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Creamy Pumpkin Sage Gnocchi Skillet: Easy One-Pan Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pan dinner featuring pillowy gnocchi seared until golden, then tossed in a velvety pumpkin sage sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients, this fall comfort dish is a crowd-pleaser that feels indulgent but is surprisingly light.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16–18 oz potato gnocchi (shelf-stable or refrigerated)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 10–12 fresh sage leaves
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée (100% pure, not pie filling)
  • ¾ cup vegetable or chicken broth (low-sodium)
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg (or to taste)
  • Optional garnishes: extra crispy sage leaves, red pepper flakes, toasted pine nuts

Instructions

  1. Prep ingredients: dice onion, mince garlic, grate Parmesan. Measure pumpkin purée, broth, and cream.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and let melt completely.
  3. Add gnocchi in a single layer. Cook undisturbed 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy on bottom. Flip and cook 2-3 minutes more. Transfer to a plate.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter and fresh sage leaves (reserve 4-5 for garnish). Sizzle 30 seconds.
  5. Add diced onion and a pinch of salt. Cook 4-5 minutes until soft and translucent.
  6. Stir in minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  7. Pour in pumpkin purée and broth. Whisk vigorously until smooth and incorporated.
  8. Add heavy cream and grated Parmesan. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is silky. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
  9. Return seared gnocchi to skillet. Gently fold into sauce. Simmer 2-3 minutes until gnocchi absorbs some sauce and thickens slightly.
  10. Meanwhile, make crispy sage garnish: In a small pan, melt 1 teaspoon butter over medium heat. Add reserved sage leaves, cook 20-30 seconds per side until crisp. Drain on paper towel.
  11. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  12. Serve immediately in bowls, topped with crispy sage leaves, extra Parmesan, and optional red pepper flakes.

Notes

Don’t skip searing the gnocchi for texture. Use fresh sage, not dried. If sauce is too thick, add more broth. Salt gradually as Parmesan is salty. Best served immediately. Leftovers keep up to 3 days in the fridge; reheat with a splash of broth. Not recommended for freezing.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin gnocchi, one-pan dinner, fall recipe, creamy pumpkin sauce, sage, easy dinner, 30-minute meal

Find it online: https://grubella.com/creamy-pumpkin-sage-gnocchi-skillet-easy-one-pan-dinner/