One Pan Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Chicken Sausage is the kind of cozy dinner that delivers big flavor without leaving you with a sink full of dishes. Tender gnocchi, golden chicken sausage, fresh spinach, and Parmesan come together in a rich tomato cream sauce for an easy weeknight meal that feels extra comforting.
Everything cooks in one skillet, so the gnocchi can soak up the savory sauce while it becomes wonderfully creamy. Serve it straight from the pan with warm garlic bread or a simple green salad for a satisfying family dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This creamy gnocchi is packed with comforting Italian-inspired flavors while staying surprisingly simple. Browning the chicken sausage first adds plenty of savory flavor, while tomato paste, garlic, Parmesan, and basil create a sauce that tastes like it has been simmering much longer than it actually has.
It is also a practical family-friendly dinner. The entire meal comes together in one pan, requires minimal prep, and can easily be adapted with cauliflower gnocchi, coconut milk, peas, or extra vegetables.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 4–5 halal chicken sausages, sliced
- 1 shallot, diced
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, plus more as needed
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
- 1 pound gnocchi or cauliflower gnocchi
- 3 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1–2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook for 3–5 minutes per side, or until nicely browned. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Add the shallot, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the shallot is tender and fragrant.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning and tomato paste. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the tomato paste becomes slightly darker and aromatic.
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring to loosen any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add the heavy cream and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Stir in the gnocchi and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is tender and the sauce begins to thicken.
- Return the chicken sausage to the skillet and add the spinach. Cook for another 1–2 minutes, until the spinach wilts and the sausage is heated through.
- Stir in the Parmesan until melted. For an extra-saucy One Pan Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Chicken Sausage, add a splash of chicken broth until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.
- Remove from the heat and finish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan. Serve warm.
Tips & Tricks
Brown the sausage rather than simply warming it. Those golden edges add extra savory flavor to the finished sauce.
After adding the tomato paste, give it a full minute to cook before pouring in the liquids. This deepens its flavor and removes some of its raw acidity.
Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer once you add the gnocchi. High heat can reduce the sauce too quickly before the gnocchi becomes tender.
For an even richer creamy tomato gnocchi, add a little extra Parmesan at the end. If the sauce becomes too thick, loosen it with chicken broth a few tablespoons at a time.
Cauliflower gnocchi can be used for a variation, although its texture and cooking time may differ depending on the brand.
For a dairy-free version, choose full-fat coconut milk and a suitable dairy-free Parmesan alternative.
Details
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4–5 servings
Category: Dinner, Main Course
Method: Stovetop, One Pan
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly when prepared with halal-certified chicken sausage, chicken broth, Parmesan, and other packaged ingredients
Notes
For a slightly lighter sauce, replace part of the heavy cream with additional chicken broth.
Frozen peas are an easy substitute for spinach. Use approximately 1 cup of thawed peas and stir them into the skillet near the end of cooking.
This easy one pan gnocchi is delicious with garlic bread, toasted crusty bread, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad.
Because Parmesan and chicken broth can already contain significant salt, taste the finished sauce before adding additional seasoning.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per serving, based on 5 servings:
Calories: 550–650 kcal
Protein: 22–28 g
Carbohydrates: 50–60 g
Fat: 28–35 g
Nutrition will vary depending on the sausage, gnocchi, cream, Parmesan, and serving size used.
FAQ
Can I cook gnocchi directly in the tomato cream sauce?
Yes. There is no need to boil shelf-stable gnocchi separately for this recipe. Cooking it directly in the skillet allows it to absorb flavor while its starch helps thicken the creamy tomato sauce.
Can I make creamy tomato gnocchi without heavy cream?
Yes. Full-fat coconut milk is an easy alternative. You can also experiment with a lighter cooking cream, although the final consistency may be less rich.
What chicken sausage works best with gnocchi?
Italian-style chicken sausage pairs especially well with tomato, garlic, Parmesan, and basil. A spicy variety is also excellent if you prefer a little heat. Choose halal-certified sausage when preparing the recipe as halal-friendly.
Can I add more vegetables?
Absolutely. Mushrooms, peas, kale, zucchini, or roasted red peppers can complement this chicken sausage gnocchi. Keep additional vegetables moderate so the skillet does not become overcrowded.
Why is my gnocchi sauce too thick?
The gnocchi continues absorbing liquid as it cooks and rests. Stir in a splash of warm chicken broth until the sauce becomes creamy again.
What should I serve with creamy chicken sausage gnocchi?
Garlic bread is ideal for soaking up the tomato cream sauce. A simple salad, steamed green beans, broccoli, or roasted vegetables also make excellent sides.
Storage
Store leftover One Pan Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Chicken Sausage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce will naturally thicken as it chills.
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce. Individual portions can also be reheated in the microwave.
Freezing is possible, but it is not the preferred storage method because cream sauces and gnocchi can change texture after thawing. For the best creamy consistency, enjoy this dish fresh or refrigerated.
Similar Recipes
One Pan Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Chicken Sausage
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- 4 –5 halal chicken sausages sliced
- 1 shallot diced
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt divided
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth plus more as needed
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
- 1 pound gnocchi or cauliflower gnocchi
- 3 cups fresh spinach chopped
- 1 –2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves thinly sliced
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook for 3–5 minutes per side, or until nicely browned. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Add the shallot, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the shallot is tender and fragrant.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning and tomato paste. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the tomato paste becomes slightly darker and aromatic.
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring to loosen any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add the heavy cream and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Stir in the gnocchi and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is tender and the sauce begins to thicken.
- Return the chicken sausage to the skillet and add the spinach. Cook for another 1–2 minutes, until the spinach wilts and the sausage is heated through.
- Stir in the Parmesan until melted. For an extra-saucy One Pan Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Chicken Sausage, add a splash of chicken broth until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.
- Remove from the heat and finish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan. Serve warm.
Notes
Conclusion
This One Pan Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Chicken Sausage turns simple ingredients into a rich and comforting dinner in about 30 minutes. The combination of pillowy gnocchi, savory chicken sausage, spinach, Parmesan, basil, and creamy tomato sauce makes every bite satisfying.
With only one skillet to clean and plenty of easy substitutions available, it is a great recipe to keep in your weeknight dinner rotation.