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Cozy Butternut Sausage Gnocchi

Featured in: Quick and Satisfying Dinner Solutions for Busy Weeknights

This recipe brings together fluffy gnocchi, tasty Italian sausage, and velvety butternut squash in a rich, creamy sauce. Fresh sage and thyme create a perfect balance against the squash's sweetness. You’ll have it all ready in 40 minutes with one pan, making it a fantastic pick for quick family dinners or casual gatherings. From the crispy bits of sausage to the melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi, this dish delivers a satisfying mix of flavors and textures while being super simple to prepare.
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Updated on Wed, 05 Mar 2025 17:19:17 GMT
Homemade Butternut Squash Gnocchi Pin it
Homemade Butternut Squash Gnocchi | yummygusto.com

This creamy butternut squash gnocchi combines pillowy potato dumplings with a velvety sauce that's perfect for cool autumn evenings. The dish brings together Italian sausage, fresh herbs, and seasonal squash in a luxurious cream sauce that coats each gnocchi perfectly. Sweet butternut squash balances the savory sausage, while fresh sage and thyme add aromatic depth to every bite.

Essential Ingredients

  • Potato gnocchi: Choose quality gnocchi with high potato content for proper texture
  • Butternut squash: Fresh squash provides the best natural sweetness and color
  • Italian sausage: Adds rich flavor and seasoning throughout the dish
  • Heavy cream: Creates the silky sauce texture
  • Fresh herbs: Sage and thyme provide aromatic finishing notes

Cooking Method

  1. Brown the sausage pieces in a large skillet until golden
  2. Add uncooked gnocchi directly to the pan
  3. Pour in cream and stock, cover and simmer until gnocchi is tender
  4. Stir in butternut squash puree and minced garlic
  5. Finish with fresh herbs, salt and pepper
Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi Pin it
Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi | yummygusto.com

Serving Suggestions

Serve alongside crusty bread for soaking up the sauce or with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon and olive oil. The peppery greens provide a fresh contrast to the rich gnocchi.

Recipe Variations

Try pancetta or bacon instead of sausage. For a vegetarian version, use sautéed mushrooms. The sauce can be enhanced with mascarpone or white wine for added complexity.

Storage Instructions

Keep refrigerated for up to three days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of cream or broth. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain sauce consistency.

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Close-up Butternut Squash Gnocchi Recipe | yummygusto.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use frozen gnocchi for this dish?
Absolutely! Frozen gnocchi works perfectly. Just toss it in the pan without defrosting and cook it a minute or two longer.
→ What's the best way to store extra butternut squash puree?
Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days, or freeze it and use it within three months.
→ Which type of sausage pairs best with this meal?
Mild or sweet Italian sausage tastes great here, but spicy Italian sausage offers a punchy flavor if you like a bit of heat.
→ Can it be made vegetarian?
Of course! Just leave out the sausage and swap chicken broth for veggie broth. Adding mushrooms will give it extra depth.
→ When’s the gnocchi ready to serve?
Once the gnocchi floats to the surface and feels soft when poked with a fork, usually after about 4-5 minutes, it's ready.

Cozy Butternut Sausage Gnocchi

A delightful one-skillet dish featuring soft gnocchi, flavorful sausage, and butternut squash bathed in a creamy garlic and herb sauce.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes
By: Sandra

Category: Weeknight Dinners

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 12 ounces of Italian sausage (roughly 3 links, casing taken off)
02 10 ounces of potato gnocchi
03 1 cup of butternut squash purée

→ Sauce & Aromatics

04 1 cup of heavy cream
05 1/2 cup chicken broth
06 3 minced garlic cloves
07 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
08 2 tablespoons fresh thyme

→ Basics

09 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 Salt and black pepper (use as much or little as you'd like)

Instructions

Step 01

Take the sausages out of their casings, then slice them up. Heat some olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Toss the sausage slices in and cook them for around 4 minutes on one side to get them golden, then flip and brown for another 2 minutes.

Step 02

To the skillet with the sausage, add the gnocchi, chicken broth, and heavy cream (they'll cook together). Turn the heat to medium and get it to a boil while stirring. Cover the pan and let it simmer for around 5 minutes.

Step 03

Mix the butternut squash purée and minced garlic into the pan. Bring everything to a bubbly boil, then turn the heat low. Stir for another 3 minutes, enough time for the gnocchi to soften up, the garlic to smell delicious, and the sauce to thicken.

Step 04

Take the pan off the heat. Stir in half of the thyme and sage. Sprinkle salt and pepper until the flavor’s just right. Dish it up and top with the rest of the herbs before diving in.

Notes

  1. Make your squash purée ahead of time. You can store the leftovers in the fridge or freezer to use next time.
  2. Got dried thyme? Use 1/2 teaspoon of the leaves or 1/4 teaspoon of the powder instead of fresh.
  3. Taste before adding extra salt—the sausage might make the dish salty enough.

Tools You'll Need

  • A deep skillet with a lid
  • A sharp knife and a sturdy cutting board

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (from the heavy cream)
  • Gluten (in the potato gnocchi)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 674
  • Total Fat: 53 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 34 g
  • Protein: 17 g