Description
This White Bean Gnocchi recipe is a hearty, comforting dish combining tender gnocchi with a flavorful blend of smoked turkey sausage, fire-roasted tomatoes, white beans, and fresh spinach. Baked with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese to create a perfectly golden and cheesy crust, it makes for a quick and satisfying meal ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion (finely diced, about 1 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 (13-ounce) package smoked turkey sausage (sliced into 1/2 inch coins)
- 1/4 cup chicken stock (or broth or water)
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper (about 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, ajust to taste)
- 1 (15.5-ounce) can white kidney beans (or cannellini beans, drained, rinsed, and patted dry)
- 1 (16-ounce) package gnocchi (shelf-stable, uncooked)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh baby spinach (coarsely chopped)
- 1/2 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese (plus more for serving)
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- Fresh flat-leaf parsley (finely chopped, optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 425℉ and move a rack to the upper third. Dice the onion, mince the garlic, slice the turkey sausage into 1/2-inch coins, drain and rinse the white beans, chop the spinach coarsely, and grate the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Preparation upfront makes the cooking process smooth and quick.
- Cook Onion, Garlic, and Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet (preferably a deep 12-inch cast-iron skillet) over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté until transparent and golden, about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Then add the turkey sausage coins and cook until lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in chicken stock, undrained fire-roasted diced tomatoes, dried oregano, dried parsley flakes, garlic powder, paprika, white beans, uncooked gnocchi (break apart any clusters), and chopped baby spinach. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste, then stir until well combined. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly on top.
- Bake the Dish: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 17-23 minutes until the gnocchi is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. For an extra crispy, golden top, broil for an additional 1-2 minutes—watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the skillet from the oven and allow the dish to cool slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley. Serve hot, with extra mozzarella and Parmesan on the side if desired.
Notes
- Use a cast-iron skillet or any oven-safe skillet to go from stovetop to oven easily.
- If you don’t have smoked turkey sausage, substitute with any smoked sausage or a similar cooked sausage for flavor.
- You can substitute chicken stock with vegetable broth or water if preferred.
- Broiling at the end is optional but recommended for a deliciously crispy cheese topping.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and use vegetable broth.
- Make sure to dry the beans well after rinsing to avoid excess moisture in the dish.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
