Crockpot Tuscan Sausage Gnocchi: Dump and Forget

This Crockpot Tuscan Sausage Gnocchi is the ultimate weeknight lifesaver. With just five simple ingredients and a slow cooker, you can have a rich, creamy, and utterly satisfying dinner on the table with almost no effort.

The sweet Italian sausage, pillowy gnocchi, sun-dried tomatoes, cream cheese, and mozzarella meld together into a comforting, cheesy bake that tastes like it simmered all day—because it did. Dump it in and forget it, then come back to a bubbling pot of pure comfort.

If there's one dinner that defines 'dump and forget,' this is it. The video shows a beautiful, simple process: brown the sausage, layer in gnocchi and sun-dried tomatoes, top with cream cheese and mozzarella, and let the slow cooker work its magic.

The result is a Tuscan-inspired dish that's creamy, tangy, and loaded with savory sausage. Perfect for busy evenings, this recipe requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor. Serve it straight from the crockpot or plate it on a white dish for a rustic, elegant presentation.

Ingredients

Why this recipe works

This method works because the slow cooker gently simmers everything together, allowing the flavors to meld and the cream cheese to melt into a luxurious sauce. The gnocchi absorb the broth and become pillowy soft, while the sausage infuses the entire dish with its savory, herby goodness. The low, slow heat ensures the dairy doesn't curdle, and the result is a velvety, cohesive sauce that clings to every gnocchi.

The 'dump and forget' approach is genius because it eliminates multiple pots and pans. You brown the sausage once, then everything goes into one vessel. The slow cooker does the rest, freeing you to attend to other tasks.

The layering—sausage on the bottom, gnocchi in the middle, cheese on top—ensures even cooking and prevents the gnocchi from becoming mushy. It's a set-it-and-forget-it dinner that feels anything but basic.

Notes and substitutions

Sweet Italian sausage is the star here—its fennel and garlic notes pair perfectly with the sun-dried tomatoes and creamy cheese. If you prefer a bit of heat, use hot Italian sausage.

For a lighter option, ground turkey sausage works, but you'll lose some richness. Potato gnocchi are the classic choice; they hold up well in the slow cooker and stay tender. Sun-dried tomatoes (julienned) add a tangy, concentrated flavor that brightens the dish.

A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal for this recipe, giving everything room to cook evenly. Use full-fat cream cheese and whole-milk mozzarella for the creamiest, most decadent result. Low-fat versions can turn grainy. Chicken broth adds just enough liquid to cook the gnocchi; vegetable broth is a fine substitute. This recipe is forgiving—feel free to adjust the amount of sun-dried tomatoes to taste.

• sweet Italian pork sausage: Use hot Italian sausage for a spicy kick, or ground turkey sausage for a leaner option.
• potato gnocchi: Substitute with shelf-stable gnocchi or even tortellini; adjust cooking time if using fresh pasta.
• chicken broth: Use vegetable broth to keep it vegetarian, or water with a pinch of salt.
• cream cheese: Mascarpone or a dairy-free cream cheese alternative work well.

Equipment

• 6-quart slow cooker
• Large skillet
• Spatula
• Measuring cups
• Serving spoon