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Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage & Herbs

and Sage Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 12 reviews

This Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage, Thyme, and Sage is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender potato gnocchi with savory Italian sausage and a rich, velvety butternut squash cream sauce. Enhanced with fresh herbs like thyme and sage, this meal is perfect for cozy dinners and highlights autumnal flavors in a quick and satisfying skillet recipe.

Ingredients

Scale

Sausage and Gnocchi

  • 12 oz Italian sausage, casings removed (approx. 3 sausage links)
  • 10 oz potato gnocchi
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce and Flavorings

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup butternut squash puree
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
  • Salt and coarsely ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Sausage: Remove sausage from casings and slice into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.
  2. Heat the Oil: Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat in a large, high-sided skillet to create a non-stick surface and start cooking the sausage.
  3. Cook the Sausage: Add the sliced sausage to the skillet, cooking on medium heat for about 4 minutes on one side without turning to allow browning. Flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes to fully brown the sausage slices.
  4. Add Gnocchi and Liquids: Into the same skillet with the sausage, add uncooked potato gnocchi, heavy cream, and chicken broth. Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil on medium heat.
  5. Cook Gnocchi: Cover the skillet with a lid and let the gnocchi cook gently for about 5 minutes while the sauce boils, ensuring the gnocchi absorb the flavors and cook through.
  6. Add Butternut Squash and Garlic: Stir in the butternut squash puree and minced garlic, returning the sauce to a boil. Reduce heat to low-medium, stirring frequently. Cook for about 3 more minutes or until the garlic is softened, the gnocchi is tender, and the sauce has thickened to your preferred consistency.
  7. Season and Add Herbs: Remove from heat and stir in half of the fresh sage and thyme. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, using judgment to avoid over-salting depending on the saltiness of the sausage.
  8. Garnish and Serve: When plating, top the dish with the remaining fresh sage and thyme for a fresh herbal aroma and presentation enhancement.

Notes

  • Use fresh-quality butternut squash puree for the best flavor; you can roast and blend your own.
  • Adjust salt carefully since the sausage may already add significant saltiness to the dish.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, continue simmering after adding the squash puree to reduce it more.
  • For a milder garlic flavor, sauté the garlic separately before adding it to the sauce.
  • This recipe pairs well with a side salad or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
  • Leftover gnocchi may be stored refrigerated for up to 2 days, but texture is best fresh.

Nutrition

Keywords: butternut squash gnocchi, creamy gnocchi recipe, sausage gnocchi, sage and thyme gnocchi, fall recipes, Italian sausage dinner

Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/and-sage-recipe/