Vegetarian Marry Me Gnocchi (In Creamy Tuscan Sauce)

With spicy vegan sausage and my proposal-worthy sauce, this vegetarian Marry Me gnocchi makes the most delicious, quick dinner. And as thousands of other readers have done with our “Marry Me” recipes, you can make this sauce vegan or use gluten-free gnocchi to make the dish gluten-free – see notes!

Make it a complete Tuscan dinner with other Italian recipes like a Hugo Cocktail, or a side of Italian Vegetarian Stuffed Zucchini!

At this point, you’re probably familiar with creamy Tuscan sauce or “Marry Me” sauce. It’s an Italian-inspired sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and cream that can be paired with just about anything.

I’ve perfected my version of this sauce to make Marry Me Chickpeas and Marry Me Butter Beans. They’ve been hits on social media (and we even got our first reader engagement from them)!

Whether you’re looking for a delicious Tuscan dish or are planning a wedding, this dish will satisfy both of your needs.

Add it to your Dinner rotation

• Soup or dip, this vegetarian Tuscan gnocchi can be eaten as a hearty soup or dipped into bread.
• This recipe can be made in one pot, thanks to the gnocchi, which cooks quickly. This method actually results in more flavor, too, because the sauce takes on the flavor from the vegan sausage!
• Make it vegan or gluten-free by using vegan heavy cream or gluten-free gnocchi; this recipe is adaptable!

Grab these ingredients

Gnocchi with creamy Tuscan sauce sounds fancy and elaborate…but it’s not. The depth of flavor comes from straightforward and purposefully selected ingredients (that’s the Italian way, after all!). Jump to the recipe card for exact measurements – this is just an overview!

• Butter and Garlic: Garlic gets sauteed in a little butter to start building those layers of flavor. Opt for unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness of the dish.
• Seasonings: Salt, pepper, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika come together together to form an epic flavor base.
• Vegan Spicy Sausage: Vegan sausage has come a long way, and the spicy sausage from Impossible Foods is very good! If you’re concerned about the spice, you can use their original version. Beyond Meat also has a version of this!
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: This makes a sauce a “Marry Me” sauce. They are a staple of Tuscan dishes and bring a savory element we love.
• Broth: You will need either homemade vegetable broth or store-bought from a carton or cube. The gnocchi will absorb it, so I always recommend using the highest-quality one you can.
• Gnocchi: I use the standard size, which is shelf-stable, but you can use mini gnocchi too (my homemade cauliflower gnocchi would be amazing here!).
• Spinach: Inspired by all our readers who have made our Marry Me chickpeas with spinach, I knew I needed to incorporate it into this recipe. Just be sure to chop it so it’s bite-sized.
• Heavy Cream: I use heavy cream for this dish, but many readers have had success using canned coconut milk or vegan heavy cream as dairy-free options.
• Parmesan: Grated parmesan brings a salty and creamy goodness to the sauce. I like to grate my parmesan freshly, but you can use pre-grated or vegan parmesan if needed.
• Basil: Finally, a handful of torn fresh basil seals the deal!

Let’s get you married! (just kidding, let’s Cook!)

Like with many dishes, I keep the ingredient list to the bare minimum. I do this by making sure every ingredient shines through methodical cooking methods. Here’s what makes these Marry Me sauce ingredients shine! (Jump to the recipe for the full printable recipe.)

1. Make the “meat” by browning it with spices and butter.
2. Add the fillings and cook the gnocchi.
3. Finish it off by adding the cream, cheese, basil, and spinach.

Recipe Testing Notes

After making a few different variations of my Marry Me dishes, I’ve learned a few things. Here’s the abridged version of my recipe testing notes!

• The vegan sausage needs butter: Normal sausage does not, but vegan sausage lacks the fat required to render the meat crispy and brown.
• The cream must be added off the heat: Heavy cream has a tendency to curdle when added to a very hot liquid. It does not happen every time, but I learned that it can easily be avoided by removing the pot from the heat and then adding the cream.

Serving Ideas

If I’m being honest, I usually eat this plain and straight from the pot. But it makes a really good dinner served with any of these sides.

• With bread, like crusty sourdough or fluffy naan (here’s how to make your own naan)
• On toast, like a thick slab of sourdough or rye
• Alongside a fresh salad like this vegetarian Caesar salad
• Top it with croutons for an added crunch