Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Italian Sausage and Broccoli Rabe

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This Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Italian Sausage and Broccoli Rabe is an easy one-pan dinner with crispy gnocchi, juicy sausage, roasted vegetables, and melty cheese—all ready in about 30 minutes!

If you love gnocchi but don’t always feel like boiling a pot of water and making a whole production out of dinner, this recipe is for you. The gnocchi goes straight onto the sheet pan with Italian sausage, broccoli rabe, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and oregano. Everything roasts together until the gnocchi gets golden and the sausage is browned and juicy. Then comes the cheese, because obviously.

I especially love this one for those nights when I want something hearty and comforting but really don’t want a sink full of dishes. The sausage brings plenty of flavor, the roasted tomatoes get sweet and juicy, and the broccoli rabe adds just enough of that slightly bitter bite to balance everything out. It’s one of those dinners that feels like you put in a lot more effort than you actually did—which, let’s be honest, is exactly what we’re going for on a weeknight.

Want more tips for making busy family dinners easier?  Click here for my Free Printable 5 Simple Steps to Easy Family Dinners!

Jump to:

• Why Why You’ll Love This Sheet Pan Gnocchi
• Simple Ingredients and Substitutes for Sheet Pan Gnocchi
• Less Equipment = Less Clean Up
• Time Saving Prep-Ahead Steps for Sheet Pan Gnocchi
• Cooking Steps
• Talking Tip!
• Variations on Sheet Pan Gnocchi
• Sheet Pan Gnocchi Recipe FAQs
• Want More Recipes like this?
• Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Italian Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Recipe
• Comments

Why Why You’ll Love This Sheet Pan Gnocchi

This is one of those dinners I love having in my back pocket when I want something hearty and homemade without spending the whole evening in the kitchen. And if you love this easy recipe, check out more Sheet Pan Dinners.

• The leftovers are actually worth having. Reheat them in a skillet or air fryer to bring some of that crispy texture back.
• Everything cooks on one pan. Gnocchi, sausage, vegetables, and even the cheese—all together. Less cooking and way less cleanup.
• No boiling the gnocchi. Yep! The gnocchi goes straight onto the sheet pan and roasts until golden and delicious.
• Big flavor from simple ingredients. Italian sausage, garlic, oregano, roasted tomatoes, and cheese do most of the work.
• It’s a complete meal. You’ve got carbs, protein, and vegetables all in one pan.
• The gnocchi gets beautifully roasted. Instead of soft, boiled gnocchi, you get those golden, slightly crisp edges that make this dinner extra good.
• It’s ready in about 30 minutes. Perfect for a busy weeknight when everyone is hungry now.
• Easy to customize. Swap the sausage, change up the vegetables, or use Parmesan instead of mozzarella.

Simple Ingredients and Substitutes for Sheet Pan Gnocchi

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• Pre-made Gnocchi (refridgerator section or shelf-stable) – I used a shelf-stable, vacuum-sealed gnocchi, because I think they are easier for this recipe. Frozen can be used, but you may need at cook them a few minutes longer to cook off any water from thawing. Making Homemade Gnocchi is fun too if you have time!
• Extra-virgin olive oil – The oil is used to coat the gnocchi and broccoli rabe so you want a quality oil with good flavor. But you can use other oils, such as coconut oil or avocado oil.
• Fresh Garlic cloves, minced – Fresh is best in this simple recipe, but you can buy the pre-minced garlic sold in a small jar or use dried garlic flakes or garlic powder.
• Oregano, dried – Oregano is such a perfect herb to add an herby flavor boost. You can substitute dried Italian seasoning or dried marjoram or even dried rosemary or thyme.
• Broccoli Rabe, Chopped – Broccoli Rabe can look a little intimidating if you haven’t cooked it before, but it’s actually really easy to work with. It has a slightly bitter, peppery flavor that mellows out when roasted, tender leaves, crisp-tender stems, and little broccoli-like florets. You’ll usually find it in the produce section near the broccoli and other leafy greens. You can substitute it with Broccolini or regular broccoli which are a little milder and sweeter. You could also use chopped kale or Swiss chard if that’s what you have on hand.
• Cherry Tomatoes – Cherry tomatoes are sweeter than larger tomatoes.  You can substitute grape tomatoes or diced plum tomatoes for a similar sweetness.  Otherwise, any fresh tomato that you have will work.
• Italian Sausage meat, raw (or remove from casings) – Raw bulk Italian sausage is Italian sausage that’s sold without the casing, so you can simply break it into pieces as you cook. It has a savory, seasoned flavor with hints of garlic, fennel, and herbs. You can usually find it in the refrigerated meat section, alongside packaged sausage links and ground meats. Use sweet Italian sausage for a milder flavor or hot Italian sausage if you want a little kick.
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (or Parmesan) – Shredded mozzarella melts so nicely over everything and browns so nicely under the broiler (watch it closely!). You can use Parsmesan for a more salty and nutty flavor or any other cheese that you love that’s shredded or grated.

See recipe card for quantities.

Less Equipment = Less Clean Up

• Nothing special for this one! Just a large sheet pan (I use a 17×11) o cook everything together.
• I also use aluminum foil to line the pan for easy clean up. You can parchment paper as well.
• Oh, and mincing garlic is made super easy with a Garlic Press. You can also use a using a grater or microplane.

Time Saving Prep-Ahead Steps for Sheet Pan Gnocchi

We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Here are steps you can prepare ahead to save time on busy nights! (See the full recipe below) 

Clean and chop your broccoli rabe. Halve the cherry tomatoes.

Mince the garlic. In a small bowl, add the olive oil, minced garlic, and oregano.

Cooking Steps

Preheat the oven to 450℉. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy clean up.

Spread everything out so it touches the bottom so that the gnocchi, broccoli, and sausage have room to brown rather than steam.

Put the sheet pan in the oven for 15-20 minutes, making sure the sausage is cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F for pork sausage.

Take the pan out and sprinkle the mozzarella all over top. Then roast for another 5 minutes to get the cheese to melt, or broil for 1–3 minutes, watching closely so it doesn’t burn until melted and golden brown.

Using a spatula, transfer to a serving bowl, and enjoy!

Variations on Sheet Pan Gnocchi

Here are some easy variations o customize or change this recipe up and make part of your dinner rotation!

• Swap the Sausage – Use hot Italian sausage instead of sweet for a little kick, or try chicken or turkey Italian sausage for a lighter option.
• Add More Vegetables – Throw in sliced bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, or extra broccoli rabe. Just be careful not to overcrowd the sheet pan so everything can roast instead of steam.
• Make It Spicy – Use hot Italian sausage and add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the olive oil, garlic, and oregano mixture.
• Try Parmesan – Instead of mozzarella, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the finished gnocchi. You can also use a combination of Parmesan and mozzarella for extra cheesy goodness.
• Make It Meatless – Skip the sausage and add extra vegetables such as mushrooms, peppers, zucchini, or white beans. You’ll still have a hearty and satisfying sheet-pan dinner.ps!)

Sheet Pan Gnocchi Recipe FAQs

How do I reheat leftover sheet pan gnocchi?

For the best texture, reheat it in a skillet over medium heat or in an air fryer so the gnocchi can crisp back up. The microwave works too, but the gnocchi will be softer.

What should I serve with sheet pan gnocchi?

Honestly, this is a complete meal on its own. If you want to add something, a simple green salad or crusty bread would be perfect.

Can I use frozen gnocchi for this recipe?

Yes! You can use fresh, shelf-stable, or frozen gnocchi. There is no need to boil it first. Just spread it directly onto the sheet pan and roast.

Want More Recipes like this?

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Have you tried this recipe? If so, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating in the recipe below! I love to hear your feedback and your rating helps others to find this recipe. Thanks so much!