Of course! An Italian Sausage and Gnocchi Bake is the ultimate comfort food dinner. It’s hearty, cheesy, and incredibly easy to make, with the pillowy gnocchi soaking up all the delicious flavors of the sauce.
Here’s a classic, crowd-pleasing recipe that comes together in one pan.
One-Pan Italian Sausage and Gnocchi Bake
This recipe is a complete meal in one dish, with a rich tomato sauce, savory sausage, and a bubbly, golden cheese topping.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Ingredients
· 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage links (sweet or hot), casings removed
· 1 tbsp olive oil
· 1 small yellow onion, chopped
· 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 (24 oz) jar of your favorite marinara sauce
· 1/2 cup heavy cream, half-and-half, or whole milk (for creaminess)
· 1 (16 oz) package shelf-stable potato gnocchi (do not thaw if frozen)
· 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
· 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
· 1 tsp Italian seasoning
· Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
· Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and Brown Sausage: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large, oven-safe skillet (like cast iron), heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until well-browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
- Create the Sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce and the heavy cream. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it come to a gentle simmer. Season with Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Add Gnocchi: Stir in the uncooked gnocchi, ensuring each piece is coated in the sauce. If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer everything to a 9×13 inch baking dish at this point.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet (or baking dish) to the preheated oven. Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly, the gnocchi is tender, and the cheese is golden brown and melted.
- Rest and Serve: Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Tips for a Perfect Gnocchi Bake & Variations
· Don’t Boil the Gnocchi: There’s no need to pre-cook the gnocchi! It cooks perfectly in the sauce in the oven, absorbing all the flavor and becoming wonderfully tender.
· Sausage Choice: Using sausage with the casings gives you the best flavor, but you can substitute 1 lb of ground Italian sausage to save a step.
· Add Veggies: Feel free to add more vegetables to make it a complete meal. Sliced mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini are great additions. Sauté them with the onions.
· Creamy Tomato Sauce: The heavy cream is optional but highly recommended. It creates a richer, velvety sauce that balances the acidity of the tomatoes. You can omit it for a lighter version.
· Cheese Variations: A combination of mozzarella for stretch and Parmesan for flavor is perfect. For extra creaminess, add small dollops of fresh mozzarella or ricotta cheese along with the shredded cheese before baking.
· Crispy Top: For an extra crispy, cheesy top, broil for the last 1-2 minutes of baking, but watch it closely so it doesn’t burn!
This dish is a guaranteed winner—minimal prep, maximum flavor, and just one pan to clean. Enjoy your delicious, comforting Italian meal