This Pioneer Woman Sausage and Gnocchi Recipe is a savory and quick skillet meal, which is made with Italian sausage and potato gnocchi. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in about 35 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Sausage and Gnocchi Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces bulk Italian sausage
- 1 shallot, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 3 heaping tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 cup chicken stock
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- One 9-ounce package prepared potato gnocchi (refrigerated)
- 1 cup finely shredded kale
- 1 wedge Parmesan, for grating
- 3 to 4 fresh basil leaves, torn
How To Make Pioneer Woman Sausage and Gnocchi
- Cook the sausage: Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. At the same time, bring a medium pot of water to a boil for the gnocchi. Add the sausage to the skillet and cook, breaking it into small pieces, until browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Build the sauce base: In the remaining sausage grease, add the sliced shallot, garlic, and rosemary. Cook until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute until it darkens slightly.
- Deglaze and simmer: Pour in the white wine to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the chicken stock, salt, and pepper, and bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Cook the gnocchi: Add the gnocchi to the boiling water and cook until they float to the surface, which should only take about 3 minutes.
- Combine and finish: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked gnocchi directly from the pot into the simmering sauce. Add the shredded kale and the reserved cooked sausage to the skillet. Stir everything together and allow the kale to wilt, about 1-2 minutes.
- Serve: Serve immediately, grating a generous amount of fresh Parmesan cheese over the top and garnishing with torn basil leaves.

Recipe Tips
- How do I know when gnocchi is cooked? It’s simple: the gnocchi will float to the top of the boiling water when they are ready. Remove them promptly to avoid overcooking.
- What’s the purpose of cooking the tomato paste? Frying the tomato paste for a minute before adding liquid deepens its flavor, making the sauce richer and less acidic.
- Can I use a different green? Absolutely. If you’re not a fan of kale, a few large handfuls of fresh spinach would be a great substitute. Add it at the very end, as it will wilt much faster than kale.
- How can I make the sauce creamier? For a richer, creamier sauce, stir in 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream or mascarpone cheese just before serving.
What To Serve With Sausage and Gnocchi
This dish is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with:
- Crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce
- A simple Caesar or arugula salad
- Roasted broccoli or asparagus
- A glass of the same white wine used in the sauce
How To Store Sausage and Gnocchi
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be aware that the gnocchi may soften upon reheating.
- Freeze: Freezing is not recommended for this dish, as the texture of both the gnocchi and the kale can become undesirable once thawed and reheated.
Sausage and Gnocchi Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 680 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 38g
- Sodium: 1400mg
- Fiber: 5g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of sausage?
Yes, this recipe is very flexible. You can use sweet Italian sausage, spicy Italian sausage for a kick, or even chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter alternative.
Can I make this recipe without white wine?
Of course. If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute it with an equal amount of additional chicken stock. To replace the acidity, a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end works well.
What if I can only find shelf-stable gnocchi?
Shelf-stable gnocchi from the pasta aisle works perfectly fine. The cooking instructions are the same: just boil until they float to the surface.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Mini Sausage Rolls Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Sausage Strata Recipe
Pioneer Woman Sausage and Gnocchi Recipe
Description
A hearty and quick one-skillet dinner with pillowy gnocchi, savory Italian sausage, and kale in a rich tomato-wine sauce.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat oil and brown the sausage; remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté the shallot, garlic, and rosemary until soft.
- Stir in tomato paste, cook for one minute, then deglaze with wine.
- Add chicken stock and simmer to create the sauce.
- Meanwhile, boil gnocchi in a separate pot until they float; transfer to the sauce.
- Stir the cooked sausage and kale into the skillet until the kale wilts.
- Serve immediately with grated Parmesan and fresh basil.
Notes
- u003cliu003eThe gnocchi are done as soon as they float; don’t overcook them or they can become gummy.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eScraping the bottom of the pan when you add the wine (deglazing) is key to getting all the flavorful bits into your sauce.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eYou can easily substitute fresh spinach for the kale; just add it at the very end as it wilts in seconds.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eUse a good quality Parmesan cheese and grate it fresh for the best flavor.u003c/liu003e
