Looking for an easy dinner idea? Try this Easy Cheesy Pizza Gnocchi bake. Loaded with Italian sausage, melty cheese, and pepperoni, it’s like pizza night and pasta night all in one. This will be a new go-to weeknight dinner for the family!
This cheesy gnocchi and sausage recipe is perfect for when you need a quick, cozy meal. The best part? This skillet dinner comes together in about 25 minutes with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. If you’ve been looking for new recipes with gnocchi, this one’s a keeper.
Why I love this Easy Cheesy Pizza Gnocchi
- Just a few ingredients
- Family-friendly dinner
- Comfort food in under 30 minutes
- Feels like pizza night, without the delivery
I love me a good gnocchi recipe….something about those potato pillows just does something for my Irish soul lol. I got to thinking I needed an Italian version….what better way to fuse all the flavors of pizza tossed with gnocchi and topped with melty cheese. LOVE IT!
Ingredients Needed for this Pizza Gnocchi recipe
| 🍕 Ground Italian Sausage – I like using Italian sausage for this since it gives the dish so much flavor. You can go with mild or spicy, depending on what your family likes. 🍕 Italian-Style Diced Tomatoes – These add little bites of tomato throughout the dish and make the sauce extra tasty. 🍕 Pizza Sauce (or Marinara) – Either one works here! I usually grab pizza sauce to give it that real “pizza night” flavor. 🍕 Seasonings – Just a sprinkle of garlic powder and Italian seasoning is all you need. 🍕 Gnocchi – These little potato dumplings are the star of the dish and cook up quickly. 🍕 Shredded Italian Cheese Blend – A mix of cheeses that melts perfectly on top. 🍕 Pepperoni Slices – Layer these on for that true pizza vibe. 🍕 Fresh Basil (optional) – Totally optional, but it makes a nice fresh garnish if you have some. |
Watch the video below!
How to Make Pizza Gnocchi
Step 1: Cook the sausage. Grab a large skillet I like to use my cast iron skillet to I can pop it under the broiler to melt the cheese. Cook the Italian sausage until it’s browned and cooked through. If there’s extra grease, go ahead and drain it off.
Step 2: Add the sauce and gnocchi. Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, pizza sauce, seasonings, and cooked gnocchi. Give everything a good mix so the gnocchi gets coated in all that sauce.
Step 3: Add the cheese and pepperoni. Sprinkle shredded cheese right over the top, then layer on your pepperoni slices.
Step 4: Melt it all together. Pop the skillet under the broiler for a couple minutes until the cheese is bubbly and melty. If you’d rather keep it simple, just cover the skillet and let the cheese melt on the stovetop.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy. Add fresh basil on top if you want, and serve it hot — it’s best eaten right from the pan.
Additions & Substitutions
You can definitely make this recipe your own!
- Swap the sausage for ground beef or turkey if that’s what you have.
- Marinara sauce works just as well if you don’t have pizza sauce on hand.
- Want to change up the cheese? Try mini mozzarella balls for a fun twist.
- Toss in some veggies like mushrooms or bell peppers to sneak in a little extra flavor.
Looking for other recipes with gnocchi? Make sure to check out my:
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Easy Cheesy Pizza Gnocchi
Ingredients
Method
- In a skillet or large saute pan, cook the Italian sausage until no longer pink.
- Drain any grease if necessary.
- Add in the diced tomatoes, pizza sauce, the seasonings, and cooked gnocchi.
- Give everything a stir and allow to cook until the sauce is warmed.
- Add the shredded cheese and pepperoni slices.
- Place under the broiler in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is melted (or cover and melt on the stove top).
- Serve hot and enjoy.
