Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Gnocchi Skillet

Experience the ultimate weeknight convenience with our Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe. This delightful one-pan wonder combines plump gnocchi, savory Italian sausage, and slightly bitter broccoli rabe, all bathed in a light, irresistible sauce. It’s a truly satisfying meal that comes together quickly and promises minimal cleanup, making it a perfect addition to your busy dinner rotation. Get ready to savor every forkful – you might just want to lick your plate clean!

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While I, as a chef, adore crafting intricate and elaborate dishes, the reality of everyday life often calls for simplicity without sacrificing flavor. That’s where exceptional one-pan recipes like this Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe truly shine. It’s a testament to the idea that gourmet taste can be achieved with minimal effort and cleanup, making it a go-to for my family on bustling weeknights.

This remarkable skillet meal is designed for efficiency and flavor. Everything you need cooks in a single pan, transforming raw ingredients into a hearty and delicious dinner in approximately 30 minutes. The result is a richly flavored, robust dish that’s packed with tender sausage, vibrant broccoli rabe, and pillowy gnocchi. The best part? The single-skillet approach means almost no mess to tackle after dinner, leaving you more time to relax and enjoy.

The foundation of this dish is readily available prepared gnocchi, which dramatically cuts down on prep time. You can typically find fresh gnocchi in the pasta aisle of most well-stocked grocery stores, offering a delightful chewiness that absorbs the sauce beautifully. Broccoli rabe, also known as rapini, is a key ingredient, offering a distinctive slightly bitter note that wonderfully balances the richness of the Italian sausage. Beyond its unique flavor, broccoli rabe is a nutritional powerhouse, loaded with vitamins and minerals, adding a wholesome depth to the meal.

And for that perfect finishing touch, don’t forget a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese! Its salty, nutty flavor acts as the perfect binding agent, tying all the robust ingredients together into a harmonious symphony of taste. This Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe isn’t just a meal; it’s a comforting, complete, and utterly satisfying culinary experience.

Key Ingredients for Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

• Italian Sausage: The flavorful backbone of the dish. You can choose hot Italian sausage for a spicy kick, or sweet Italian sausage for a milder, more classic flavor. Both work wonderfully and contribute rich, savory notes to the gnocchi skillet.
• Sliced Red Onion: Adds a foundational aromatic sweetness that mellows beautifully as it cooks. While red onion offers a lovely color, yellow cooking onions or sweet onions can be used as alternatives.
• Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing the aromatics and sausage, infusing the dish with its characteristic Mediterranean flavor and helping everything cook evenly.
• Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic is non-negotiable here! It delivers an incomparable aromatic depth that powdered garlic simply cannot replicate. Use fresh cloves for the best flavor profile.
• Broccoli Rabe (Rapini): This vibrant green leafy vegetable provides a distinctive, slightly bitter, and earthy flavor that pairs exceptionally well with rich Italian sausage. Ensure it’s thoroughly washed and chopped to remove any grit.
• Chicken Broth: Creates a light, savory sauce that brings all the ingredients together. Opt for low or no-sodium chicken broth to control the overall saltiness of the dish.
• Grape Tomatoes (or Cherry Tomatoes): These small, sweet tomatoes burst during cooking, releasing their juicy sweetness and adding a delightful tang and vibrant color to the skillet.
• Prepared Gnocchi: The star pasta in this dish. Store-bought, shelf-stable gnocchi are perfectly fine and cook quickly, becoming wonderfully plump and tender. You’ll find them in the pasta aisle, often near dried pasta or specialty Italian ingredients.
• Parmesan Cheese: A finishing touch that adds a salty, umami-rich, and cheesy depth. Always use good-quality shredded Parmesan cheese, ideally freshly grated, for the best flavor and melt.
• A Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes: Optional, but highly recommended for a subtle warmth and a gentle kick that complements the Italian sausage and broccoli rabe beautifully. Adjust to your preference.

How to Master Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

1. Pre-cook the Sausage: Begin by adding about 1 inch of water to a large, heavy-bottomed skillet. Place the Italian sausage links into the water and simmer over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes, or until the sausage is partially cooked through and firm to the touch. This step helps to gently cook the sausage, render some fat, and makes it easier to slice.
2. Prepare the Sausage: Carefully transfer the par-cooked sausage links from the skillet to a cutting board. Allow them to cool for a few minutes until they are comfortable enough to handle. While the sausage cools, drain any remaining water from the skillet, leaving it ready for the next step.
3. Sauté Aromatics: Return the same skillet to medium heat and add the olive oil. Once shimmering, add the sliced red onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes until the onions begin to soften and become translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and continue to cook for just one additional minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
4. Brown the Sausage: Slice the cooled sausage links into bite-sized discs. Transfer these sausage discs, along with any accumulated juices from the cutting board, into the skillet with the onions and garlic. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the sausage pieces are beautifully browned and no longer pink in the center. This step develops deep, savory flavors.
5. Tenderize Broccoli Rabe: Stir in the chopped broccoli rabe and pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover the skillet and cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, or until the broccoli rabe is tender-crisp and bright green. The broth helps steam and tenderize the greens while creating a flavorful base for the sauce.
6. Add Tomatoes: Uncover the skillet and add the grape or cherry tomatoes. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring gently, until the tomatoes begin to soften and burst, releasing their sweet juices into the sauce.
7. Cook the Gnocchi: Finally, add the prepared gnocchi directly into the skillet. Stir gently to combine with the other ingredients and ensure they are submerged in the liquid. Continue to cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the gnocchi are soft, plump, and heated through. They will absorb some of the delicious sauce.
8. Season and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using). Stir everything together one last time. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt or pepper to your preference. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade one-pan Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe!

Chef Jenn’s Expert Tips for the Best Skillet Gnocchi

• Gnocchi Quality Matters: While fresh, store-bought gnocchi is excellent for convenience and holds up beautifully in this skillet dish, avoid overcooking it. The goal is plump and tender, not mushy. Gnocchi cooks surprisingly fast, so keep a close eye on it during the last few minutes.
• Perfecting Broccoli Rabe: The key to delicious broccoli rabe is to cook it until it’s tender but still retains its vibrant green color and a slight bite. Overcooked broccoli rabe can become limp and lose its appealing texture. Simmering it in broth helps soften it gently while infusing it with flavor.
• Spice Level Customization: If you or your family prefer a milder dish, opt for sweet Italian sausage. If you enjoy a bit of heat, hot Italian sausage is a fantastic choice that adds a wonderful kick. You can also adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your preference, or omit them entirely for a completely mild version.
• Fresh Parmesan for Superior Taste: The quality of your Parmesan cheese makes a significant difference. While pre-grated options are convenient, freshly grated Parmesan cheese has a superior flavor, melts more smoothly, and lacks the anti-caking agents found in packaged varieties. It elevates the entire dish.
• Choose the Right Skillet: A large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven is ideal for this recipe. It ensures even heat distribution, prevents sticking, and provides ample space for all the ingredients to cook together without overcrowding, which is crucial for a successful one-pan meal.
• Don’t Rush the Browning: Allowing the sausage to properly brown after slicing is essential for developing rich, complex flavors that permeate the entire dish. This caramelization adds a depth of savory goodness that truly makes the meal shine.
• Seasoning Throughout: Don’t forget to taste and adjust your seasoning at different stages of cooking. A pinch of salt and fresh black pepper can enhance the flavors of the onions, sausage, and broccoli rabe as they cook, building layers of taste.

Recommended Pairings & Similar Delights

Make It A Complete Meal

This Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe is wonderfully robust and satisfying on its own, making it a complete meal in one pan. However, to elevate your dining experience, consider serving it alongside a crisp, green salad with a light vinaigrette to add freshness and contrast to the rich flavors. A crusty loaf of artisanal bread is perfect for soaking up every last bit of that delicious sauce. For beverage pairings, a medium-bodied red wine like a Sangiovese or a crisp white wine such as a Pinot Grigio would complement the Italian flavors beautifully. To truly finish your meal on a sweet note, a slice of Nanna’s Apple Cake would be an exquisite dessert choice.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

One of the many advantages of this Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe is how well it stores, making it perfect for meal prep or enjoying leftovers. This delicious dish will keep beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, simply transfer it to a skillet and warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is thoroughly heated through. You may want to add a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce appears too thick.

For longer storage, this gnocchi skillet can also be frozen. Allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat from frozen, it’s best to thaw the dish in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, reheat it in a skillet over medium heat as recommended above. Please note that while the flavors will remain fantastic, the gnocchi may undergo a slight change in texture after freezing and reheating, becoming a little softer. Despite this minor textural shift, it will still be incredibly flavorful and satisfying!