Chicken Sausage & Gnocchi w. Lemon Parmesan Sauce

Oct 18, 2025
2 min read

Elevate your dinner & experience the flavors of southern Italy with an easy yet delicious chicken and sausage gnocchi in a lemon parmesan sauce. The best part is that it takes less than 30 minutes to make!

I often joke with people, saying I was probably a "Nonno" in a past life. Yes, an Italian grandfather!

During my multiple visits to Italy, I noticed that the locals take pride in using a few simple ingredients, BUT they make sure these ingredients are of excellent quality.

It is well known that Italians enjoy long, healthy lives with few chronic health issues, largely due to the Mediterranean Diet. A key part of this diet is olive oil. It also includes antioxidant rich foods like lemon, spices and herbs.

These foods all help fight chronic inflammation, which can lead to chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, strokes, cancer. Notice these are common issues here in the United States?

The Health Benefits of Olive Oil, Lemon, and Herbs

The Mediterranean diet has several components. Key components of this recipes that align with Mediterranean diet are the use of olive oil, lemon, and herbs.

Key Ingredients

The combination of olive oil, lemon, and herbs provides:

Olive Oil: Rich in healthy fats and antioxidants, promoting heart health & preventing heart disease.
Lemon: High in vitamin C, antioxidants, which can help support a healthy immune system.
Herbs: Packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to overall wellness & prevention of chronic inflammation.

Embracing olive oil, lemon, and herbs not only enriches meals, but also supports a healthier lifestyle. These ingredients invite culinary creativity and well-being. So let’s start cooking!

Chicken Sausage & Gnocchi with Lemon Parmesan Sauce

Ingredients

serves 4-6

1 (16 oz) package gnocchi

4 chicken sausage links (12 oz), sliced

2 tbsp olive oil

1 small jar (6.7 oz) Rao’s basil pesto

1 juice of lemon

fresh basil leaves

2 oz grated Parmesan

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

2–3 cups baby spinach or arugula

Salt, pepper, and optional red pepper to taste

Directions:

Cook gnocchi in salted boiling water until they float (2–3 min). Drain.
in a large skillet or pot, brown sausage in 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat (5–6 min). Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Remove.
Crisp gnocchi in remaining olive oil until golden (3–4 min).
Add greens and cook 1–2 min until wilted.
Stir in pesto, lemon juice and sausage, adding a splash of water if needed.
Toss with Parmesan, season to taste, and serve warm. Top with fresh basil if desired.