Sizzling Sheet Pan Gnocchi: Spicy Sausage & Squash Magic

Gnocchi with spicy sausage and sweet butternut squash is a sheet pan meal that makes dinner easy.

This dish turns simple ingredients into something special without much effort.

Roasting everything together brings out the best flavors in each ingredient.

You’ll enjoy the mix of roasted vegetables, flavorful sausage, and soft gnocchi.

The crispy edges and touch of hot honey make this meal stand out on your table.

With just one pan to clean up, it’s perfect for feeding your family or entertaining guests without stress.

Why Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Spicy Sausage, Butternut Squash & Hot Honey Wows

• Effortless One-Pan Wonder: Simplify your cooking with this sheet pan recipe that requires minimal prep and cleanup, making weeknight dinners a breeze.
• Quick Flavor Explosion: Deliver a restaurant-worthy meal in just 30 minutes, combining spicy sausage, sweet butternut squash, and tangy feta for a taste adventure.
• Customizable Comfort: Easily swap ingredients like vegetarian sausage or different cheeses to suit dietary preferences while maintaining the dish's delicious core flavors.
• Seasonal Showstopper: Perfect for autumn meals, this recipe highlights seasonal butternut squash and warm herbs that capture the cozy essence of fall cooking.

What You’ll Need For Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Spicy Sausage, Butternut Squash & Hot Honey

Main Ingredients:

• Gnocchi: Soft potato dumplings that create a comforting and pillowy base for the dish.
• Butternut Squash: Sweet, nutty vegetable that roasts beautifully and adds rich autumn flavor.

• Sausage: Spicy meat that provides robust flavor and protein to the sheet pan meal. Choose fresh Italian or spicy pork sausage for best results.

• Red Onion: Sharp and sweet vegetable that caramelizes when roasted, adding depth to the dish.
• Thyme, Sage: Fresh herbs that bring earthy, aromatic notes to complement the roasted ingredients.
• Garlic Powder: Provides consistent seasoning and background warmth to the entire dish.

• Feta Cheese or Goat Cheese: Tangy cheese that adds creamy, salty contrast to the roasted elements.
• Hot Honey: Spicy-sweet condiment that brings a final layer of excitement to the sheet pan meal.
• Lemon Zest: Bright citrus element that adds freshness and lifts the overall flavor profile.

• Olive Oil: Essential for helping ingredients roast evenly and develop golden edges.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of all ingredients.

How To Cook Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Spicy Sausage, Butternut Squash & Hot Honey

Step 1: Kickstart the Oven

• Crank up the oven to 425°F
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper

Step 2: Build Flavor Foundation

• Butternut squash
• Red onion
• Gnocchi
• Olive oil
• Thyme
• Sage
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Dump butternut squash, red onion, and gnocchi onto the sheet pan

Splash olive oil generously

Shower with thyme, sage, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper

Toss everything until perfectly coated

Spread ingredients into an even landscape

Step 3: Unleash the Sausage

Wiggle sausage out of its casing

Tear sausage into chunky one-inch pieces

Scatter sausage across the sheet pan

Nestle meat between vegetables and gnocchi

Step 4: Roast to Perfection

Slide pan into the oven

Bake for 25 minutes

Shuffle ingredients halfway through cooking

Step 5: Cheese and Sweet Heat Finale

Pull pan from oven

Crumble feta or goat cheese over the top

Return to oven for 5 more minutes

Drizzle with hot honey

Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves

Dust with lemon zest

Step 6: Devour and Celebrate

Serve piping hot

Enjoy your flavor explosion!

Tips For Making Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Spicy Sausage, Butternut Squash & Hot Honey

• Perfectly Roast Vegetables: Cut butternut squash and onions into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and caramelization.
• Prevent Gnocchi Sticking: Toss gnocchi with olive oil and spread them in a single layer to achieve crispy edges and prevent clumping.
• Choose Quality Sausage: Select spicy Italian sausage with good fat content for maximum flavor and juiciness in the dish.
• Customize Cheese Options: Swap feta with goat cheese or parmesan for different flavor profiles and dietary preferences.
• Balance Heat Levels: Adjust hot honey quantity based on personal spice tolerance, or use regular honey for a milder version.

How To Keep Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Spicy Sausage, Butternut Squash & Hot Honey Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, keeping sausage, gnocchi, and vegetables intact.
• Microwave: Reheat individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even heating and prevent drying out.
• Oven Refresh: Spread leftovers on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil, and warm at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to maintain crispy texture.
• Quick Tip: Add a splash of broth or water when reheating to prevent dish from becoming too dry and maintain original moisture levels.

What Goes Well With Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Spicy Sausage, Butternut Squash & Hot Honey

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Grab a spicy Zinfandel or Syrah to complement the bold sausage and sweet butternut squash flavors, cutting through the richness with its tannic structure.
• Match with Crisp Arugula Salad: Create a light, peppery side salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty sheet pan dish, offering a fresh counterpoint to the warm, spicy meal.
• Serve with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Choose a rustic bread with a chewy crust to soak up the delicious pan juices, providing a perfect textural contrast and additional carbohydrate element to the meal.
• Enhance with Herbal Iced Tea: Brew a cold rosemary or thyme-infused iced tea to mirror the herb notes in the dish, offering a refreshing and aromatic beverage that cleanses the palate between bites.

Fun Twists On Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Spicy Sausage, Butternut Squash & Hot Honey

• Vegetarian Gnocchi Delight: Replace spicy sausage with plant-based sausage or crumbled tofu seasoned with smoked paprika and fennel seeds. Maintain all other ingredients and cooking method.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free gnocchi and ensure all seasonings are certified gluten-free. Swap regular sausage for gluten-free chicken or turkey sausage.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Substitute gnocchi with roasted cauliflower gnocchi or simply use cauliflower florets. Keep the spicy sausage and hot honey for added flavor.
• Dairy-Free Version: Skip feta cheese or replace with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. Use dairy-free alternative hot honey or regular honey for a similar sweet-spicy finish.

FAQs For Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Spicy Sausage, Butternut Squash & Hot Honey

• Can I use store-bought gnocchi for this recipe?

Yes, vacuum-sealed or refrigerated gnocchi works perfectly. Avoid frozen gnocchi as it might release too much moisture during roasting.

• What if I can't find hot honey?

No problem. Mix regular honey with a pinch of red pepper flakes or hot sauce to create your own spicy honey alternative.

• How do I know the sausage is fully cooked?

Sausage should reach an internal temperature of 160°F. Check by cutting a piece in half to ensure no pink remains.

• Is there a vegetarian version of this dish?

Replace sausage with plant-based sausage or add roasted chickpeas for protein. The vegetables and spices will still create a delicious meal.

Sizzling Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Spicy Sausage, Butternut Squash & Hot Honey Recipe

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4.5 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory sheet pan gnocchi with spicy sausage promises a flavor-packed Italian-inspired dinner that brings warmth to your kitchen. Crispy edges, caramelized squash, and drizzled hot honey create a perfect balance of heat and sweetness you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups butternut squash, cubed
• 1 (16 ounces) package shelf-stable gnocchi
• 4 uncooked spicy Italian chicken or pork sausages

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 red onion, halved and sliced
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage (optional)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Garnish and Finishing:

• 4 ounces crumbled feta or goat cheese
• 2.3 tablespoons hot honey (plus more if desired)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• Lemon zest, for brightness

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Instructions

1. Warm the culinary workspace to 425°F and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet for maximum roasting efficiency.
2. Scatter butternut squash, red onion, and pillowy gnocchi across the pan, ensuring generous coating with olive oil and aromatic herbs. Massage seasonings thoroughly to guarantee even flavor distribution.
3. Liberate sausage from its casing, creating rustic bite-sized morsels. Artfully disperse protein pieces throughout vegetable landscape, allowing ingredients to intermingle and develop complex flavors.
4. Commission the oven for a 25-minute transformation, midway rotating ingredients to encourage uniform caramelization and prevent potential burning.
5. Extract the pan and crown the creation with crumbled feta, returning momentarily to gently melt cheese and intensify overall warmth.
6. Elevate the dish’s complexity by cascading hot honey across the surface, then garnish with fragrant thyme leaves and vibrant lemon zest for a bright, zesty finale.
7. Present immediately while ingredients remain piping hot, celebrating the harmonious blend of textures and robust flavors.

Notes

• Customize gnocchi texture by briefly boiling store-bought gnocchi before roasting, ensuring a crispy exterior and soft interior.
• Swap spicy sausage with plant-based alternative for vegetarian version, maintaining robust flavor profile by adding smoked paprika and fennel seeds.
• Prevent butternut squash from burning by cutting into uniform, bite-sized cubes and keeping pieces separated on sheet pan for even roasting.
• Enhance

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg