Name: Corn and Sausage Gnocchi
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 16 min
Ingredients: 1 package (16 ounces) gnocchi, (cooked, drained (reserving a cup of pasta water)); 12 ounces smoked sausage, (like kielbasa, diagonally sliced into ½-inch pieces); 2 cans (15 ounces each) sweet corn, (drained); 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, (divided); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 medium lemon, (juiced); ¼ cup (25 g) parmesan cheese, (grated); 1 medium jalapeño, (seeded and diced)

Roasted Corn and Sausage Gnocchi is a flavorful dish that is pretty easy to put together! It’s a blend of smoky, sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors. Plus, I will let you know how to make homemade gnocchi if preferred! If you love easy dinner recipes don’t miss my Chicken Pasta with Brussel Sprouts and Mushroom and Swiss Pasta!

What is Gnocchi?

Gnocchi originates in Northern Italy, where the colder climate was better for growing potatoes than grain. They are a form of dumplings, and, of course, not exclusive to Italy. But their light, airy texture and full potato flavor make them unique pasta with a long history in European cuisine. (Note that gnocchi is commonly referred to as pasta although technically a dumpling.) It is easy to make from scratch but can also be purchased. You will usually find gnocchi in the freezer section of your grocery store.

How to Make Homemade Gnocchi

While this recipe uses frozen gnocchi, you can easily make it from scratch. The most common way to prepare gnocchi is to combine potatoes with flour, forming bite-sized balls of dough.

Here is an easy recipe for Homemade Gnocchi

Ingredients

2 potatoes
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Peel potatoes and add to the pot. Cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, cool, and mash.

Combine 1 cup mashed potato, flour, and egg in a large bowl. Knead until dough forms a ball. Shape small portions of the dough into long “snakes”. On a floured surface, cut snakes into half-inch pieces. You can add texture here by taking each piece and slowly rolling it under a fork.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Drop the gnocchi in and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until gnocchi have risen to the top. Use a hand-strainer to remove the gnocchi and then add it to the dish.

Why Cook Smoked Sausage?

Yes, smoked sausage is usually pre-cooked. But, I like to brown it ahead of time. (Choose your favorite flavor from kielbasa, chorizo, or andouille, just to name a few varieties of smoked sausage.) When cutting up the sausage ring, I prefer to cut it on the diagonal. This is not necessary, but I do feel it adds a bit of fun to the dish. In a large skillet or saute pan, add about a tablespoon of oil. Turn it on to medium and add the sliced sausage. Using tongs, move the sausage into an even layer around the pan and let it cook for about 3 minutes. Start flipping over the pieces so that the other side may cook (6 minutes total). Drain the excess oil but do not wipe out the pan.

How to Store Corn and Sausage Gnocchi

Place any leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can either warm it on the stovetop in a skillet with a little oil or place it in the microwave.

More Pasta Dishes

Pasta