One Pot Pimento Cheese & Sausage Gnocchi
Creamy, smoky, a little Southern, and completely over-the-top in the best way. This One Pot Pimento Cheese & Sausage Gnocchi is comfort food with personality. It’s bold from the Cajun smoked sausage, rich from freshly shredded sharp cheddar, and has just enough heat from green chiles to keep things interesting without overwhelming the dish. The pillowy gnocchi soak up every bit of that creamy, cheesy sauce, making each bite hearty and satisfying.This is the kind of meal that feels indulgent but is surprisingly simple to pull together. Everything cooks in one skillet, which means less cleanup and more time to actually sit down and enjoy dinner. It’s cozy enough for a weeknight, but impressive enough to serve when you want something a little different. If you love pimento cheese and you love comfort food, this recipe brings those two worlds together in the most delicious way.
Serves 4 people
Ingredients
- 12 oz Cajun smoked sausage sliced into half moons
- 1 lb gnocchi
- 2 jars pimentos drained
- 1 4 oz can diced green chiles
- ½ cup water
- Pepper to taste
- 1 –2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 –2 tsp onion powder
- Dried parsley to taste
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded
Equipment
- 1 Large skillet
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Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the sliced Cajun smoked sausage until caramelized on both sides. This step builds deep flavor, so let it get a little color. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the flavorful sausage drippings in the pan.
- Add the gnocchi directly to the skillet. Let them fry in the sausage grease, stirring occasionally, until they become lightly golden and slightly crisp on the outside. This adds texture and prevents them from becoming too soft in the sauce. If there is excess grease, carefully remove some, leaving just enough to coat the pan.
- Stir in the drained pimentos and diced green chiles. These bring color, a slight tang, and a gentle heat that balances the richness of the dish.
- Return the sausage to the pan and pour in ½ cup of water. Season with pepper to taste, garlic powder, onion powder, and a sprinkle of dried parsley.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for 4–5 minutes. The liquid will reduce slightly and the flavors will meld together.
- Pour in the heavy whipping cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Within a few minutes, the sauce will begin to thicken and coat the gnocchi.
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Serve warm, straight from the skillet.
Notes
Serving Suggestions
This dish is hearty enough to stand on its own, but you can easily round it out with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables to balance the richness. Garlic bread or warm crusty bread is perfect for soaking up any extra sauce. If you want to lean into the Southern flavor profile, serve it alongside sautéed green beans or a simple tomato and cucumber salad. For extra heat, add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce just before serving. Leftovers reheat beautifully. If the sauce thickens too much in the fridge, simply stir in a splash of milk or cream while reheating to loosen it back up. This One Pot Pimento Cheese & Sausage Gnocchi is bold, creamy, cozy, and just a little indulgent. The kind of meal that feels special without requiring complicated steps. It’s comfort food with a twist, and once you make it, it’s likely to earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.
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