Marry Me Sausage and Gnocchi Recipe

If you re looking for a cozy, flavor-packed dinner that feels like a warm hug, you re going to love this Marry Me Sausage and Gnocchi Recipe. I absolutely love how this dish comes together so quickly yet manages to feel special enough for date night or a casual dinner with friends. The creamy tomato sauce clings to pillowy gnocchi and spicy Italian sausage, giving you a perfect comfort food combo that’s simple but impressive.

When I first tried this recipe, I was blown away by how the sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil brightened up a rich, creamy sauce without making it heavy. It s one of those meals you ll want to keep in your dinner rotation, especially for nights when you want something satisfying but fuss-free. Trust me, you ll find that the Marry Me Sausage and Gnocchi Recipe quickly becomes a family favorite-my crew goes crazy for it every time!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are such a dream combo-they balance creamy, savory, and slightly tangy flavors perfectly. A couple of tips: remove the sausage casings before cooking for easier crumbling, and opt for shelf-stable gnocchi to save fuss.

• Olive oil or sun dried tomato oil: I love using sun dried tomato oil if you have it-it adds a subtle, extra layer of tomato flavor to the sauce.
• Italian sausage links: Removing the casings lets you crumble the sausage easily and ensures even cooking.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic delivers the best aroma and intense flavor.
• Italian seasoning: This blend brings that unmistakably comforting Italian feel to the dish.
• Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning; adjust to your taste as you go.
• Red pepper flakes: Just a pinch adds a subtle heat to balance the creaminess.
• Tomato paste: Toasting it a bit brings out wonderful depth and sweetness before liquids go in.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: Chopped sun-dried tomatoes give a tangy bite that pairs beautifully with sausage.
• Chicken broth: Adds rich flavor and helps build the sauce s body without heaviness.
• Half and half: Creates that creamy sauce without weighing the dish down like heavy cream.
• Shelf-stable potato gnocchi: These little pillows cook quickly and soak up the sauce perfectly.
• Spinach: Adds freshness and pops of green-you can swap with kale or arugula if you like.
• Parmesan cheese: The finishing touch that brings umami and saltiness to the sauce.
• Basil leaves: Fresh basil chopped over the finished dish wakes up the flavors beautifully.

Variations

I love tweaking recipes to suit what I have on hand or the mood I’m in, and this Marry Me Sausage and Gnocchi Recipe is so flexible. You can easily swap ingredients to shift the flavor profile or even make it lighter or heartier.

• Spicy variation: Add extra red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño if you like it with some heat-I ve done this for game nights, and it s a hit.
• Vegetarian version: Substitute the sausage with sautéed mushrooms or a plant-based sausage option; just adjust seasoning accordingly.
• Cheesy upgrade: Try mixing in some mozzarella or fontina for extra melty comfort-I did this for a family gathering and everyone wanted the recipe.
• Greens swap: Use kale, Swiss chard, or even baby arugula if spinach isn t your favorite or what s in your fridge.

How to Make Marry Me Sausage and Gnocchi Recipe

Step 1: Brown the sausage

Start by heating your oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the sausage after you ve removed the casings, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook it until it s nicely browned, about 4-5 minutes. The key here is to get good caramelization-that s what builds that deep, meaty flavor foundation for your sauce.

Step 2: Sauté the aromatics

Once the sausage is browned, toss in the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Sauté everything for about a minute so the garlic softens but doesn t burn. You ll start to smell all those warm Italian spices coming alive-this is when you ll know your sauce is on the right track.

Step 3: Toast tomato paste and add liquids

Add the tomato paste and toast it by stirring continuously for about a minute. This step is often overlooked but it really brings out the tomato s rich, slightly sweet flavor. Then add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, and half & half. Bring everything to a gentle simmer, scraping up all those flavorful browned bits stuck to the pan-that s pure gold.

Step 4: Cook the gnocchi in the sauce

Add the gnocchi to the simmering sauce, trying to submerge as many as you can. Cover the skillet and let it cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes. Give it a gentle stir once or twice to keep things from sticking and ensure even cooking. You ll notice the gnocchi get tender and soak up those delicious flavors while the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 5: Finish with greens, cheese, and basil

Turn off the heat and stir in the fresh spinach, parmesan, and chopped basil leaves. Stir just until the spinach wilts-this only takes a minute. The parmesan melts into the creamy sauce, lending a nutty richness, while the basil adds that fresh, herbaceous lift that keeps the dish vibrant.

How to Serve Marry Me Sausage and Gnocchi Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping this dish with an extra sprinkle of parmesan and a few torn basil leaves for a fresh pop of color and flavor. Sometimes I add a drizzle of good-quality olive oil or a pinch of crushed red pepper if I want it a little spicier. It s those simple touches that make it feel extra special.

Side Dishes

This recipe holds its own but pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or roasted veggies like asparagus or broccoli. Garlic bread on the side is always a winner for mopping up the creamy sauce-I ve made this combo more times than I can count.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like to serve this in individual shallow bowls with fresh basil sprigs and tiny Parmesan shards on top. Another time, I layered it with roasted red peppers and extra mozzarella and broiled it briefly for a bubbly finish-super impressive but still easy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep really well refrigerated in an airtight container for 2-3 days. I usually press a piece of plastic wrap right on the surface of the gnocchi to prevent the sauce from forming a skin, which helps maintain that creamy texture.

Freezing

I ve frozen this dish successfully, though the gnocchi can get a little softer after thawing. For best results, freeze immediately in portioned containers and thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat gently to preserve texture.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce. Stir frequently and heat just until warmed through to keep the gnocchi tender without becoming mushy.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Marry Me Sausage and Gnocchi Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it strikes the perfect balance between comforting and fresh, easy and impressive. I love recommending it to friends who want a no-fail meal that feels like a treat any night of the week. Give it a try-I promise it ll become one of those dishes you reach for when you want to impress without a lot of hassle. Happy cooking!

Marry Me Sausage and Gnocchi Recipe

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• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 3 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

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Description

A flavorful and comforting Marry Me Sausage and Gnocchi dish featuring Italian sausage, tender potato gnocchi, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a creamy tomato-based sauce, all cooked in one skillet for an easy weeknight meal.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil or sun-dried tomato oil
• 3 Italian sausage links, casings removed
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup half and half
• 1 lb shelf stable potato gnocchi
• 2 cups spinach
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 6 basil leaves, chopped

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Instructions

1. Brown the sausage: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, crumble with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned, about 4-5 minutes.
2. Sauté the aromatics and spices: Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for one minute until fragrant.
3. Add and toast tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook while stirring continuously for one minute to enhance its flavor.
4. Add liquids and sun-dried tomatoes: Incorporate the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, and half and half. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
5. Cook the gnocchi: Add the gnocchi to the skillet, submerging as much as possible in the sauce. Cover the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring once or twice to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
6. Finish with greens and cheese: Stir in the spinach, parmesan cheese, and chopped basil. Cook just until the spinach wilts, then remove from heat and serve hot.

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Notes

• Use mild or spicy Italian sausage according to preference.
• Shelf stable gnocchi is convenient, but fresh gnocchi can also be used with slight adjustment in cooking time.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to control spiciness.
• Substitute half and half with heavy cream for a richer sauce.
• For a vegetarian option, substitute sausage with plant-based sausage and use vegetable broth.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 520 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg