This incredible White Bean Gnocchi recipe masterfully combines aromatic vegetables, savory smoked sausage, tender white beans, pillowy gnocchi, vibrant fire-roasted tomatoes, and fresh baby spinach. The result? An explosion of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds! This wholesome and satisfying meal is not only packed with nutrients but also incredibly convenient, ready to be served in under 30 minutes, and remarkably, entirely prepared in just one skillet.
For those who appreciate the simplicity and efficiency of single-pan cooking, this White Bean Gnocchi will quickly become a household favorite. If you’re looking to expand your repertoire of easy one-skillet meals, consider trying other beloved recipes like the Sweet Potato Burrito Bowl, the supremely cheesy Tuna Pasta, or the comforting Chicken Tortellini Bake.
One-Skillet White Bean Gnocchi: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal
There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty, and wholesome meal that comes together with minimal fuss. This Tuscan-inspired White Bean Gnocchi is precisely that – a nourishing dish you’ll feel genuinely good about eating. It’s brimming with beneficial ingredients, offers satisfying depth, and embodies the very essence of comfort food. Imagine a rustic Italian-inspired dinner that tastes like it simmered all day, yet only requires a single pan and less than half an hour of your time. This dish delivers on both flavor and convenience, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend dinners.
While the ingredient lineup might appear extensive at first glance (as seen in the ingredient photo below), you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how swiftly everything comes together. Many of the components require no more effort than simply opening a can or a package! The preparation process for this White Bean Gnocchi is straightforward: a quick sauté of some vegetables and sausage, followed by combining all the ingredients in the skillet, and then baking it to bubbly, cheesy perfection. It’s truly a testament to how simple ingredients can create an extraordinary meal.
Quick Tip: Embracing Tuscan Cooking
Tuscan cuisine is celebrated for its emphasis on simple, high-quality ingredients and straightforward cooking methods, typically avoiding heavy, complicated sauces. Olive oil, rather than butter, is the fat of choice, and dishes are frequently enjoyed with a crusty loaf of bread to soak up every last drop of the delicious flavors. This White Bean Gnocchi perfectly captures that authentic Tuscan spirit!
Understanding Gnocchi: A Pillowy Italian Delight
For those new to this delightful Italian staple, let’s dive into what gnocchi truly are. Gnocchi (pronounced “NYOH-kee”) are a traditional type of Italian pasta, though they are often described as small, soft, and pillowy dumplings. While some might confuse them with traditional flour-based pasta, gnocchi stand apart with their characteristic light texture and often include a primary ingredient that defines them: potatoes! Typically, gnocchi are crafted from a blend of semolina, white flour, or both, but the inclusion of mashed potatoes is what gives them their unique soft, tender consistency, somewhere between a pasta and a dumpling.
Despite being potato-based, gnocchi don’t have an overwhelming potato flavor on their own. In fact, plain gnocchi are quite mild, which is precisely what makes them so incredibly versatile. Their subtle taste allows them to beautifully absorb and carry the robust flavors of surrounding ingredients and sauces, making them a perfect canvas for dishes like our White Bean Gnocchi.
For this particular recipe, you’ll need one package of your favorite shelf-stable gnocchi. While the unparalleled taste of homemade gnocchi is certainly a culinary treat, modern store-bought varieties have come a long way. The rich seasonings and other robust ingredients in this White Bean Gnocchi dish work wonders to infuse the gnocchi with an abundance of flavor. Moreover, as the gnocchi bakes in the skillet, it transforms into a wonderfully tender and satisfying component of the meal. To assist you in selecting the best gnocchi from your local grocery store, you can explore lists of top sellers on Amazon or review taste tester’s favorites. If your local store has a limited selection, a reliable choice like Gia Russa® Gnocchi is often readily available and performs well in this recipe.
Once you’ve experienced the deliciousness of gnocchi, you might find yourself eager to incorporate them into more meals. Consider bookmarking some of these other fantastic gnocchi recipes:
- Chicken Gnocchi Soup: A popular Olive Garden “copycat” recipe perfect for a cozy evening.
- Chicken Gnocchi Pasta: Another brilliant one-skillet creation for easy cleanup.
- Baked Gnocchi: Featuring a delightful medley of vegetables roasted on a single sheet pan.
- Sausage Gnocchi: A hearty dish enhanced with savory mini sausage “meatballs.”
Mastering Your One-Skillet White Bean Gnocchi: Essential Tips for Success
Achieving a perfectly balanced and flavorful White Bean Gnocchi is simpler than you might think, especially with these key tips and shortcuts. By following these guidelines, you’ll ensure a delicious outcome every time, maximizing flavor while minimizing effort.
- Embrace Mise en Place (Prep Before You Cook): This dish comes together quite rapidly once you start cooking, making “mise en place” (having all your ingredients prepped and ready) incredibly important. Before you even turn on the stove, take a few minutes to dice your onion, mince your garlic, slice your sausage, drain and rinse your white beans, chop your spinach, and grate your cheeses. Once the initial sautéing of the onion, garlic, and sausage is complete, all the remaining ingredients can be quickly added to the pan and transferred to the oven. This organized approach ensures a smooth and stress-free cooking experience.
- The Superiority of Freshly Grated Cheese: For an exquisite, creamy, and non-greasy topping, always opt for freshly grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain a cellulose coating that prevents clumping in the bag, but this same coating can interfere with how they melt and integrate into your dish, potentially leading to a grainy or oily texture. Freshly grated cheese, on the other hand, melts beautifully and creates a luxurious, golden crust.
- Invest in an Oven-Safe Skillet: The beauty of a one-skillet meal lies in its efficiency and minimal cleanup. Cooking this dish in an oven-safe skillet (like a good quality cast iron or an enameled cast iron pan) allows you to seamlessly transition from stovetop sautéing to oven baking without needing to transfer to another dish. If an oven-safe skillet isn’t available, don’t fret! You can simply sauté in any large skillet and then transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch baking pan for the oven phase.
- Seasoning to Perfection: The initial recipe calls for minimal salt and pepper because many ingredients – such as chicken stock, Parmesan cheese, smoked sausage, and white beans – naturally contribute a fair amount of salinity. However, palates vary, and ingredients can differ in salt content. Therefore, it’s crucial to taste and adjust the seasoning at the end of cooking. Don’t hesitate to add an extra pinch of salt and pepper until the flavors truly “sing” and are perfectly balanced for your liking.
- Boost the Cheese Factor: If you’re a true cheese lover, feel free to enhance the cheesiness! You can add an extra sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan to the skillet before baking, or offer additional freshly grated cheese at the table for individual servings. There’s no such thing as too much cheese when it comes to comfort food!
- The Importance of Sautéing Aromatics: Resist the urge to rush the initial sautéing of the onion, garlic, and sausage. This step is critical for building a deep, rich flavor base for your gnocchi. Take the time (about 5-7 minutes for onions) to allow the onions to become tender and slightly golden, and the garlic to become fragrant. These aromatics won’t soften much further during the baking process, so ensuring they are perfectly cooked at the start is key to avoiding crunchy onion bites and developing layers of delicious flavor.
Time-Saving Recipe Shortcuts for Busy Cooks
We all have those nights when time is of the essence, but you still want to prepare a delicious and healthy home-cooked meal. This White Bean Gnocchi recipe is already quick, but these smart shortcuts can trim even more precious minutes from your prep time without compromising on flavor or quality.
- Opt for Pre-Sliced or Diced Produce: Many grocery stores now offer pre-diced yellow onions in the produce section, ready to go. Alternatively, check the frozen vegetable aisle for frozen diced onions, which can be just as effective in this recipe. This eliminates the chopping and potential tears that come with onions!
- Utilize Jarred Garlic or a Garlic Press: While fresh garlic offers the best flavor, mincing it can be a time drain. For a quicker option, pre-minced jarred garlic is a convenient alternative. If you prefer the freshness of whole garlic but want to speed up the process, a garlic press will provide fresh minced garlic in a fraction of the time it takes to hand-mince.
- Choose Bagged, Pre-Washed Baby Spinach: A major time-saver is selecting pre-washed baby spinach in a bag. This eliminates the need for washing and drying, allowing you to simply add it directly to the skillet. Every minute counts when you’re aiming for a 30-minute meal!
Quick Tip: To Chop or Not to Chop Spinach?
While chopping the spinach for this dish isn’t strictly necessary and skipping it makes the prep even faster, I highly recommend a quick, coarse chop. When the spinach is chopped, it integrates much more seamlessly into the dish, ensuring that you get a taste of greens in more bites. Plus, smaller pieces are simply easier to eat. The chopping process doesn’t need to take more than a minute: just pile the spinach on a cutting board and run a large chef’s knife through it a few times. It’s an easy and quick step that significantly enhances the eating experience!
Elevating Flavor: Smart Ingredient Choices for Your Gnocchi
The quality of your ingredients directly impacts the final taste of your White Bean Gnocchi. By making thoughtful choices, you can ensure a rich, robust, and truly memorable meal.
- Select High-Quality Stock or Broth: The foundation of this dish’s savory liquid is the stock. A superior-quality chicken stock or broth will infuse the entire meal with a much richer, deeper flavor profile. Brands like Swanson’s Chicken Stock® (not sponsored, just a personal favorite) are known for their excellent flavor, making a noticeable difference in the finished dish. If you only have water, that will work, but broth or stock adds a vital layer of flavor.
- Choose Your Favorite Smoked Sausage: The smoked sausage brings a wonderful depth and savory element to this gnocchi. We particularly enjoy smoked turkey sausage for its lean profile and distinctive taste. However, don’t limit yourself – Italian-flavored chicken sausage is another excellent choice, adding a different but equally delightful herbaceous note. Even smoked beef sausage works beautifully to create a heartier meal. The key is to use your favorite type of pre-cooked smoked sausage, ensuring it’s ready to be sliced and added to the pan.
- The Magic of Fire-Roasted Diced Tomatoes: This particular type of tomato is a secret weapon for boosting the flavor in this dish. Fire-roasted diced tomatoes are charred over an open flame before being diced and canned. This contact with the flame caramelizes their natural sugars, intensifying their sweetness and imparting a distinct, delicious smoky flavor. Essentially, you get a richer, more complex tomato base without any extra effort, significantly enhancing the overall depth of the gnocchi.
- The Role of White Kidney Beans (Cannellini): White kidney beans, also known as cannellini beans, are a fantastic addition, contributing a creamy texture and a mild, earthy flavor that complements the richness of the sausage and tomatoes. They also add a wonderful source of plant-based protein and fiber, making the meal even more substantial and nutritious. Ensure they are well-drained and rinsed before adding them to the skillet.
Perfect Pairings: White Bean Gnocchi Side Dish Suggestions
One of the many wonderful aspects of this White Bean Gnocchi recipe is its completeness. It’s truly a well-balanced meal all on its own, offering a generous serving of vegetables, a hearty protein from the sausage and beans, and comforting carbohydrates from the gnocchi. However, if you’re looking to elevate your dining experience or simply want to add a little something extra, here are some delightful side-dish suggestions that pair perfectly with its robust flavors:
- Artisan Bread Selection: Nothing complements a savory, saucy Italian-inspired dish quite like a piece of crusty bread. Consider serving with warm, crusty ciabatta, soft dinner rolls, or homemade garlic bread to sop up every last bit of the rich tomato and cheese sauce.
- Fresh Garden Salads: To add a refreshing contrast and a burst of freshness, a simple garden salad is always a great choice. Options like this crisp Italian salad or a vibrant Olive Garden-style salad can provide a light, tangy counterpoint to the richness of the gnocchi.
- Complementary Roasted Vegetables: If you’re looking for more vegetables, roasted options are fantastic, especially since many can be cooked at the same oven temperature as the gnocchi. Our Roasted Broccoli recipe is a quick and easy choice, ensuring minimal additional effort while boosting your vegetable intake. Other quick-roasting vegetables like asparagus or bell peppers would also be wonderful.
More Comforting One-Pan Meals Featuring Smoked Sausage
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and flavor of smoked sausage in this gnocchi dish, you’ll be thrilled to discover its versatility in other one-pan and easy-prep meals. Smoked sausage is a fantastic ingredient for adding deep, savory flavor without a lot of extra work, making it a go-to for quick and satisfying dinners. Here are more ideas to keep your weeknight meal rotation exciting and delicious:
- One-Pan Italian Sausage and Veggies: A colorful and nutritious medley featuring zucchini, carrots, red peppers, potatoes, and broccoli, all roasted to perfection alongside flavorful Italian sausage.
- One-Pan Jambalaya: Bring the vibrant flavors of Louisiana to your kitchen with this easy jambalaya, packed with succulent shrimp, savory rice, and, of course, delicious smoked sausage.
- Tin Foil Sausage and Veggies Dinner: The ultimate fuss-free meal! Smoked sausage and a mix of vegetables, including sweet corn, cooked together in individual foil packets for effortless cleanup and tender results.
- Sausage Kabobs: A fun and customizable meal featuring chunks of smoked sausage threaded onto skewers with crisp bell peppers, sweet onions, and earthy mushrooms, perfect for grilling or baking.
- Honey Mustard Chicken Sausage and Veggies: A quick and flavorful option made right in your air fryer! Chicken sausage and vegetables coated in a tangy honey mustard sauce, yielding perfectly cooked results in minutes.
White Bean Gnocchi
Equipment
- Oven-safe pan or a large pan and 9 x 13-inch baking pan
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely diced, 1 cup
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (13-ounce) package smoked turkey sausage coined
- 1/4 cup chicken stock or broth or water; I like Swanson’s
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper
- 1 (15.5-ounce) can white kidney beans or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (16-ounce) package gnocchi shelf-stable
- 1-1/2 cups fresh baby spinach coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup Freshly shredded mozzarella cheese plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- fresh flat-leaf parsley finely chopped, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425℉ (218°C) and adjust a rack to the upper third. Before you begin cooking, ensure all your ingredients are prepped: dice the onion, mince the garlic, slice the smoked sausage into approximately 1/2-inch thick coins, thoroughly drain, rinse, and pat dry the white beans, coarsely chop the baby spinach, and grate both mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Place a large oven-safe skillet (a deep 12-inch cast-iron skillet works wonderfully) on your stovetop over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the diced onion. Sauté, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until the onion becomes transparent and begins to turn golden, which should take about 5–7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the coined turkey sausage and cook until it is lightly browned, about 3–4 minutes.
- To the skillet, add the chicken stock (or broth/water), the undrained fire-roasted diced tomatoes, dried oregano, dried parsley flakes, garlic powder, paprika, the prepared white beans, uncooked gnocchi (gently break apart any pieces that are sticking together), and the coarsely chopped spinach. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. (A good starting point is 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, then adjust later). Stir all the ingredients until they are well combined. Finally, top the mixture evenly with the freshly grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Carefully transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 17–23 minutes, or until the gnocchi is tender and the sauce is bubbly. For an extra delicious crispy, golden-brown top, you may broil the dish for 1–2 minutes at the very end. Keep a close watch during broiling, as cheese can go from perfectly golden to burnt in mere seconds!
- Remove the skillet from the oven and let it cool slightly for a few minutes before tasting and adjusting any additional seasonings if needed. Garnish with fresh, finely chopped flat-leaf parsley (optional) and serve hot. For an extra touch of indulgence, top individual bowls with more freshly grated cheese – absolutely delicious!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.