Butternut Squash Sausage and Kale Gnocchi Skillet: A Cozy Fall Favorite

Let me paint you a picture: it’s a chilly October evening, the leaves are crunching underfoot, and your kitchen smells like rosemary, garlic, and sizzling sausage. This, my friend, is exactly the moment you want a big, bubbling skillet of Butternut Squash Sausage and Kale Gnocchi Skillet. This one-pan wonder is everything a fall gnocchi recipe should be—hearty, creamy, and packed with seasonal flavor.

Growing up, butternut squash was one of the first “vegetables” I actually liked (technically a fruit, I know, I know). Toss it with some sausage, kale, and pillowy gnocchi? That’s a dinner I want on repeat all autumn long. This butternut squash sausage and kale gnocchi skillet recipe hits all the right notes: savory, a little sweet, comforting, and just fancy enough to feel special.

Ingredients for Butternut Squash Sausage Kale Gnocchi Skillet

For this gnocchi skillet with butternut squash and sausage, grab:

• 2 links Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
  
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
  
• ½ cup diced yellow onion
  
• 3 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash (about ½-inch cubes)
  
• 1 clove garlic, grated or minced
  
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
  
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional but great for a kick)
  
• 16 ounces gnocchi (shelf-stable or refrigerated)
  
• 4 cups chopped kale
  
• 1¼ cups low-sodium chicken broth
  
• ½ cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  

How to Make Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage and Kale

Step-by-Step Instructions for One Pan Butternut Squash Sausage Gnocchi

1. Brown the sausage.
   
   • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
     
   • Cook the sausage until golden brown and cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon.
     
   • Remove to a paper towel-lined plate.
     
2. Sauté the veggies.
   
   • Add more oil if needed, then toss in the onion and butternut squash.
     
   • Season with salt and pepper.
     
   • Cook until the squash is tender, about 8–10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
     
3. Bring in the aromatics.
   
   • Add garlic, rosemary, nutmeg, and red pepper flakes.
     
   • Sauté for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Don’t let the garlic burn!
     
4. Deglaze & simmer the creamy butternut squash gnocchi with kale.
   
   • Pour in chicken broth, scraping up the browned bits.
     
   • Stir in gnocchi and kale.
     
   • Cover and simmer for about 5 minutes, until the gnocchi is soft and the kale is wilted.
     
5. Finish the sausage kale gnocchi skillet dinner.
   
   • Stir the cooked sausage back in.
     
   • Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
     
   • Sprinkle mozzarella over top, cover, and let it melt.
     
6. Serve this healthy gnocchi recipe with vegetables hot.
   
   • Right from the pan. This one pan butternut squash sausage gnocchi is weeknight gold.
     

Tips for the Best Butternut Squash and Kale Gnocchi Skillet Meal

• Cut your squash evenly so it cooks at the same rate.
  
• Use pre-cooked gnocchi for speed, or pan-fry it for a crispier texture.
  
• Don’t overcrowd your pan. You want things to brown, not steam.
  
• Use baby kale for a more tender bite, or even spinach as a quick sub.
  

This is a healthy gnocchi recipe with vegetables that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Plus, it’s perfect for meal prep and reheats beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions About Butternut Squash Gnocchi With Sausage and Kale

What Is Gnocchi and Why It Works in Gnocchi Skillet Recipes

Gnocchi (pronounced NYOH-kee) are small, soft Italian dumplings usually made from potato, flour, and sometimes egg. They’re cooked like pasta in salted water or directly in broth like we did here.

They soak up all the flavor in this sausage kale gnocchi skillet dinner, making each bite pure comfort.

Related Butternut Squash Gnocchi Recipes to Try Next:

• Pumpkin Chili Recipe
  
• Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
  
• 60 Fall Dinner Ideas
  
• Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet
  
• Perfect Caramelized Onion Risotto
  
• Cheesy Penne with Garlic Butter Ground Beef
  
• Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
  
• Cowboy Butter Chicken
  

Why This Butternut Squash Gnocchi Skillet Recipe Belongs on Your Table

If you want a dinner that’s cozy, fast, and ridiculously satisfying, this butternut squash and kale gnocchi skillet meal delivers every time. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel like a rockstar in the kitchen without breaking a sweat.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or a whole crew, this easy gnocchi skillet dinner brings together the best of fall in one hot, cheesy pan.

Follow my Pinterest page for more warm, hearty dinners like this one. Trust me, your cold-weather dinner game will thank you.

— This is the gnocchi I want to eat.

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