Description
A cozy, family-friendly, autumn inspired one pot dinner made with Italian sausage, tender butternut squash, pillowy gnocchi, and a creamy tomato-squash sauce. Everything cooks together in one pot and bakes to golden, cheesy perfection!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb potato gnocchi*
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage*
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 ounces butternut squash (fresh or frozen, about 3 cups)
- 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup butternut squash puree*
- 1 cup kale or spinach (fresh or frozen), diced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup skim milk
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, minced
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- Coarse salt, fresh ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a dutch oven or large oven-safe pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the onion and cook 3 to 4 minutes, until softened.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add diced butternut squash and kale or spinach. Cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, butternut squash puree, chicken broth, milk, and sage. Bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer.
- Stir in gnocchi and continue to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
- Add in half of the mozzarella and parmesan. Stir until completely combined. Sprinkle the top with remaining cheeses.
- Do a quick taste test! Add salt and pepper as desired.
- Place on a middle rack in the preheated oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until cheese is golden and sauce is bubbling.
- Remove from heat. Garnish with extra sage or parmesan. Enjoy!
Notes
Use shelf-stable potato gnocchi for best results. Frozen gnocchi tends to soften too much in the sauce!
Spicy or mild Italian sausage both work great. Use whichever you prefer!
No butternut squash purée? Swap in pumpkin or sweet potato purée for similar autumn flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One Pot
- Cuisine: Italian-American