Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Gnocchi Pasta

Table of Contents:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• What is Gnocchi? A Quick Primer
• The Perfect Sauce for Your Gnocchi Dish
• Choosing Your Ingredients for Success
• How to Make It a Complete Meal
• Why This is My Go-To Easy Pasta Recipe
• The Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Gnocchi
• Notes & Tips

Key Takeaways

This Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Gnocchi is the ultimate quick and easy dinner recipe, coming together in one pan in under 25 minutes. The rich, cheesy sauce with savory Italian sausage and sweet sun-dried tomatoes makes it a family-friendly pasta easy recipe that feels special. It’s the perfect example of a fuss-free one pot meal that delivers maximum flavor with minimal cleanup.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Welcome to Patricia Universe! I’m Patricia, and I’m all about creating delicious meals that don’t keep you tied to the kitchen for hours. If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner solution that still delivers on flavor, you’ve come to the right place. This creamy gnocchi is my secret weapon for busy nights. It’s one of those pasta easy recipes that truly lives up to the name—minimal prep, one pan, and maximum satisfaction. I love how the pillowy gnocchi soaks up the luxurious sauce, making every bite incredibly comforting.

What is Gnocchi? A Quick Primer

Gnocchi (pronounced NYOH-kee) are soft Italian dumplings, typically made from potato, flour, and egg. They have a wonderfully tender, pillowy texture that’s a delightful change from standard pasta. In this easy pasta recipe, the gnocchi acts like little flavor sponges, perfectly absorbing the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. Don’t be intimidated—cooking with gnocchi is incredibly simple. You can often find it in the pasta aisle of your grocery store, making it an accessible base for countless easy dinner recipes.

The Perfect Sauce for Your Gnocchi Dish

The magic of this recipe truly lies in the sauce. Sun-dried tomatoes are the star, lending a deep, concentrated sweetness and umami that fresh tomatoes can’t match. Paired with rich heavy cream, savory Parmesan, and fragrant garlic, they create a sauce that’s both complex and comforting. It’s the kind of sauce that makes you want to swipe your bread through the pan to get every last drop. This combination elevates the humble gnocchi into a special meal, proving that a great easy pasta dish doesn’t have to be boring.

Choosing Your Ingredients for Success

For the best results, I recommend a few simple swaps. Seek out sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for the best flavor and tenderness. For the sausage, a good-quality Italian sausage (mild or hot, depending on your preference) adds incredible depth. If you’re looking for a lighter option, turkey Italian sausage works beautifully too. And don’t skip the fresh spinach at the end—it wilts down seamlessly into the hot sauce, adding a pop of color and a nutritious boost without any extra effort. These small choices can transform a good quick dinner recipe into a great one.

How to Make It a Complete Meal

While this gnocchi is hearty enough to stand on its own, I love rounding out the meal. A simple side salad with a bright vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, creamy pasta easy recipe. Garlic bread is, of course, a classic and delicious pairing for sopping up any extra sauce. For a lighter touch, some steamed asparagus or roasted broccoli on the side adds beautiful color and balances the plate perfectly. This versatility makes it an ideal one pot meal for any night of the week.

Why This is My Go-To Easy Pasta Recipe

As someone who values both flavor and my time, this recipe has earned a permanent spot in my weekly rotation. It’s the epitome of what I share here on Patricia Universe: impressive, satisfying food that’s genuinely easy to make. The one-pan method means cleanup is a breeze, and the short cook time means dinner is on the table fast. It’s recipes like this creamy gnocchi that remind me why I love cooking—creating something special and delicious doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s a reliable, comforting quick and easy dinner that never disappoints.

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Gnocchi Pasta

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: creamy pasta easy recipes, dinner recipes, easy recipes, one-pot meals, pasta easy recipes, quick and easy recipes

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Patricia

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) potato gnocchi
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

Cooking Steps

1. Cook the gnocchi according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon (5-7 minutes).
3. Add chopped onion and cook until softened (3-4 minutes). Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
5. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Reduce heat to low and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is smooth.
7. Add cooked gnocchi and baby spinach to the skillet. Gently stir until spinach is wilted and gnocchi is coated in sauce (1-2 minutes).
8. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan before serving.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream. Can be made with turkey sausage or meatless sausage for a different twist. Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Leftovers store well in refrigerator for 3-4 days.