Description
Silky butternut squash gnocchi with sausage delivers comfort and elegance on a single plate. Hearty Italian-inspired ingredients blend perfectly, promising a memorable dining experience you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) gnocchi
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) butternut squash, pureed
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook gnocchi until they float to the surface, approximately 2-3 minutes, then carefully drain and reserve.
- Heat a large skillet over medium flame and sauté finely chopped garlic until it releases its aromatic essence, roughly 45-60 seconds.
- Introduce crumbled sausage and velvety butternut squash puree to the skillet, blending the ingredients thoroughly and creating a rich, harmonious base.
- Stream heavy cream into the mixture and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan, stirring consistently until the sauce transforms into a luxurious, thickened consistency.
- Gently fold the cooked gnocchi into the creamy sauce, ensuring each pillow is lavishly enrobed with the savory blend.
- Season with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Transfer to warmed serving plates, crowning the dish with an additional dusting of Parmesan cheese for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Boost flavor by roasting butternut squash before pureeing to enhance natural sweetness and add depth to the sauce.
- Swap traditional pork sausage with chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter protein option that still provides rich taste.
- Create a vegetarian version by replacing sausage with crispy mushrooms or plant-based sausage crumbles to maintain texture and umami.
- Reduce sauce calories by substituting half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream without compromising creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg