Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage

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A stainless skillet filled with pillowy gnocchi and sliced sausage coated in glossy butternut squash sauce, showcasing Gnocchi Recipes and Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage as cozy Fall Comfort Food for an easy Fall Dinner.
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This Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage is pure comfort in a skillet, blending pillowy gnocchi and savory sausage in a creamy, dreamy butternut squash sauce. It’s one of our family’s favorite fall dinner recipes, perfect for a cozy evening in.

Dad always knew when the first real chill of autumn arrived. He’d come inside and declare it a “gnocchi night.” The comforting aroma of this sausage and squash dish simmering on the stove became the official, cherished scent of the season for us.

Why This Dish Feels Like a Hug in a Bowl

  • A Perfect Fall Dish: This recipe is the epitome of fall comfort food, combining seasonal butternut squash with hearty sausage.
  • Quick and Easy: From start to finish, this delicious meal comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
  • One-Pan Wonder: Most of the cooking is done in a single skillet, which means easier cleanup and more time to enjoy your meal.

What You’ll Need for This Cozy Skillet

For the Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 12 oz fully cooked chicken or turkey sausage, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups butternut squash purée (canned or homemade)
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Gnocchi:

  • 1 lb potato gnocchi (shelf-stable or refrigerated)

For Serving:

  • Fresh thyme leaves
  • Extra Parmesan

A Few Trusted Tools from My Kitchen

My Favorite Large Skillet

A good, heavy-bottomed skillet is your best friend for this recipe, as it heats everything evenly, from browning the sausage to simmering the sauce.

A Simple Slotted Spoon

Using a slotted spoon to remove the sausage allows you to leave the flavorful drippings in the pan, which adds so much depth to the final sauce.

Let’s Get Cooking, Shall We?

A Golden Start for the Sausage

Heat the olive oil in your skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until nicely browned, about 3 to 4 minutes. Once they’re ready, move them to a plate. My little tip is to get a really good sear on the sausage for the best flavor.

Building a Foundation of Flavor

In that same skillet, add the butter and chopped onion. Cook for about 3 minutes until the onion is soft and lovely. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for just 30 seconds more until you can smell that wonderful aroma.

Crafting That Velvety Squash Sauce

Whisk in the butternut squash purée, chicken broth, cream, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Let it all simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring now and then, until the sauce is smooth and has thickened just right. Don’t forget to season it with salt and pepper to your liking.

Giving the Gnocchi a Quick, Gentle Boil

While your sauce is simmering away, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook until they float to the top, which usually takes just 2 to 3 minutes. Before you drain them, be sure to save about 1/4 cup of that starchy cooking water.

The Moment It All Comes Together

Add the cooked gnocchi and the seared sausage back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together gently. If the sauce seems a bit too thick, add a little splash of the reserved gnocchi water to help it coat everything beautifully. Finally, stir in the Parmesan cheese.

The Finishing Touches Before Serving

Serve the gnocchi while it’s nice and hot, garnished with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese and some fresh thyme leaves. It’s a simple touch that makes it feel special.

Close up of tender Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage simmered in creamy Butternut Squash Sauce made from smooth Butternut Squash Puree, a one pan star among Fall Dinner Recipes and Squash Recipes.

A Little Note on Nutrition

Please remember that the nutritional information provided here is just a friendly estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and amounts you use in your own kitchen.

If You’re Looking for a Lighter Touch

For a lighter version of this dish, consider using turkey sausage, which is leaner than pork. You can also substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk to reduce the richness. To add a bit more green, sautéed kale or spinach can be stirred into the sauce right along with the gnocchi.

How to Serve This Dish with Love

This butternut squash gnocchi is a wonderful, hearty meal all on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a simple side.

  • A crisp arugula salad with a bright lemon vinaigrette can cut through the richness of the sauce.
  • A side of roasted broccoli or Brussels sprouts adds a nice, earthy flavor.
  • A loaf of warm, crusty bread is just perfect for soaking up every last bit of that delicious sauce.

A Few Little Tips from My Kitchen

  • On Cooking Gnocchi: Gnocchi cook very quickly! Be sure to remove them from the boiling water as soon as they float to the surface to prevent them from becoming mushy.
  • On That Magical Gnocchi Water: The starchy water from cooking the gnocchi is a key ingredient for creating a silky, smooth sauce that clings perfectly. Don’t forget to save some before draining.
  • On Seasoning: Be sure to taste and season your sauce with salt and pepper. A well-seasoned sauce makes all the difference in the final dish.

Saving Some for a Rainy Day

If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the gnocchi and sauce in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.

From My Kitchen to Yours

This dish is more than just a recipe; it’s a warm hug in a bowl. It’s one of those fall dinner recipes that I hope will bring as much comfort and joy to your table as it has to mine. I encourage you to gather your loved ones, share this meal, and create your own beautiful memories.

You Might Be Wondering…

What’s the best kind of sausage to use?

I prefer using a good quality, sweet or mild Italian chicken or turkey sausage. A sage sausage is also absolutely wonderful, as it complements the butternut squash beautifully.

Can I use fresh butternut squash instead of canned?

Absolutely! If you have the time, roasting a butternut squash and puréeing the flesh yourself will add an even deeper, sweeter flavor to the sauce. It’s a lovely extra step.

Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?

Yes, it is! To make this dish gluten-free, simply use your favorite brand of gluten-free gnocchi. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but it’s always wise to double-check the labels on your specific products.

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A stainless skillet filled with pillowy gnocchi and sliced sausage coated in glossy butternut squash sauce, showcasing Gnocchi Recipes and Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage as cozy Fall Comfort Food for an easy Fall Dinner.

Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage

  • Author: Sarah
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage is pure comfort in a skillet, blending pillowy gnocchi and savory sausage in a creamy, dreamy butternut squash sauce. It’s one of our family’s favorite fall dinner recipes, perfect for a cozy evening in.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 12 oz fully cooked chicken or turkey sausage, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups butternut squash purée (canned or homemade)
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 lb potato gnocchi (shelf-stable or refrigerated)
  • Fresh thyme leaves
  • Extra Parmesan

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, 3–4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
  2. Add butter and onion to the skillet. Cook 3 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
  3. Whisk in butternut squash purée, chicken broth, cream, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 5–7 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook gnocchi until they float, about 2–3 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water, then drain.
  5. Add gnocchi and sausage to the skillet with sauce. Toss gently, adding reserved gnocchi water if needed to loosen the sauce.
  6. Stir in Parmesan cheese and serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh thyme.

Notes

Gnocchi cook very quickly—remove them as soon as they float to avoid mushiness. Save some gnocchi water to create a silky sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 870mg
  • Fat: 26g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 56g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: butternut squash gnocchi, sausage gnocchi, fall dinner, skillet recipe, comfort food

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