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Creamy pumpkin gnocchi with spinach and Italian sausage cooking in a skillet on the stove.

Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi with Spinach & Italian Sausage

A cozy fall-inspired pasta dish with pillowy gnocchi, savory Italian sausage, creamy pumpkin sauce, and fresh spinach. Comfort food at its best!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 bowls
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 610
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Base
  • 1 lb potato gnocchi store-bought or homemade
  • 1 lb Italian sausage mild or spicy, casings removed
  • 3 cups fresh spinach
Pumpkin Cream Sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • 1 tsp dried sage or fresh, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg freshly grated if possible
  • 1/2 tsp salt to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Pot

Method
 

  1. Cook gnocchi according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, cook Italian sausage over medium heat until browned, breaking it into crumbles. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, heat olive oil and sauté garlic until fragrant. Stir in pumpkin purée, heavy cream, Parmesan, sage, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Add gnocchi, cooked sausage, and spinach to the skillet. Toss until spinach wilts and everything is coated in sauce.
  5. Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

For a vegetarian option, skip the sausage or substitute with mushrooms. You can also use half-and-half instead of cream for a lighter version.