Quick & Easy Gnocchi with Fennel & Sausage: Your Ultimate 20-Minute Weeknight Dinner
Transform your weeknights with this incredibly quick and easy Gnocchi with Fennel & Sausage recipe. Featuring savory chicken sausage and aromatic fennel tossed with fluffy gnocchi in a light, creamy tomato sauce, this dish is ready in just 20 minutes and promises a satisfying, flavorful meal the whole family will love.
Embracing the Busy Season with Delicious, Fast Dinners
As the holiday season draws near, life seems to accelerate for many of us. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, bringing with it the promise of cherished family time and a much-needed break from the usual routine. While these moments are precious, the lead-up can be a whirlwind of activities, events, and endless to-do lists.
Just last weekend, my son’s Lego Robotics team competed in their State Qualifier, and I’m thrilled to share that they made it to state! My husband and I are two of their proud coaches, and witnessing their dedication and success in their first year of robotics has been incredibly rewarding. This achievement means we’ll be heading to Denver in January for the state competition, adding another exciting event to our already packed schedule. Moments like these, filled with joy and activity, perfectly underscore the constant juggle between family commitments and the desire to still provide wholesome, delicious meals at home.
Between holiday shopping, gift wrapping, cookie exchanges, parties, and family gatherings, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But a busy schedule shouldn’t mean sacrificing homemade dinners for takeout or drive-thrus. With a little planning and the right ingredients, you can still put a fantastic meal on the table in under 30 minutes, ensuring your family eats well even when time is short. This Gnocchi with Fennel & Sausage recipe is a prime example – quick, easy, and undeniably comforting.
The Power of a Well-Stocked Pantry: Your Culinary Secret Weapon
One of the true secrets to preparing quick and delicious meals, especially during the hectic winter months or any busy period, lies in having a thoughtfully stocked pantry. Fresh produce can become pricey and harder to find during the colder season, making reliable pantry staples invaluable. Canned goods are often overlooked but are absolute lifesavers when it comes to whipping up a fast dinner.
Did you know that canned foods are packed at the peak of their freshness? This sealing process locks in not only their vibrant flavors but also their essential nutrients, meaning you get the same quality as fresh or frozen versions, but with the added convenience of a longer shelf life. Stocking your pantry with a variety of canned goods, from tomatoes and beans to broths and vegetables, can significantly reduce food waste, save you money, and ensure you can enjoy wholesome, flavorful meals all year round, regardless of what’s in season or how much time you have.
For more fantastic ideas and to learn how to make the most of your pantry, be sure to visit the Cans Get You Cooking website. They offer a wealth of information and recipes that will inspire you to embrace the convenience and quality of canned ingredients in your everyday cooking.
Discovering the Delight of Gnocchi with Fennel & Sausage
This Gnocchi with Fennel & Sausage recipe exemplifies how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary in minimal time. It’s a dish that feels gourmet but requires very little effort, making it the perfect choice for a cozy family dinner or a delightful meal to savor after a long day.
The star of this dish, the gnocchi, cooks to tender perfection in just about five minutes. While the gnocchi simmers, you can swiftly sauté the flavorful chicken sausage and aromatic fennel. The combination of savory Italian chicken sausage with the subtle, licorice-like notes of fennel creates a unique and irresistible flavor profile. Once cooked, everything is brought together with a light, creamy tomato sauce, resulting in a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
Key Ingredients & Flavor Harmony
Let’s take a closer look at what makes this dish so special:
- Chicken Sausage: We opt for bulk Italian chicken sausage, which offers all the robust flavor of traditional Italian sausage but often with a leaner profile. Its savory notes beautifully complement the sweetness of the fennel and the tang of the tomato.
- Fennel: This often-underestimated vegetable is a game-changer. When sautéed, fennel softens and develops a mild, sweet, almost anise-like flavor that adds an incredible depth and freshness to the dish. Don’t be intimidated by its unique appearance; it’s easy to prepare and truly elevates the meal.
- Tomato Paste: The secret to our rich and flavorful sauce is Muir Glen organic tomato paste. This concentrated paste provides an intense tomato flavor that forms the perfect base for our creamy sauce. A little goes a long way in adding richness and body.
- Cream Cheese: For that irresistible light and creamy texture, a touch of cream cheese is whisked into the sauce. It melts seamlessly, adding a luscious mouthfeel without making the dish overly heavy.
- Gnocchi: These soft, pillowy potato dumplings are wonderfully comforting and cook incredibly fast, making them ideal for a speedy meal.
Crafting Your 20-Minute Masterpiece
The beauty of this recipe lies in its streamlined process. Here’s how it comes together so quickly:
- Gnocchi First: Get your gnocchi cooking according to package directions. It’s usually a matter of boiling water and letting them float to the top once done.
- Sausage & Fennel Sauté: In a large skillet, brown your bulk Italian chicken sausage. As it cooks, the fat renders, creating a flavorful base. Add the finely chopped fennel and onion, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic essence. Finish with minced garlic for a fragrant punch.
- Build the Creamy Tomato Sauce: Stir in the Muir Glen tomato paste, letting it caramelize slightly to deepen its flavor. Slowly whisk in chicken stock, bringing it to a gentle simmer. The final touch is the cream cheese, which melts into a smooth, velvety sauce. Season with Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Combine and Serve: Drain the cooked gnocchi and gently toss them directly into the skillet with the sausage, fennel, and creamy tomato sauce. Everything coats beautifully, ready to be served hot.
In less time than it takes to decide on takeout, you’ll have a heartwarming, home-cooked meal that tastes like it took hours. It’s proof that convenience doesn’t have to compromise on quality or flavor.
Serving Suggestions & Creative Variations
To make this a complete and satisfying meal, consider serving your Gnocchi with Fennel & Sausage alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette or some crusty fresh bread to soak up every last bit of that delicious sauce. A glass of your favorite white wine would also pair wonderfully.
Feeling creative? This recipe is highly adaptable. You could add a handful of fresh spinach or kale at the end for extra greens, incorporate a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick, or even swap out the chicken sausage for a spicier Italian pork sausage if you prefer. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil just before serving would also add a lovely fresh finish.
Gnocchi with Fennel & Sausage
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Ingredients
- 1/2 pound bulk Italian chicken sausage
- 1 small fennel bulb
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 1 pound gnocchi
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Cook gnocchi according to the package directions.
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In a large skillet brown sausage until fully cooked. Add onion and fennel, and saute for a few minutes until soft. Mix in garlic, and stir until fragrant.
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Add tomato paste and stir to combined. Slowly whisk in chicken stock. Bring to a simmer. Stir in cream cheese until melted. Add Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper.
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Toss with gnocchi to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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**I was compensated by Cans Get You Cooking via Mom It Forward for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that I love.