Sausage Gnocchi with Kale (Printable Version)

Tender gnocchi with spicy sausage, wilted kale, and rich tomato sauce for a quick weeknight comfort meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Gnocchi

01 - 1 lb potato gnocchi, fresh or shelf-stable

→ Sausage & Vegetables

02 - 10.5 oz spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 4 oz fresh kale, stems removed and roughly chopped
07 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes

→ Seasonings

08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Finishing

11 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
12 - Fresh basil for garnish, optional

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for cooking the gnocchi.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 minutes.
03 - Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute longer.
04 - Add kale to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes.
05 - Stir in diced tomatoes, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Simmer uncovered for 7 to 8 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - While the sauce simmers, cook gnocchi according to package instructions until they float to the surface, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Drain using a slotted spoon.
07 - Add cooked gnocchi to the sauce and toss gently to coat. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce becomes creamy.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than ordering delivery, yet tastes like you've been simmering something all day.
  • The spicy sausage does all the flavor work for you—no fussing with multiple seasonings or complicated techniques.
  • Kale transforms from something you tolerate into something you actually crave when it wilts into that rich tomato sauce.
02 -
  • Don't skip browning the sausage properly—that deep brown color is where all the flavor happens, and rushing it gives you pale, bland results.
  • If your sauce seems watery after adding the tomatoes, let it simmer the full 8 minutes; it'll thicken and concentrate into something much more satisfying than it looks at first.
03 -
  • Toast a pinch of red pepper flakes in the hot oil for 30 seconds before adding the sausage—it blooms the heat and makes it taste more intentional rather than just spicy.
  • Taste the sauce before the gnocchi goes in and adjust salt and pepper aggressively; the gnocchi and cheese will mellow the seasoning, so what tastes bold now will be just right.
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