Sheet Pan Pesto Gnocchi with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Zucchini

This easy sheet pan meal combines gnocchi with flavorful pesto, savory sausage, and a blend of colorful cherry tomatoes, tender zucchini, and beautiful red onion for a delicious dinner the whole family will love!

WHAT’S NEW?

My crew and I are spending the last week of summer on an adventure in the upper peninsula of Michigan! I’ve been to Mackinac Island many years ago, but never fully emerged in the beauty and simplicity of the UP! We hosted my brother and his family along with my parents this past weekend and had a wonderful time out on the water, in the pool, and having water balloon fights. Those cousins are always up to something! It feels great to be ending summer with a bit of R&R and lots of family time. It also feels good to know that we hustled hard to get our home in tip-top shape for our return. We even trimmed up our basil plan and used our CSA basil to whip up yet another batch of pesto. Sure, we’ll walk in with laundry galore, but the rest of the house is ready for the first week of school!

I am officially on the look-out for any simple meals that can be eaten in shifts. With travel soccer season in swing for Piper, Shea is also playing flag football and her swim season will kick off in early September. I will need all the ideas for wholesome, easy dinner recipes! Fitting the bill is certainly sheet pan recipes and this one packed with flavor!

ROLL CALL FOR THIS RECIPE

• Easy Clean-Up Seekers: One large sheet pan is all this recipe takes! Heed my advice in lining that sheet pan with parchment paper and/or foil for easy clean up!
• Meal Preppers: Everything for this recipe can be chopped and prepped ahead of time. Plus, it makes EXCELLENT leftovers!
• Weeknight Warriors: If you can meal prep and disregard oven preheat, you’re looking at 25 minutes start-to-finish making this one delicious, easy weeknight dinner!

KEY INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

• Gnocchi: While I opted for a store-bought gnocchi to save time, you can certainly make your own homemade gnocchi – yum! Gnocchi is commonly found in gluten free varieties, too! 
• Sausauge: I went with an Al Fresco brand of chicken sausage, however any pre-cooked lean protein sausage will work. 
• Tomatoes: Cherry ot grape fresh tomatoes left whole work great in this recipe, however you can sub in sun-dried tomatoes either packed in oil or vacuum sealed dry.
• Zucchini: Summer squash is a good substitute!
• Onion: Any type of onion goes – I love the red onion for the pop of color but sweet onion is always an excellent flavor!
• Olive Oil: Using a high-quality extra virgin olive oil offers full, rich flavor and is an excellent choice for its antioxidants and monounsaturated fat content. Avocado oil, sunflower oil, or safflower oil will work well, too.
• Pesto: Use store-bought pesto (DeLallo brand is a popular and shelf-stable) or homemade pesto – see the FAQ for a few recipe ideas! Leftover pesto can be kept in the fridge for several months or frozen. If you don’t have or love pesto, use about 1/3 cup olive oil and season with garlic powder or fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, etc.
• Burrata: Fresh mozzarella is a great alternative. You can also omit the ingredient, if desired.

NUTRITIONAL MERITS

• Good source of fiber (4.5 grams), especially when served over greens
• Easily made gluten-free with gluten-free gnocchi
• Rich in protein with nearly 27 grams per serving
• High in heart-healthy unsaturated fats from both olive oil and pesto

FAQ

Is potato gnocchi gluten-free?

No, however gnocchi is one of the few “starchy” ingredients that is easily made gluten-free, easy to find gluten-free, and tastes great in gluten-free varieties!

Do you have a favorite pesto recipe?

Due to the cost of pine nuts, I’ve gone to using more sunflower seeds in my homemade pestos. I love this Basil Pesto with Pine Nuts, Sunflower Seeds, and Lemon – it’s the best of both versions! You can also try pesto made with arugula, such as this Arugula-Basil Pesto or even Pesto Rosso for something entirely unique!

Where do I find gnocchi in the grocery store?

Most commonly you will find shelf-stable gnocchi in the pasta aisle. Many people don’t assume it is shelf-stable, however that makes it a pantry staple!

VARIATIONS, STORAGE, and TIPS

• Try adding a bit of whole milk, half and half, or heavy cream to the pesto for a creamy pesto sauce version.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Store the burrata separate from the gnocchi and add just before serving. I find it best at room temperature or not straight from the fridge.
• Use whatever veggies you have and like – red bell pepper, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, brussels sprouts, and mushrooms all work well. Try switching up the recipe by using different veggies.
• Serve over a bed of greens for an extra nutritional punch and beautiful presentation.
• For extra sides, serve with a side Caesar salad, garlic bread, and extra Parmesan cheese – yum! That said, this is a complete meal as-is!

Love basil and all things pesto? So, so delicious!

• Spring Orzo Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette
• Pesto Rosso
• Green Goddess Pesto-Squash Pizza
• Seared Scallop Pesto Pasta with Slow Roasted Tomatoes
• Pesto Turkey Meatballs
• Creamy White Bean Lemon Pesto Orzo Soup
• Pesto Steak and Chicken Kebabs
• Creamy Salmon Pesto Pasta
• Pea and Pesto Risotto
• Cheese Tortellini Greek Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomato-Feta Pesto
• Quick Spring Pesto Tortellini Salad

Be well,