Sheet Pan Hot Honey Sausage and Gnocchi
This easy sheet pan sausage and gnocchi combines apple chicken sausage, crispy gnocchi, broccolini, feta and hot honey for a flavorful one-pan dinner.
Creator: Leslie Stokes
This Sheet Pan Hot Honey Sausage and Gnocchi is one of those easy dinners that checks every box: minimal prep, one pan, plenty of protein and SO much flavor. Crispy gnocchi, apple chicken sausage, roasted broccolini and red onion are topped with feta cheese and baked until everything is golden and the feta gets bubbly and crispy. Then the whole sheet pan gets finished with a generous drizzle of hot honey.
And the best part? You don’t even have to boil the gnocchi first.
Everything goes straight onto the sheet pan and into the oven, making this exactly the kind of dinner I want on a busy weeknight.
The apple chicken sausage is my favorite for this recipe because that little bit of sweetness works so well with the salty feta and spicy-sweet hot honey. It’s simple, cozy without being too heavy and ready in about 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Sheet Pan Sausage and Gnocchi
I will always love a dinner that doesn’t require me to stand over the stove, and this one couldn’t be much easier.
You throw everything onto one sheet pan, season it, toss it together and let the oven do the work.
Here’s why this one is going into our regular dinner rotation:
- One sheet pan means minimal cleanup.
- The gnocchi goes onto the pan straight from the package—no boiling required.
- Apple chicken sausage adds protein and a sweet-savory flavor.
- Broccolini gets crispy around the edges while staying tender.
- Feta becomes golden, bubbly and slightly crispy in the oven.
- Hot honey brings everything together with the perfect sweet and spicy finish.
- It’s ready in about 30 minutes.
- You can easily swap the vegetables or sausage depending on what you have.
This is also one of those meals that looks like you did a lot more work than you actually did—which is always a win.
Why You Don’t Need to Boil Gnocchi for a Sheet Pan Dinner
This might be my favorite part of the entire recipe.
Normally, gnocchi gets dropped into boiling water and cooked until it floats. But for a sheet pan dinner, you can skip that step completely.
When shelf-stable gnocchi roasts with olive oil, it gets golden and slightly crisp on the outside while remaining soft and chewy inside.
Not only does it taste delicious, but you’re eliminating an entire pot—and an entire cooking step.
Just make sure the gnocchi is well coated in olive oil and spread out across the pan so it has a chance to roast.
Why Apple Chicken Sausage Works So Well
You can technically use any fully cooked chicken sausage you like, but I really recommend apple chicken sausage for this recipe.
It’s slightly sweet without making the dinner taste sweet.
Once it roasts, the edges caramelize and that apple flavor pairs perfectly with the roasted onion and salty feta. Then the hot honey ties everything together with just enough heat.
It’s that sweet + salty + spicy combination that makes such a simple sheet pan dinner taste so good.
Easy Substitutions
One of the best things about this chicken sausage and gnocchi sheet pan dinner is how easy it is to change.
Chicken sausage: Apple chicken sausage is my favorite, but garlic, Italian or spinach feta chicken sausage would work too.
Broccolini: Substitute broccoli florets, Brussels sprouts, green beans or asparagus. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the vegetable.
Feta: Goat cheese would give you a similar tangy flavor, although it won’t get quite as crispy.
Red onion: Yellow onion or shallots will work in a pinch.
Hot honey: If you don’t have hot honey, drizzle regular honey over the finished sheet pan and add red pepper flakes.
Can I Add More Vegetables?
Absolutely, but don’t overload the pan.
Mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers or zucchini would all work, but if you’re adding a significant amount of extra vegetables, I recommend dividing everything between two sheet pans.
The more crowded the pan gets, the less crispy your gnocchi will be.
Is This Sheet Pan Gnocchi Spicy?
That depends almost entirely on your hot honey.
The rest of the recipe is very mild and family-friendly. If you’re serving kids or anyone who doesn’t like much heat, you can drizzle regular honey over their portion and use hot honey on the rest.
You can also serve the hot honey on the side and let everyone add their own.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover sheet pan sausage and gnocchi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Because gnocchi softens as it sits, I prefer reheating leftovers in the oven or air fryer rather than the microwave.
Reheat at 375–400°F until everything is warmed through and the gnocchi begins to crisp again.
Add another little drizzle of hot honey after reheating.
Is Sheet Pan Sausage and Gnocchi Good for Meal Prep?
Yes!
Divide the roasted gnocchi, sausage, broccolini and onion between meal-prep containers and refrigerate.
I’d personally wait to add the hot honey until after reheating so you still get that fresh sweet-and-spicy finish.
It’s an easy option for lunches because you’ve already got your protein, vegetables and carbs all in one container.
What to Serve with Sheet Pan Sausage and Gnocchi
Honestly, this is one of those dinners that doesn’t really need anything else.
You’ve got chicken sausage for protein, gnocchi for your carb and plenty of broccolini and onion.
If you want to add something, keep it simple with:
- A crisp green salad
- Garlic bread
- Arugula tossed with lemon and Parmesan
- A simple Caesar salad
But on a busy weeknight, I’m putting the sheet pan straight on the table and calling dinner done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to boil gnocchi before baking it on a sheet pan?
No. Shelf-stable gnocchi can go directly from the package onto the sheet pan. Tossing it with olive oil and roasting at high heat gives it a golden exterior and soft center without boiling.
Can I use refrigerated gnocchi?
Yes. Refrigerated gnocchi can also be roasted, although the finished texture may vary slightly depending on the brand. Keep an eye on it toward the end of the cooking time.
What kind of chicken sausage is best?
I love apple chicken sausage for this recipe. Its slight sweetness complements the salty feta and hot honey. Any fully cooked chicken sausage can be substituted.
Can I make sheet pan gnocchi ahead of time?
You can, although it’s best fresh from the oven when the gnocchi and broccolini are at their crispiest. Leftovers reheat especially well in an air fryer or hot oven.
Can I leave off the hot honey?
Of course. Regular honey is a great mild substitute, or you can leave the honey off completely. I love the sweet-and-spicy finish, though, especially with the apple chicken sausage and feta.
An Easy Sheet Pan Dinner You’ll Make Again
I feel like we’re all looking for more dinners that require less prep, fewer dishes and ingredients everyone will actually eat.
This Sheet Pan Hot Honey Sausage and Gnocchi is exactly that.
You don’t have to boil the gnocchi, you don’t need a separate pan for the sausage, and you’ve got your protein, vegetables and carbs all cooking together.
But it’s the finish that makes it—the salty, bubbly feta with sweet apple chicken sausage and that drizzle of hot honey over everything.
It’s simple enough for a weeknight but definitely doesn’t taste boring.
If you make this Sheet Pan Hot Honey Sausage and Gnocchi, tag me on Instagram @leslie_stokes_ so I can see it!
Tips for the Best Crispy Sheet Pan Gnocchi
Use a large sheet pan. If everything is packed tightly together, the ingredients will steam rather than roast.
Don’t boil the gnocchi. Add it straight from the package.
Coat everything well in olive oil. This helps the gnocchi crisp and keeps the vegetables from drying out.
Cut the sausage into thicker coins. Thin slices can dry out before the vegetables finish roasting.
Don’t chop the broccolini too small. Keeping the stalks relatively large gives you crispy florets without completely overcooking them.
Wait to add the feta. Adding it toward the end lets the other ingredients roast properly while still giving the feta enough time to get bubbly and golden.
Add the hot honey last. Drizzling it on after baking keeps its flavor fresh and prevents the sugars from burning in the oven.
I hope this dinner + meal prep helps you! Don’t forget to follow along on social media for more Meal Prep + healthy recipes!
Sheet Pan Hot Honey Sausage and Gnocchi
Ingredients
- 1 16-ounce package shelf-stable potato gnocchi
- 2 packages fully cooked apple chicken sausage sliced
- 2 bunches broccolini trimmed
- 1 large red onion cut into wedges
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 –3 tablespoons hot honey plus more to taste
Let's Make It
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Add the uncooked gnocchi directly from the package to a large sheet pan. Add the sliced apple chicken sausage, broccolini and red onion.
- Drizzle everything with olive oil and season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
- Spread everything into an even layer, leaving as much room between the ingredients as possible.
- Roast for 20–25 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the gnocchi is golden, the sausage is browned and the broccolini is tender and crispy around the edges.
- Remove the sheet pan from the oven and sprinkle the feta cheese over everything.
- Return to the oven for another 5–7 minutes, until the feta is hot, bubbly and beginning to turn golden. If desired, broil for the final 1–2 minutes for extra crispy feta.
- Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle with hot honey.
- Serve warm with additional hot honey, if desired.
Recipe Notes
- Don’t boil the gnocchi: Add shelf-stable gnocchi directly to the sheet pan. It will roast until crispy outside and soft inside.
- Use apple chicken sausage: You can use another flavor, but apple chicken sausage is my favorite because the subtle sweetness pairs so well with feta and hot honey.
- Give everything room: A crowded sheet pan will steam rather than roast. If your pan is small, divide the ingredients between two pans.
- Add feta toward the end: This gives the gnocchi and vegetables time to crisp before adding the cheese.
- Hot honey goes on last: Drizzle it over the finished dish after it comes out of the oven.
Meal Prep in 1 Hour
You can use any two of the meals in this series to get your meal prep done in just about and hour, give or take!
Having your breakfast and lunch ready for the week helps you stay on track with your nutriton, saves you time and money! I truly beleive that meal prep does not need to be over complicated, take too much time or be boring!
I always get asked- “do you ever get tired of eating the same thing all week?” and the answer is, no! Not when the food taste good! I give plenty of variety in these preps and keep it simple!
As always, thanks for being here and remember, don’t over complicate the process! Take a deep breath, you got this!
