One Pan Ease: Gnocchi Sausage Bake, April Colorado Proud Recipe of the Month

Spring in Colorado is in full swing, where the hustle of calving, branding, and early planting begins to fill the calendars of our hardworking agricultural communities. As the days grow longer and the "to-do" lists even longer, finding a meal that is both deeply satisfying and incredibly efficient is essential.

Our April Colorado Proud recipe of the month-an easy Gnocchi Sausage Bake-is designed exactly for these moments. By using shelf-stable or fresh gnocchi and flavorful cooked sausage, you can skip the boiling water entirely and let the oven do the heavy lifting, taking you from prep to table in about 30 minutes.

This dish is a delicious way to support Colorado's vibrant agricultural industry on a few levels, between cheese, sausage, pasta, and veggie toppings it can all be from right here at home. It's a choice that tastes good and does good for the state we call home. Pappardelle's pasta , Polidori Sausage , Mesa Winds Winery , and Fresca Naturales are just a few local companies that can complete this local dish for you.

Polidori Sausage celebrated 100 years in 2025! What started as a butcher shop in Denver has grown into the United States oldest family owned Italian sausage company. We talk with the family in our Cultivation Station podcast to learn about their history and success.

Looking for local mozzarella cheese? Leprino Foods , located right here in Colorado, is the world's largest producer of mozzarella cheese, and many brands you see in the store are supplied by this local powerhouse.

Whether you're rushing between school sports, community meetings, or long hours in the field, this bake is the ultimate "salvation meal." It's a one-pan wonder that minimizes cleanup and maximizes flavor, ensuring that even during the busiest April weeks, you can still enjoy a wholesome, locally-sourced meal.

Find Colorado producers through the Colorado Proud Product Finder to connect with producers nearby and look for the Colorado Proud label at your grocery store to buy local.

Shared by Sara Martinez

Yield: 4 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25-35 Minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb shelf-stable gnocchi, try locally made Pappardelle's gnocchi
• 12-14 oz sausage links, sliced and cooked, try Polidori Sausage
• 1½ cups spinach artichoke dip, try making your own with this premade mix from Market at 39 North
• ½ cup milk or heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella, divided
• ⅓ cup grated parmesan, divided
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Spinach (sprinkle some on top if you want to add some green)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F, spray the baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Add gnocchi, cooked sausage, spinach artichoke dip, milk, ½ the mozzarella, ½ the parmesan, and seasonings to a baking dish.
3. Stir until everything is coated.
4. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
5. Remove foil, stir once, then top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
6. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden.
7. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
8. Add veggie toppings if you desire.

Pairing Perfection

A wine we suggest to enjoy with this easy meal is Mesa Winds Petit Verdot 2023 . This wine has notes of blackberry and black cherry. Light bourbon barrel aging lends subtle notes of vanilla spice and caramel.

Looking for a non-alcoholic beverage option? Try Frescos Naturales made with just three ingredients: water, fruit/grains/seeds or flowers, and just a tad of sugar. They offer delicious flavors like Rosa de Jamaica, a traditional Guatemalan refreshment made of hibiscus flowers, or Tamarindo, an earthy-sweet tamarind flavor with invigorating acidity and a smooth cool. They offer six flavors in total and have a sample pack.

Visit ColoradoProud.com for more recipes.