Description
This Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender gnocchi, rich Italian sausage, and a luscious butternut squash cream sauce. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it balances sweetness from the squash with savory sausage and a hint of garlic and Parmesan.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash (about 2–3 lbs)
- 1 lb potato gnocchi
- 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh sage leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Butternut Squash: Peel the butternut squash, remove the seeds, and cut it into small cubes, about 1-inch pieces for even cooking.
- Cook the Squash: In a medium saucepan, add the butternut squash cubes and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until the squash is tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Add the cooked butternut squash and heavy cream to the skillet. Use a hand blender to carefully puree the squash and cream into a smooth, creamy sauce. If you don’t have a hand blender, you can transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth, then return to the pan. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat gently to warm through.
- Cook the Gnocchi: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook according to package instructions, usually 2-3 minutes or until they float to the surface. Drain the gnocchi well.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked gnocchi and sausage back into the skillet with the creamy butternut squash sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly and warm through for 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve the gnocchi topped with fresh sage leaves for an aromatic garnish and an extra burst of flavor. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- You can substitute Italian sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner version.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and add sautéed mushrooms or spinach.
- If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a splash of pasta water or broth when blending the sauce.
- Fresh sage can be replaced with thyme or rosemary, depending on your taste preferences.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
