Ingredients
1 lb (16 oz) potato or pumpkin gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
1 tbsp olive oil
½ lb (8 oz) Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
2 cups baby spinach
½ cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Fresh sage or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add gnocchi and cook until they float to the surface, about 2–3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the sausage: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking into crumbles, until browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes.
- Sauté garlic and spices: Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add spinach: Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 1–2 minutes.
- Make pumpkin cream sauce: Lower heat to medium-low, stir in pumpkin puree and heavy cream. Simmer 2–3 minutes until smooth and heated through.
- Add cheese and season: Stir in Parmesan until melted and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine with gnocchi: Add cooked gnocchi to the skillet, tossing to coat in the pumpkin sauce.
- Serve: Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan and garnished with fresh sage or parsley if desired.
Notes
Use mild or spicy sausage depending on your flavor preference.
For a vegetarian version, skip the sausage and use sautéed mushrooms or chickpeas.
Substitute coconut cream and nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
Homemade gnocchi adds an extra rustic touch but store-bought works great too.
Serve with garlic bread or salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Lactose
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
