5-Ingredient Sausage Gnocchi

Serves 4 · 5 min prep · 20 min cook

Ingredients

• 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot)
• 1 lb potato gnocchi (shelf-stable or refrigerated)
• 2 cups jarred marinara sauce
• 4 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. 1Remove sausage from casings if needed and crumble it into a large deep skillet over medium-high heat.
2. 2Cook the sausage, breaking it into bite-size pieces, until browned and cooked through, about 7 to 8 minutes; drain excess fat if desired but leave a little for flavor.
3. 3Add the gnocchi directly to the skillet with the sausage—no need to boil separately.
4. 4Pour in the marinara sauce and stir to coat everything evenly, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
5. 5Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook 5 to 6 minutes until the gnocchi is tender and plump.
6. 6Uncover, add the baby spinach in handfuls, and stir until it wilts into the sauce, about 1 to 2 minutes.
7. 7Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the top of the skillet.
8. 8Cover again for 2 to 3 minutes so the cheese melts into a stretchy blanket, or pop under a broiler for 1 minute if you want golden spots.
9. 9Remove from heat and let the skillet rest 1 minute so the sauce thickens slightly.
10. 10Scoop into shallow bowls, making sure each serving gets plenty of sausage, gnocchi, and melted cheese.
11. 11Taste and add salt or chili flakes at the table if your sausage and sauce need a boost.
12. 12Serve immediately while the cheese is still gooey for maximum comfort.