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This One Pot Gnocchi is a creamy bowl of comfort filled with gnocchi, sausage, kale, and cheese. It’s perfect for chilly days on the couch, or when you need an easy dinner recipe.

Aren’t one pot meals the best? First there’s my vegan tomato soup and my cheesy cauliflower rice skillet, and now there’s this delicious one pot gnocchi filled with sausage and kale!
You know that really good soup from Olive Garden? You may be thinking of one soup, but the kind I’m referring to is the Zuppa toscana soup. This creamy gnocchi with sausage is reminiscent of that: hearty and so, so delicious.
Why you'll love this recipe
- It's made in ONE POT, and it doesn't get much simpler than that
- It's super filling thanks to the gnocchi and the sausage
- This soup is the most comforting of all the comfort foods
Ingredient notes
Gnocchi - can usually find in either the pasta aisle, or in the refrigerated section at the grocery store
Sausage - preferably mild or spicy Italian
Kale - can sub spinach or your favorite greens
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Cook the sausage. Add sausage to a large, deep skillet or dutch oven, then use a wooden spoon to bread it up and cook it all the way through. Then, use a slotted spoon to remove the cooked sausage and set it aside.
Step 2: Simmer. In that same skillet/dutch oven, cook the onion and garlic until soft, then add the gnocchi and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, then slowly stir in the cheese until it's melted. Simmer gnocchi until it's almost cooked (check package instructions for specific times).
Step 3: Combine. Last, stir in the kale and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes, then remove skillet from the heat and add the sausage back in. Top everything with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes before serving.
Tips
- Using high quality or freshly grated cheese is best; that way, it melts quickly and easily
- If the mixture seems too thick for your liking, simply add 1 cup of water to the skillet and stir, which will thin it out
Can this be made vegetarian?
Yep! If you want to go that route, simply use plant-based sausage and vegetable broth instead.
How should leftovers be stored?
Leftovers should be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. With that said, the gnocchi will most likely absorb a lot of the broth, so when reheating, add mixture to a skillet and pour additional broth in to create a more soup-like consistency.
More hearty dinner recipes
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
One Pot Gnocchi with Sausage and Kale
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Italian sausage casing removed*
- 1 cup yellow onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 lb. gnocchi
- 32 oz. chicken broth
- 1 cup parmesan cheese shredded
- 3 cups kale stems removed
- ½ teaspoon salt or more
- Black pepper and red pepper flakes to taste
Instructions
- Start by cooking the sausage in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat. One it's cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove it and set it aside.
- In that same skillet, add 1-2 tablespoon oil then cook the onion for a couple minutes then add in the garlic. One the garlic turns golden in color, add the gnocchi and chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer, then slowly stir in the cheese and salt. Continue simmering until the gnocchi is *almost* cooked, then add in the kale and cook until gnocchi is fully cooked.
- Last, add the sausage back in and add some black pepper and red pepper flakes to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
UPDATE NOTE: This post was originally published in November 2018. It was updated with new text and photos in November 2020.
Greta says
I love this recipe. Instead of sausage I made mini Italian meatballs to put in. Delicious 😋
Erin says
YUM that sounds delicious!
K Bartlett says
This sounds so yummy.. I guess I need to go get some sausage tonight!!
Erin says
Thanks Karen -- let me know if you try it!
Emma James says
Hey thanks alot for sharing this valuable information. Please keep posting this type of information related to One Pot Gnocchi with Sausage and Kale.
Keep up the good work!
Regards!
Emma James
Michelle Warburton says
The perfect weeknight meal - only 30 minutes and one pot to clean! Not to mention absolutely delicious! Just as good day two for lunch. We will definitely make again!
Jeremy K says
What brands gnocchi do you recommend?
Erin says
I used Delallo but any brand will work!
Jeremy K says
Thanks! Look forward to trying this!
Lyla Hassan says
Wow, this gnocchi looks so delicious ...Thanks for posting this amazing recipe 🙂