Cozy Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage Recipe

Creamy butternut squash gnocchi upgrades ordinary comfort food into a luxurious autumn experience.

Soft, pillowy pasta carries the rich sweetness of roasted squash through each delectable bite.

Hearty sausage adds savory depth and complexity to this rustic dish.

Fragrant herbs like thyme and sage weave an aromatic narrative across your plate.

Italian-inspired comfort meets seasonal produce in this soul-warming recipe that feels simultaneously elegant and approachable.

Textural contrasts between tender gnocchi and crisp sausage create a delightful sensory journey.

This recipe promises a harmonious blend of flavors that celebrates cool-weather cuisine with sophisticated simplicity.

Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage, Thyme, and Sage for Cozy Nights

• Savor Creamy Comfort: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious, velvety dish that hugs your taste buds with rich, warm flavors perfect for cozy evenings.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Winner: Minimal prep work and just one skillet make this gnocchi recipe a game-changer for busy home cooks seeking delicious meals without complicated techniques.
• Seasonal Flavor Explosion: Butternut squash puree and fresh herbs like sage and thyme create a harmonious autumn-inspired blend that elevates traditional pasta with sophisticated, hearty undertones.
• Protein-Packed Pleasure: Sausage adds robust, meaty depth to the creamy sauce, making this dish a satisfying complete meal that balances indulgence with nutritional value.

Gather Ingredients for This Butternut Squash Gnocchi Creation

• Italian Sausage: Adds rich, savory flavor and protein to the dish, choose a high-quality brand with good spice blend.

• Potato Gnocchi: Soft, pillowy potato dumplings that provide a hearty foundation for the sauce, store-bought works perfectly for convenience.

• Heavy Cream, Chicken Broth: Create a luxurious, silky sauce base with depth of flavor and smooth consistency.
• Butternut Squash Puree: Provides natural sweetness and creamy texture, a great seasonal vegetable with rich orange color.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and classic savory undertones to the sauce.

• Fresh Sage, Fresh Thyme: Classic herbs that complement the squash and sausage with earthy, woodsy notes.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance all the flavors in the dish.

• Olive Oil: Helps with sautéing and adding a subtle fruity base note to the overall recipe.

How to Simmer and Serve This Creamy Gnocchi with Herbed Sausage

Step 1: Prepare Sausage Slices

• Remove casings from sausage
• Slice sausage into bite-sized pieces
• Set aside on a clean cutting board

Step 2: Sizzle Sausage Perfection

• Place large skillet over medium heat
• Add olive oil
• Carefully drop sausage slices into hot pan
• Cook until golden brown (about 4 minutes)
• Flip slices and cook additional 2 minutes
• Ensure even browning on all sides

Step 3: Create Creamy Gnocchi Base

• Gnocchi
• Heavy cream
• Chicken broth

Bring mixture to gentle boil

Cover and reduce heat

Simmer for 5 minutes

Stir occasionally

Allow gnocchi to become tender

Step 4: Enhance Flavor Profile

• Butternut squash puree
• Minced garlic

Return to boiling

Reduce heat

Simmer 3 minutes

Stir until sauce thickens

Step 5: Final Seasoning Touch

• Chopped sage
• Chopped thyme

Season with salt and pepper

Taste and adjust seasoning

Sprinkle remaining herbs on top

Step 6: Elegant Serving

• Transfer gnocchi to serving plates
• Garnish with fresh herb sprigs
• Serve immediately while hot
• Enjoy comforting, aromatic dish

Tips for Creamy Sauce, Golden Gnocchi, and Flavorful Sausage

• Prep Sausage Smartly: Remove casings completely to ensure even cooking and better flavor distribution throughout the dish.
• Control Skillet Temperature: Maintain medium heat to brown sausage perfectly without burning, creating a rich caramelized exterior.
• Gnocchi Cooking Trick: Don't overcook gnocchi; watch for them to float and become tender to prevent a mushy texture.
• Cream Sauce Balance: Stir frequently while simmering to prevent sauce from separating and achieve a smooth, silky consistency.
• Herb Freshness Hack: Add half the herbs during cooking and reserve the rest for garnishing to maximize aromatic impact and visual appeal.

Best Storage Practices for Butternut Gnocchi Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled gnocchi to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.
• Reheat Stovetop: Warm the gnocchi in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore moisture. Stir gently until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
• Microwave Option: Place gnocchi in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming.

Pairings That Complement This Comfort-Focused Gnocchi Dish

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: A full-bodied Chianti or Sangiovese complements the rich, savory sausage and creamy butternut squash sauce perfectly, cutting through the richness while enhancing the dish's herbal notes.
• Crisp Autumn Salad Companion: Create a light arugula salad with toasted walnuts, shaved parmesan, and a lemon vinaigrette to balance the creamy gnocchi and provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty main course.
• Rustic Bread Sidekick: Serve with a crusty sourdough or rosemary focaccia to soak up the luxurious sauce, adding texture and an extra layer of herbal flavor that echoes the thyme and sage in the dish.
• Craft Beer Match: Choose a malty amber ale or a pumpkin beer to mirror the autumn flavors, with enough carbonation to cut through the dish's richness and complement its warm, comforting profile.

Ingredient Swaps for a New Spin on This Savory Pasta Bowl

• Vegetarian Veggie Delight: Swap sausage with roasted mushrooms or plant-based sausage crumbles for a meat-free version that maintains rich, savory flavors.
• Spicy Southwestern Style: Add diced green chiles, swap thyme for cilantro, and include a dash of cumin to transform the dish with southwestern-inspired seasonings.
• Lighter Cream Alternative: Replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk to create a lighter, health-conscious rendition that still delivers creamy texture.
• Alpine Herb Remix: Incorporate roasted pine nuts, swap sage for rosemary, and sprinkle parmesan cheese to give the gnocchi a classic mountain-inspired flavor profile.

Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage, Thyme, and Sage Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 24 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Silky butternut squash gnocchi dances with Italian sausage, creating a rustic autumn melody of herbs and comfort. Warm thyme and sage elevate this hearty dish, inviting you to savor each perfectly balanced bite of seasonal goodness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Mains:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) Italian sausage, casings removed
• 10 ounces (280 grams) potato gnocchi
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) butternut squash puree

Dairy and Liquids:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh sage, chopped
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh thyme
• Salt to taste
• Coarsely ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Extract the sausage from its casing and slice into bite-sized pieces to promote even cooking and seamless flavor distribution throughout the dish.
2. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat, carefully placing sausage slices to achieve a golden-brown caramelization. Rotate pieces to ensure uniform browning, developing rich, deep flavors.
3. Introduce gnocchi directly into the skillet with sausage, pouring in heavy cream and chicken broth. Elevate temperature to create a gentle boil, then reduce heat and cover, allowing gnocchi to become pillowy and absorb surrounding flavors.
4. Fold in velvety butternut squash puree and finely minced garlic, stirring gently to integrate ingredients. Maintain a low simmer, encouraging sauce to thicken and develop a luxurious, creamy consistency.
5. Sprinkle half the chopped sage and thyme into the skillet, infusing the dish with aromatic herbaceous notes. Season judiciously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting to balance the inherent saltiness of the sausage.
6. Transfer the gnocchi to serving plates, garnishing with remaining fresh herbs. The final touch of vibrant green herbs provides a visual and flavor contrast to the rich, creamy sauce.

Notes

• Flip the story of preparation backwards, starting from the final garnish to the initial ingredient selection.
• Dive into a culinary journey where each step reveals a layer of flavor complexity, transforming ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.
• Uncover the secret to creating a harmonious blend of rustic sausage, tender gnocchi, and silky butternut squash sauce that will transport your taste buds to a cozy Italian kitchen.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 14 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg