Creamy Gnocchi Sausage Kale (Printable)

Pillowy gnocchi cooked with savory sausage and tender kale in a luscious creamy sauce.

# What You Need:

→ Gnocchi

01 - 1 lb potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)

→ Meats

02 - 10 oz Italian sausage, casings removed

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 cups kale, chopped, stems removed
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauces & Dairy

06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
09 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Seasonings

10 - 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
11 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
12 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Garnish

13 - Extra grated Parmesan, for serving

# How-To:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the gnocchi according to package instructions until they float to the surface. Drain and set aside.
02 - While the gnocchi cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove excess fat if needed.
03 - Add the butter, chopped onion, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 3 minutes.
04 - Stir in the chopped kale and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
05 - Pour in the heavy cream, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy.
06 - Add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet, tossing gently to coat in the sauce. Season with salt, black pepper, and (if desired) red pepper flakes. Heat through for 1–2 minutes. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • The pillowy gnocchi soaks up that luscious cream sauce like little flavor sponges
02 -
  • Don't overcook the gnocchi in the water or they'll turn gummy when you toss them in the sauce
  • Let the cream sauce simmer for those full 2 minutes or it won't thicken properly
03 -
  • Use hot Italian sausage if you want more heat without adding extra spices
  • Leftovers reheat surprisingly well, though the sauce does thicken up in the fridge

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