Sheet Pan Gnocchi

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Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Ground Pork Sausage and Vegetables is a delightful and effortless dish that brings together the rich flavors of ground pork sausage, gnocchi, and an array of colorful vegetables, all cooked to perfection on a single sheet pan. This easy dinner offers a harmonious blend of savory and wholesome ingredients, creating a satisfying one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.

With minimal prep and easy cleanup, you’ll find yourself returning to this recipe time and again. Let’s dive into how to create this mouthwatering and visually appealing dish that will surely become a favorite at your table.

Gnocchi with veggies and pork sausage on a baking tray

I love a yummy sheet pan dinner. It’s so simple to toss everything onto a pan, put it in the oven, and just pull it out when it’s all browned and ready to eat. The flavors meld together on the sheet pan, and your veggies get that sweet caramelized taste and golden color. You can also try sheet pan eggs for breakfast or a light dinner or this Greek-inspired chicken and veggie dish.

Table of Contents

What is a sheet pan dinner?

Making a sheet pan dinner is a convenient way to prepare a complete meal that gets cooked on one single sheet pan. Most sheet pan dinners will include a protein such as sausage, pork, or chicken, chopped veggies, and a starch like potatoes, sweet potatoes, or gnocchi.

Home chefs love sheet pan dinners for their simplicity, customization, and easy cleanup. Because sheet pan dinners are baked and not fried, they can be a healthy way to cook many of your favorite foods.

What You’ll Love About Sheet Pan Gnocchi

You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to cook beautiful, great tasting food. With just a little effort, this sheet pan dinner comes together effortlessly.

Easy & Fancy: Imagine having a super fancy dinner without doing any super hard work. This recipe is like magic – it puts sausage, gnocchi, and veggies together on a pan, and ta-da, you’ve got a fancy yet easy dinner!
Flavors That Work Together: Think about flavorful sausage, soft gnocchi, and colorful veggies all melding together on one sheet pan. Hot and seasoned perfectly, this dish is a crowd-pleaser.
Only One Pan, No Problem: Say bye-bye to washing a bunch of dishes! Just use one pan and make clean up a breeze.

What Should I Serve With a Sheet Pan Dinner?

Wondering if you need to make sides to serve with your dinner? This is really a complete family meal on its own. If you feel you need to add to fill out the meal a bit more, make something simple to accompany it like a salad, a pot of soup, or some crusty bread.

Ingredients

Ground pork sausage – Hot or mild, or a mixture of both! You can also make this with turkey sausage or plant-based alternatives if you prefer.
Zucchini – Yellow squash makes a great replacement for zucchini.
Grape tomatoes – Cherry tomatoes work just as well in this recipe, but small tomatoes are key!
Red and yellow peppers – Feel free to use orange peppers, too.
Green pepper – You can also mix in some poblano peppers for a mild and smoky flavor.
Extra virgin olive oil – Avocado oil is a healthy alternative with a mild taste.
Italian seasoning – Herbes de Provence is similar and provides plenty of flavor.
Garlic powder – You can also use fresh garlic for a more intense garlicky taste.
Red pepper flakes – You can skip these if you want a mild flavor.
Kosher salt
Freshly cracked pepper
Potato gnocchi – Storebought works great! If you’re up for the challenge, you can also make a homemade batch.
Fresh basil leaves – A sprinkle of dried basil will taste great, but the fresh leaves provide a beautiful pop of green color.

How to Make

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Fill a saucepan with water and bring to a boil.

STEP TWO: Prep the meat and veggies. On a large rimmed baking sheet, add the Italian sausage in crumbles, zucchini, tomatoes, and peppers. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat.

STEP THREE: Bake. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until the sausage is cooked through.

uncooked vegetables and ground pork sausage on a baking try

STEP FOUR: Boil the gnocchi. Boil the gnocchi according to package instructions, about 2-4 minutes or until they float to the top. Remove with a slotted spoon.

STEP FIVE: Add gnocchi to vegetables. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and add the cooked gnocchi.

STEP SIX: Broil. Turn your oven to broil. Place the tray under the broiler for 5 minutes or until the gnocchi is golden brown.

STEP SEVEN: Serve. Garnish with basil and serve hot.

Tips and Recipe Notes

Give the veggies a good toss halfway through roasting. Spread them back out into an even layer. They’ll cook much more evenly that way.
Use a rimmed baking sheet. The juices will stay contained and won’t make a mess in your oven.
Make sure the sausage is spread out in crumbles or you can end up with chunks of undercooked meat.

FAQs

Can I use frozen gnocchi?

Fresh gnocchi is recommended for this recipe, but you can experiment with frozen. Allow them to thaw completely and cook as directed.

How can I prevent the gnocchi from sticking together?

When you boil the gnocchi, stir it gently so they don’t clump together or break apart. You can also toss them with a bit of olive oil after you drain out the water.

Do I have to use the broiler?

Broiling gives the gnocchi a lovely golden finish, but you can skip it if you prefer. You can opt to add the gnocchi a bit earlier to allow it a bit of time to crisp up a bit more.

How to Store Leftovers

Happily, there might just be leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch! Store any extra portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just a heads-up, though, the gnocchi’s texture might change a bit upon reheating, but the flavor will still be delicious.

Can I Freeze Leftovers?

Absolutely! Pop your leftover sheet pan dinner into a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Reheat?

When you’re ready to enjoy again, cover the leftovers with foil and reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. For a quicker fix, use the microwave at medium power, stirring every 30 seconds until hot.

Can this Recipe be Made Gluten-Free?

Absolutely. This meal is gluten-free except for the gnocchi. Use a gluten-free version. Double-check your other ingredients to verify they’re also gluten-free.