Silky Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage Recipe — Autumn Comfort

Creamy butternut squash gnocchi upgrades ordinary weeknight dinners into culinary adventures that spark instant comfort.

Soft, pillowy potato dumplings dance with vibrant seasonal ingredients in this hearty dish.

Seasonal squash brings rich, golden warmth to traditional Italian comfort food.

The combination of tender gnocchi and savory sausage creates a harmonious flavor profile that feels both sophisticated and rustic.

Hearty yet elegant, this recipe balances robust meat with smooth, velvety vegetable notes that melt together seamlessly.

Delicate herbs and subtle spices elevate each bite, promising a dining experience that feels like a warm embrace.

This recipe will transport you to an Italian countryside kitchen with its irresistible aroma and complex layers of taste.

What Makes This Butternut Gnocchi So Comforting

• Savor Comforting Creamy Textures: This gnocchi dish delivers a luxurious, velvety sauce that wraps around soft pasta pillows, creating a decadent experience that feels like a warm culinary hug.
• Elevate Weeknight Cooking Easily: The recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal in just 15 minutes, making gourmet cooking accessible for busy home chefs who want maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• Celebrate Seasonal Autumn Flavors: Butternut squash puree and fresh herbs like sage and thyme infuse the dish with rich, earthy notes that capture the essence of fall, turning an ordinary dinner into a cozy, memorable meal.

Everything You Need for Creamy Butternut Gnocchi

Main Ingredients:

Protein and Sausage:- Sausage: Flavorful meat that adds richness and depth to the dish, best when fresh and high-quality from local butcher or specialty store.

• Chicken Broth: Provides liquid base and enhances overall savory flavor of the recipe, low-sodium options recommended for better control of salt content.

Pasta and Starch:- Gnocchi: Soft potato dumplings that create a hearty and comforting base, store-bought or homemade work well.

Vegetable and Puree:- Butternut Squash Puree: Creamy, sweet base that adds smooth texture and earthy flavor, can be homemade or store-bought.

Dairy and Cream:- Heavy Cream: Creates rich and velvety sauce, full-fat version provides best consistency.

Herbs and Seasonings:- Sage, Thyme: Fresh herbs that bring aromatic and bright notes to the dish, dried herbs can be substituted if fresh are unavailable.

• Garlic: Adds depth and pungent flavor, fresh minced garlic recommended for most intense taste.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance overall flavor profile, use freshly ground black pepper for best results.

Cooking Fat:- Olive Oil: Provides base for sautéing and adds subtle flavor, extra virgin olive oil preferred.

How to Cook Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage

Step 1: Prepare Sausage

Remove casings from sausage and slice into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Sear Sausage

• Cook for 4 minutes on first side
• Flip and cook additional 2 minutes until golden brown
• Ensure sausage is evenly browned

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

• Gnocchi
• Heavy cream
• Chicken broth

• Cover skillet
• Reduce heat
• Simmer for 5 minutes

Step 4: Enhance Flavor Profile

• Butternut squash puree
• Minced garlic

• Gnocchi is tender
• Sauce thickens

Step 5: Final Seasoning

• Half of fresh sage
• Half of fresh thyme

Season with salt and pepper to taste

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Transfer to serving dish. Top with remaining herbs for a vibrant presentation.

Tips for Rich Sauce and Perfectly Browned Sausage

• Sausage Sizzle Secrets: Brown the sausage in a single layer to develop deep, caramelized flavors that enhance the overall dish's richness.
• Gnocchi Perfection Technique: Add gnocchi directly to the sauce to absorb maximum flavor and prevent them from becoming tough or chewy.
• Cream Sauce Magic: Simmer gently to prevent the cream from separating and ensure a smooth, velvety texture that coats every ingredient.
• Herb Infusion Trick: Add half the herbs during cooking and reserve the rest for garnishing to create layers of fresh, aromatic complexity.
• Squash Puree Pro Tip: Use homemade or high-quality store-bought butternut squash puree for the most authentic and vibrant flavor profile.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat Butternut Gnocchi

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover gnocchi to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the flavors fresh and ingredients intact.
• Microwave Reheating: Warm individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating and prevent sauce separation.
• Stovetop Refresh: Gently reheat in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore the sauce's creamy consistency and prevent drying out.

Serving Ideas for This Cozy Gnocchi Dish

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Choose a robust Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, savory sausage and creamy butternut squash sauce, cutting through the dish's heaviness with its tannic structure.
• Match with Crisp Salad Starter: Prepare a light arugula salad with shaved parmesan and lemon vinaigrette to balance the gnocchi's richness and provide a fresh, peppery contrast.
• Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: Select a rustic Italian bread, toasted and rubbed with fresh garlic, to soak up the luxurious cream sauce and add textural crunch to the meal.
• Finish with Apple Cider: Offer a slightly sweet, slightly tart hard apple cider that enhances the butternut squash's natural sweetness and cuts through the dish's creamy intensity.

Gnocchi Variations You’ll Want to Bookmark

• Vegetarian Squash Sensation: Replace sausage with roasted chickpeas or crumbled plant-based sausage for a protein-packed meatless version that keeps the creamy texture and rich flavors.
• Spicy Autumn Fusion: Add red pepper flakes and diced jalapeños to create a bold, warming dish with an extra kick that complements the sweet butternut squash.
• Mediterranean Herb Embrace: Swap sage and thyme for fresh oregano and rosemary, then sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top to give the gnocchi a Mediterranean-inspired profile that brightens the entire meal.
• Nutty Alpine Remix: Incorporate toasted pine nuts and a handful of grated parmesan cheese, then finish with a drizzle of brown butter to elevate the gnocchi with a rich, nutty undertone that adds depth and complexity.

Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Velvety butternut squash gnocchi paired with spicy Italian sausage creates a comforting autumn feast. Rich seasonal ingredients dance together, delivering a hearty meal that warms souls and satisfies deep hunger with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) Italian sausage, casings removed

Main Ingredients:

• 10 ounces (280 grams) potato gnocchi
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) butternut squash puree

Sauce and Seasoning:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh sage, chopped
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Coarsely ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Liberate the sausage from its casing, transforming it into delicate, uniform slices that promise rich, savory flavor.
2. Warm olive oil in a spacious, high-sided skillet, creating a golden landscape for culinary magic.
3. Carefully introduce sausage slices, allowing them to develop a deeply caramelized exterior by cooking undisturbed for 4 minutes, then gracefully flip to ensure even browning.
4. Cascade gnocchi into the skillet, accompanied by velvety heavy cream and aromatic chicken broth, elevating the pan’s contents to a bubbling symphony.
5. Reduce the heat and cloak the skillet, letting the ingredients meld and soften for approximately 5 minutes.
6. Gently fold in the silky butternut squash puree and fragrant minced garlic, creating a luxurious sauce that promises depth and complexity.
7. Maintain a gentle simmer, allowing the gnocchi to become tender and the sauce to thicken into a luscious embrace.
8. Remove from heat and sprinkle half the sage and thyme, infusing the dish with herbaceous whispers.
9. Season with salt and pepper, calibrating the flavors to perfection.
10. Artfully garnish with the remaining herbs, transforming the dish into a visual and gustatory masterpiece ready to be savored.

Notes

• Prep shortcuts save time by removing sausage from casings before cooking for faster, even browning.
• Searing sausage first develops deep, rich flavors that infuse the entire dish with a delicious meaty base.
• Creamy sauce gets its luxurious texture from combining heavy cream and chicken broth with butternut squash puree.
• Low and slow simmering helps gnocchi become perfectly tender while allowing sauce to naturally thicken.
• Fresh herbs like sage and thyme transform the dish with bright, aromatic finishing notes that complement the rich, creamy elements.
• One-skillet method means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor concentration throughout the cooking process.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg