comfort food, I’m all in! This sausage and gnocchi looks so delicious and perfect for a quick meal. I can’t wait to bite in to a forkful of deliciousness!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Same here! Thank you Kathy!!
Valentina
I’m definitely a year-round comfort food girl and I’d LOVE this any time! Such a delicious combination of textures and flavors. 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Valentina! Comfort food is the best, isn’t it??
Valentina
Yes! 🙂
Michelle | Sift & Simmer
This is absolutely my kind of comfort meal! Love the combination of sausage, mushrooms and gnocchi. Ohh how I wish I had a plate in front of me!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Michelle! I’d totally share if I could!
David @ Spiced
Yup. You are talking my kinda language with this recipe, Dawn. I love gnocchi. I love sausage. And I also love creamy pasta sauces. I’m going to go ahead and say we’d definitely need to double – or triple – this recipe here. It looks like the perfect winter comfort food!!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Yay! Thanks David! It’s a yummy one, for sure!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
Love the sausage with gnocchi combination. This looks so comforting and delicious! I need to give this a try!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Same here! Thanks Katherine – enjoy!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Beautiful and hearty dish! Love gnocchi and I can only imagine how nice it is with the sausage and mushrooms. Will definitely be trying this soon 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Jennifer! We just love this recipe.