I make this on weeknights when the air feels cool and dinner needs to hug the bowl. Pillowy gnocchi meet sweet butternut and a rich sauce with sausage. It tastes like a cozy bistro meal, only faster, and the sink stays calm. On Elena Cooks, we keep comfort simple and friendly. Gnocchi Recipes shine when the sauce clings and every bite has contrast. Here the squash brings soft sweetness, the sausage adds savory heat, and cream smooths the edges. This fits right next to Butternut Pumpkin Recipes, Sausage Recipes, Creamy Pasta Recipes, Italian Food Recipes, and Homemade Gnocchi dreams. I like a handful of spinach for color and a little garlic for warmth. We finish with parmesan that melts on contact. If you want Comfort Food Recipes that feel balanced, this bowl does the job without fuss.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi With Sausage Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi With Sausage
- 4) How to Make Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi With Sausage
- 5) Tips for Making Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi With Sausage
- 6) Making Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi With Sausage Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi With Sausage
- 8) Try these main course dishes next
- 9) Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi With Sausage
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
- Soft gnocchi meet sweet squash and savory sausage for a fast skillet dinner that feels cozy and balanced.
- Cream builds a smooth sauce that clings to each bite while parmesan adds a nutty finish.
- Spinach folds in at the end for color and a gentle green note without turning the dish heavy.
- This meal fits weeknights and welcomes guests since prep stays simple and cleanup stays light.
2) Easy Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi With Sausage Recipe
I make this on a cool evening when the house feels quiet and hunger asks for comfort. Gnocchi Recipes give me a plan and a short path to the table. Gnocchi Recipes also give me room to play with what I have. The skillet warms. The squash softens. The sauce turns silky. I taste and smile. The food carries a gentle sweetness from the butternut and a savory kick from the sausage. Friends ask for seconds and the pan looks clean before I can sit down.
I cook with calm hands and a clear list. I brown the sausage until it smells toasty. I soften the onion until it turns sweet. I add garlic for warmth and a small pinch of red pepper for sparks. I pour in broth and add the squash. The pieces turn tender and the kitchen fills with a cozy scent that reminds me of early fall dinners when I craved simple bowls that did not ask for fuss.
Cream slips in and smooths the edges. Parmesan lands and melts on contact. The sauce clings and does not weigh the palate. Spinach folds in and keeps a lively color. The gnocchi boil and float. I drain and toss them right into the skillet. Each dumpling wears a glossy coat that invites the next bite. The site Elena Cooks and I Elena both stick with plain language and kind food. If you like Italian comfort that cooks fast and tastes rich, this bowl fits. I keep a spoon in the pan for quick tastes and small bites during cleanup.
3) Ingredients for Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi With Sausage
Butternut squash small cubes cook fast and bring gentle sweetness that plays well with sausage and cream
Italian sausage use sweet or spicy and crumble it well so the browned bits spread flavor through the sauce
Potato gnocchi fresh or homemade give a soft bite and a plush texture that holds sauce
Onion fine chop turns soft and sweet and builds the base of the skillet
Garlic quick cook for one minute to add warm aroma without sharp edges
Chicken broth a small pour steams the squash and adds savory depth without making the sauce thin
Heavy cream adds body and a smooth mouthfeel that carries the cheese
Parmesan fresh grated melts fast and brings nutty balance to the sweet squash
Baby spinach wilts right at the end and brings color and light freshness
Olive oil helps brown the sausage and gives a clean finish to the sauce
Red pepper flakes a small pinch adds a soft heat that wakes up the creamy base
Salt and black pepper season in layers so the dish tastes bright and balanced
4) How to Make Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi With Sausage
Step 1 Warm a wide skillet over medium heat then add olive oil and crumble in the sausage and cook until browned with small crisp edges
Step 2 Stir in the onion and cook until soft and sweet then add garlic and a pinch of red pepper and cook one minute
Step 3 Add the squash and broth and let the pan simmer with a lively bubble until the cubes turn tender and the liquid reduces
Step 4 Pour in the cream and simmer until the sauce coats a spoon then stir in parmesan until smooth and glossy
Step 5 Boil gnocchi in salted water until they float then drain and slide them into the skillet and toss until every piece shines
Step 6 Fold in spinach and let it wilt with the heat of the sauce then taste and season with salt and black pepper and serve right away
5) Tips for Making Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi With Sausage
Cut the squash in small even pieces so it softens at the same pace and blends into the sauce without breaking the gnocchi. Dry the gnocchi well after boiling so the sauce clings. Keep heat at a gentle simmer so dairy stays smooth. I learned this on a busy night when I rushed the boil and the sauce felt grainy. Slow and steady wins here.
Season in layers. Salt the pasta water. Taste the sausage as it browns. Add a small pinch of salt when the squash cooks. Finish with parmesan and a few turns of black pepper for lift. This rhythm keeps each spoonful lively. One more note for Gnocchi Recipes fans. Save a splash of the cooking water to loosen the sauce if it tightens.
Use a wide skillet. Space helps the squash caramelize in spots and prevents steaming. Stir with a gentle hand to protect the soft dumplings. For a different twist try a squeeze of lemon at the end for brightness. For a meat free version skip the sausage and add mushrooms. The sauce still feels rich and the bowl still satisfies a strong appetite.
6) Making Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi With Sausage Ahead of Time
I often prep parts in the morning. I cube the squash and store it in a sealed container. I grate the parmesan and keep it ready. I chop the onion and rinse the spinach. When dinner time comes the skillet moves fast. This plan helps on weeknights when work runs late and the table still needs a warm dish.
Cook the sauce base in advance and stop before adding cream and spinach. Cool and chill. Reheat over medium heat and add cream then the cheese and greens. Boil fresh gnocchi right before serving so the texture stays plush. This step keeps the dumplings from soaking up the sauce in the fridge.
For meal prep portion the sauce in small containers. Pack cooked gnocchi in a separate box. Reheat the sauce until it simmers. Stir in the gnocchi and a spoon of cooking water for silkiness. This method keeps the bite springy. It also helps anyone at home serve themselves without waiting for a full batch to warm.
7) Storing Leftover Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi With Sausage
Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to two days. The sauce thickens as it cools. Add a splash of water or broth during reheating to bring back the soft gloss. Warm over gentle heat and stir often so the dairy stays smooth. The flavor grows a little deeper on day two which I like for lunch.
Freezing does not suit this dish. The cream may separate and the gnocchi can turn soft. A short chill in the fridge works best. If you need longer storage cook the components and hold the gnocchi and sauce apart. Combine right before serving. This plan keeps texture intact and the sauce bright.
Label the container with the date and keep it near the front of the shelf so you do not forget it. Pair leftovers with a crisp salad or roasted broccoli for a full plate. Gnocchi dishes shine when the sides stay simple and fresh. The balance makes the bowl feel lighter and keeps the meal easy.
8) Try these main course dishes next
9) Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi With Sausage
Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi With Sausage Gnocchi Recipes
Ingredients
For The Sauce
- 2 cups peeled diced butternut squash
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 250 grams Italian sausage casings removed
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper optional
- 0.75 cup chicken broth
- 0.75 cup heavy cream
- 60 grams grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For The Gnocchi
- 500 grams potato gnocchi shelf fresh or homemade
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for finishing
Instructions
Cook The Squash And Sausage
- Warm a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil.
- Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces.
- Stir in onion and cook until tender.
- Add garlic thyme and crushed red pepper and cook one minute.
Build The Sauce
- Add diced butternut squash and broth and bring to a lively simmer.
- Cover and cook until the squash is soft and the liquid reduces slightly about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Pour in cream and simmer until thick enough to coat a spoon.
- Stir in parmesan until smooth.
- Fold in spinach until it wilts.
- Taste and add salt and black pepper.
Cook Gnocchi And Finish
- Boil gnocchi in salted water until they float, then drain.
- Add gnocchi to the skillet and toss so the sauce coats every piece.
- Drizzle a little olive oil for shine and serve hot with extra parmesan.
10) Nutrition
One serving brings an estimate of calories in the mid five hundreds with a mix of carbs fat and protein that fits a hearty dinner. Squash adds fiber and vitamin A. Spinach brings iron and a gentle green boost. Parmesan contributes calcium and savory richness. If you prefer a lighter bowl use half cream and top with extra spinach and herbs. The dish still tastes full and comforting.
This recipe comes from Elena on Elena Cooks at https www dot elenacooks dot com where we share warm bowls simple bakes and useful kitchen notes. For readers seeking gnocchi ideas as well as gnocchi dishes and potato dumpling recipes this page will feel like home. Short keywords used include butternut gnocchi sausage pasta creamy sauce. Longtail keywords used include how to make gnocchi at home easy skillet gnocchi with sausage best creamy butternut gnocchi.
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