This creamy sausage and tomato gnocchi is one of those recipes that feels fancy but is actually super easy to throw together. It’s warm, cheesy, a little tangy, and packed with flavor. I tried it on a rainy night, and honestly? It hit every comfort food button. The gnocchi gets golden and crispy, the sausage brings the savory punch, and the cream cheese makes it all dreamy. If you’re looking for a quick, hearty dish that tastes unreal (like WOW), you’ve got to try this one.
Method
1.Cook the Sausages and Onion
First, take the sausages out of their casings and break the meat into rough bite-sized chunks. This helps them cook evenly and gives that nice rustic feel to the dish. Spray a large non-stick skillet with a little Frylight (or your favorite low-cal spray), then toss in the sausage chunks and chopped onion. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the sausage is browned and cooked through, and the onions are soft and golden. This should take about 7–8 minutes. Once everything looks cooked and smells amazing, use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the sausage and onion mixture from the pan and set it aside in a bowl.
2.Pan-Fry the Gnocchi
Without cleaning the pan (because all that flavor is gold), add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and let it heat up. Add the gnocchi in a single layer and let it fry undisturbed for a couple of minutes to get a crispy, golden crust on one side. Then stir or flip the gnocchi to crisp the other sides. This part takes about 5 minutes total. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan if needed, do it in batches. You want the gnocchi to turn golden and lightly crisped, not mushy.
3.Add the Tomatoes
Once the gnocchi is looking golden and slightly crispy, toss in the halved cherry tomatoes and drained sundried tomatoes. Stir them gently into the gnocchi and let them cook for 2–3 minutes. The cherry tomatoes will start to soften and release their juices, while the sundried tomatoes add a little chewy richness and punchy flavor.
4.Make it Creamy
Now it’s time to build the creamy tomato sauce. Reduce the heat slightly and stir in the tomato purée, passata, and mixed herbs. Add salt and pepper to taste. Then spoon in the cream cheese and let it slowly melt into the tomato mixture. Stir everything together until the sauce becomes smooth, rich, and evenly coats the gnocchi. At this point, bring back the cooked sausage and onion mixture and stir it into the pan so all the flavors come together.
5.Finishing Touches
To finish the dish, toss in a generous handful of fresh spinach and add a splash or two of water just enough to loosen the sauce if it’s feeling a bit thick. Stir gently until the spinach wilts and blends into the sauce. This only takes about 1–2 minutes. You’ll end up with a silky, cheesy tomato sauce wrapped around crispy gnocchi and hearty sausage. It’s ready when everything looks glossy, green, and totally irresistible.
6.Serve and Enjoy
Scoop generous spoonfuls into bowls and serve while hot. If you like a little extra heat or sharpness, sprinkle over some chili flakes or a bit of grated parmesan. Then dig in and enjoy your creamy sausage and tomato gnocchi masterpiece. You earned it!
Necessary Tools
- A large non-stick skillet or frying pan
- A cutting board and knife
- A spatula or wooden spoon
- Measuring spoons
- Tongs or a slotted spoon
- A small bowl (for the sausages once cooked)
Creamy Sausage and Tomato Gnocchi
Cuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy3
servings10
minutes20
minutes30
minutesIngredients
1 onion, chopped
6 sausages (I used Lidl’s 3% fat, 400g total)
500g gnocchi
75g sundried tomatoes (drained)
10 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tbsp tomato purée
1 tbsp passata
1 tbsp mixed herbs
Salt and pepper, to taste
90g lightest cream cheese
A handful of spinach
A splash of water
Frylight or other cooking spray
1 tbsp olive oil
Directions
- Cook the Sausages and Onion
Start by removing the sausage skins and breaking the meat into chunks. Spray your pan with a little Frylight and cook the sausages with chopped onion until browned and fully cooked. Take the sausage out and set it aside. - Pan-Fry the Gnocchi
Add 1 tbsp of olive oil to the same pan and toss in the gnocchi. Fry it for about 5 minutes until it’s golden on the outside crispy gnocchi is a game-changer. - Add the Tomatoes
Throw in the cherry tomatoes and sundried tomatoes. Let them soften and release their juices for a few minutes. - Make it Creamy
Stir in the tomato purée, passata, mixed herbs, cream cheese, salt, and pepper. Add the cooked sausage back in and mix everything together. - Finishing Touches
Add the spinach and a splash of water to loosen up the sauce. Stir gently until the spinach wilts and everything is creamy and dreamy. - Serve and Enjoy
Spoon into bowls, maybe sprinkle some chili flakes or parmesan on top if you’re feeling fancy, and dig in!
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying gnocchi give them room to crisp.
- Watch the heat when adding the cream cheese. Keep it low so it melts slowly into a smooth sauce.
- Drain your sundried tomatoes well or the oil might mess with the creamy sauce texture.
- Don’t over-stir once the spinach goes in. You want it just wilted, not mushy.
- If your gnocchi sticks, make sure the oil is hot enough before adding it.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a side salad (something fresh like arugula or rocket).
- Crusty garlic bread on the side = chef’s kiss.
- A sprinkle of grated parmesan or crushed red pepper flakes for extra yum.
- For a lighter meal, serve with roasted veggies like zucchini or peppers.
Fun Fact
Did you know gnocchi isn’t pasta? It’s actually a potato dumpling! That’s why it gets crispy on the outside but stays soft and pillowy inside. Gnocchi is originally Italian and comes from the word “nocchio,” meaning a knot in wood. Wild, right?
Conclusion
If I had to pick one dinner to eat every week and not get bored, this creamy sausage and tomato gnocchi might just be it. It’s quick, comforting, and packed with flavor from just a few ingredients. It makes a great weeknight meal or even a little “treat yourself” dish when you want something cozy without a fuss. Trust me once you make it, you’ll be dreaming about it. Go get those ingredients and make your kitchen smell amazing.
