Gnocchi with Sage Cream Sauce – 20-Minute Recipe

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This sage cream sauce recipe is combined with gnocchi and onions lightly caramelized in brown butter. It is a simple yet decadent dish that is on the table in 20 minutes.

Just about any time of year, I’m practically begging for reasons to go out into the garden to harvest something…anything! And even though it’s still too early to harvest our veggies, the herbs are abundant.

For this gnocchi and sage cream sauce recipe, I happily harvested fresh sage from our backyard garden. And the rest of the ingredients are pantry staples or easy-to-grab items from the grocery store.

Of course, the best part of this recipe is using herbs from our kitchen garden. But tied for “the best part” is that it takes only 20 minutes.

Quick and delicious with herbs from the garden? Yes, please. I’ll even take a second helping of that.

I like to serve up this gnocchi dish with a slice of sourdough toast or sourdough fried chicken. Really, you can’t go wrong. It’s a satisfying recipe that works perfectly as a meal on its own or as a side dish.

Why You’ll Love Gnocchi with Sage Cream Sauce

• One-pan meal: You won’t have to worry about cleaning a sink full of dishes. This gnocchi with creamy sage sauce is made in one skillet.
• Adaptable: For a spring dish, I like to make this with gnocchi or cheese tortellini. But if you want perfect fall comfort food, use butternut squash ravioli or pumpkin ravioli. You can also add any protein or herbs that you prefer or have on hand. Don’t be afraid to get creative.
• So simple yet so fancy: This is one of the easiest recipes I’ve made recently, but it tastes and looks elegant. The creamy sauce is decadent yet simple enough for kids to enjoy. The whole family will love it!

Tips for Making Gnocchi with Sage Cream Sauce

• Use the sage you have on hand. Fresh sage will definitely yield the best results. But if you only have dried ground sage, that will work, too. If you use dried sage, add it after you pour the cream in. Otherwise, it will burn. Also, you can use frozen or freeze-dried sage if you have preserved herbs.
• Cooking the gnocchi in the sauce infuses the gnocchi with flavor. If the cream sauce isn’t enough to cook the gnocchi, add about 1/4 cup water to the skillet. The gnocchi will absorb the water, and the sauce will cook down, so you won’t lose the creamy consistency.
• For added nutrition, toss in a few handfuls of spinach. Add it right at the end so you don’t overcook the spinach.
• Use a wine you like the taste of, as this adds flavor to the recipe. This is a good practice any time you cook with wine.

Tools You Will Need

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• Skillet – I use my cast iron skillet for everything, but any large skillet will work.
• Knife – You will need a knife to mince the onions and chop the sage, but this recipe calls for minimal chopping (yay!).
• Cutting board – To keep your knife sharp and in good condition, use an end-grain cutting board.
• Grater – This recipe is best made with fresh grated cheese.
• Large spoon – As the sauce thickens, you’ll need to stir it often so it doesn’t burn. I use a wooden spoon for just about everything, but a slotted spoon is helpful when stirring in the gnocchi.

Ingredients

• 1/2 medium onion, finely diced – Be sure your onions are finely diced or minced. When they are fine, they add a nice texture without making the sauce chunky. If you have a shallot on hand, that will work, too.
• 2 tbsp butter – The browned butter in this sage cream sauce recipe adds depth of flavor. Salted or unsalted butter will work. For a substitute, use olive oil.
• 3 tbsp fresh sage leaves, finely chopped (or 1 tbsp dried ground sage) – Fresh sage makes this extra delicious, but you can use dried or freeze-dried sage.
• 1 garlic clove, minced – Freshly minced tastes best. But dried garlic will work, too.
• 1/2 cup white wine – I used sauvignon blanc for this recipe. Chicken stock or chicken broth is a good swap.
• 1/2 tsp Dijon or stone-ground mustard – I prefer stone-ground mustard, but use what you have on hand.
• 1 cup heavy cream – The cream makes this recipe rich and decadent. Half and half will likely work if you want a lighter option (though I haven’t tested it).
• 1 pound uncooked gnocchi – Dried gnocchi is easy to find at grocery stores, so that’s what I use. But if you have a homemade gnocchi recipe you love, use it!
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated – Fresh grated adds better flavor and texture.
• 1/4 cup gruyere, grated – Like the parmesan, fresh grated is best. The gruyere adds a delicious creaminess and nutty flavor to this recipe.
• 1/4 cup water (optional) – Add water if the sauce seems too thick to cook the gnocchi.
• Salt and black pepper to taste – Always! I prefer coarse kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.

How to Make Gnocchi with Sage Cream Sauce

1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Allow the butter to get foamy and lightly brown.
2. Add the onions and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook until they are lightly caramelized and golden brown, about 5 minutes.
3. Toss in the fresh sage and garlic (see notes if using dried sage). Cook for about 1-2 minutes, until the garlic is aromatic. Stir often to prevent burning.
4. Stir in the white wine, letting it deglaze the pan. Scrape any brown bits off the bottom of the pan for extra flavor. Then, add the mustard and cream. Stir thoroughly.
5. Mix in the gnocchi and cook, uncovered, stirring regularly for about 5-8 minutes or until the gnocchi is cooked through. Reduce to low heat if your sauce is bubbling too much. You don’t want the cream to burn. Optional: if the sauce seems too thick to cook the gnocchi, stir in 1/4 of water.
6. Turn off the heat. Add the parmesan and gruyere cheese and mix in.
7. Add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

Note: If you use dried sage, add it after you pour the cream in. Otherwise, it will burn.

More Recipes You Will Love

• Creamy Lemon Chicken – (30-minute recipe)
• Homemade Cheeseburger Helper
• Easy Beef and Broccoli Recipe (Freezer Meal Option)
• Garden Vegetable Soup
• Cheddar Broccoli and Potato Soup
• Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe
• The Best Homemade Blueberry-Bourbon BBQ Sauce Recipe

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