Description
This decadent Millionaire Gnocchi features pillowy gnocchi coated in a rich red sauce made with Italian sausage (or a meatless alternative), creamy herbed ricotta, and golden crispies for added texture. It’s a luxurious dish that balances savory, creamy, and crispy elements in every bite, perfect for a comforting meal or impressing guests at dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Red Sauce:
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (or meatless alternative)
- 1–2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, minced
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and red pepper flakes, to taste
Herbed Ricotta:
- 6–8 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 small garlic clove, grated
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Salt, to taste
- Minced herbs (chives, parsley, thyme), to taste
Gnocchi:
- Two 16-oz packages of pre-cooked gnocchi
Golden Crispies (Breadcrumbs):
- Your favorite golden breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage:
Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add the ground Italian sausage (or meatless alternative) and break it apart. Cook until browned. Remove the sausage from the pan and drain any excess grease if necessary. - Simmer the Sauce:
Turn the heat down to medium-low. Add the olive oil, minced onion, and garlic to the same skillet. Sauté for about 3-5 minutes until fragrant.
Add the crushed tomatoes and dried oregano. Stir in the cooked sausage and let it simmer on low for 30-45 minutes. Season with salt and red pepper flakes to taste. - Make the Herbed Ricotta:
While the sauce simmers, mix the ricotta cheese, grated garlic, lemon zest and juice, minced herbs, and salt in a small dish. Adjust seasoning to taste. - Cook the Gnocchi:
Cook the gnocchi according to the package instructions (usually boiling for 2-3 minutes or until they float to the surface). Once cooked, drain well. - Assemble the Dish:
Add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet with the simmering sauce. Stir gently to coat the gnocchi with the sauce, cooking for an additional 3-5 minutes until everything is well combined and bubbly. - Serve:
Serve the gnocchi topped with a dollop of herbed ricotta and a generous sprinkling of golden crispies. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- If you don’t need all 6 servings, cook only one package of gnocchi and freeze the remaining sauce for later use.
- Feel free to customize the herbs in the ricotta to your taste (rosemary, basil, or even mint work well).
- To make this dish spicier, add more red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage.
- For an extra crispy topping, toast the breadcrumbs with a bit of butter and garlic.
- Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Italian, Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop, Sauté, Simmering, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 50mg