Description
This One Pot Tuscan White Bean and Sausage Gnocchi is a hearty and flavorful Italian-inspired dish combining Italian sausage, tender gnocchi, white beans, and vibrant vegetables in a savory tomato sauce. Baked to perfection, it’s a comforting, all-in-one meal perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil (or sun-dried tomato oil for extra flavor)
- 1 onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed and sliced
- ½ pound cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
Tomato and Seasoning
- 1 (15-oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can water (use empty can from diced tomatoes)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Main Ingredients
- 1 (15-oz) can white beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (16-oz) package gnocchi
- ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil and drained)
- â…“ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 handfuls fresh baby spinach
Optional
- ¼ cup heavy cream (optional for creamier dish; adjust amount to taste)
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 430°F (220°C) to prepare for baking the dish after stovetop cooking.
- Cook Onion and Sausage: Heat a large oven-safe Dutch oven or pot over medium to medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and sauté the diced onion until it begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the sliced Italian sausage and cook until browned and cooked through.
- Add Vegetables and Seasoning: Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and diced red bell pepper, cooking for another 2-3 minutes to soften. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and then fill the empty tomato can with water and add that as well. Let the mixture simmer for 1-2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Incorporate the drained and rinsed white beans, gnocchi, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and grated Parmesan cheese into the pot. Gently stir to coat the gnocchi and mix the ingredients, being careful not to stir too much so the sausage and gnocchi retain their shape.
- Bake and Finish: Place the uncovered pot in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the dish is bubbly. Carefully remove the pot using oven gloves. Stir in the fresh baby spinach and add heavy cream if using, then adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper as desired. Serve immediately, optionally topped with extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can use sun-dried tomato oil instead of olive oil in step 2.
- Removing the casing from Italian sausage before slicing allows it to cook evenly and blend well with the other ingredients.
- The heavy cream is optional and adds creamy richness, adjust quantity to preferred taste or omit for a lighter version.
- Use an oven-safe pot or Dutch oven for the entire recipe to avoid transferring between pans.
- Be gentle when stirring after adding gnocchi to prevent breaking them apart.
- This dish pairs well with crusty bread or a fresh green salad.
