Tuscan Sausage Gnocchi (2024)

Tuscan Sausage Gnocchi is savory Italian sausage, creamy tomato sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, and pillowy potato gnocchi, topped with melted mozzarella and fresh parsley. Not only is it delicious, you can make it all in one oven-safe skillet and it’s ready in about 30 minutes! If you prefer chicken, you will want to check out my Tuscan Chicken and Gnocchi.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Sausage: I am fine with mild Italian sausage (I don’t want too much spice) as the base of the dish. But, if you love more of a kick, try hot Italian sausage. Other options are ground pork or turkey, seasoned with Italian seasoning or spices.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Follow the package instructions to soften the sun-dried tomatoes before chopping them. This helps them blend into the sauce better and not be crunchy. If using the ones packed in oil, just drain and chop.
• Spice Blend: Dried oregano, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper are the spices used to add flavor to the dish.
• Cheese:Both Parmesan and mozzarella cheese are used in the recipe. Parmesan is added to the sauce to help thicken it, while shredded mozzarella is sprinkled over the top before being baked to golden perfection (and gooeyness). You could also experiment with other types of cheese for topping, such as provolone, Monterey Jack, Havarti, or Gouda, to add your twist to the dish.
• Gnocchi:I used fresh potato gnocchi, which are small, soft dough dumplings, to add to the sauce. Gnocchi is a type of pasta made from potatoes, flour, and sometimes eggs. I have been on a gnocchi kick lately from my Lemon Gnocchi with Chicken to Kielbasa Gnocchi Soup, just to name a couple!
• Spinach: Although I used fresh spinach, frozen would also work. If using frozen spinach, let it thaw and drain it before adding it to the dish.

What I Serve With Tuscan Sausage Gnocchi

Since this is such a hearty dish, I like to serve it with lighter sides. Here are some options to round out your meal:

• Cucumber Salad
• Lettuce salad with a light vinaigrette dressing
• Garlic breadsticks
• Focaccia breadsticks (my favorite!)
• French baguette
• Roasted asparagus or green beans

What If I Don’t Have An Oven-Safe Skillet?

You can still get this delicious gnocchi dish made even without an oven-safe skillet. The skillet is nice because everything is cooked in one dish. But, it’s easy to make it without one, too.

1. Using a regular skillet or saucepan on the stove, cook the sausage.
2. Next, add the shallot, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and tomato paste.
3. Then, add the heavy cream, chicken broth, and other sauce ingredients to the skillet. Simmer until everything is well combined and the sauce has thickened slightly.
4. Once the sauce is prepared, pour it into a baking dish large enough to accommodate the other ingredients.
5. Add the gnocchi and spinach to the baking dish, stirring to combine.
6. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the mixture.
7. Finally, transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake as instructed in the original recipe, watching carefully as the baking time may need to be adjusted based on your oven’s temperature and the thickness of the dish.

How To Store Tuscan Sausage Gnocchi

To store Tuscan sausage gnocchi, first, let it cool to room temperature. Next, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.