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Well, aren’t you glad it’s time for a little Italian?

Crockpot Tuscan Sausage and White Bean Ragu with Buttered Gnocchi | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Cause um, I SO am.

Gnocchi with ragu? Yes, please.

Crockpot Tuscan Sausage and White Bean Ragu with Buttered Gnocchi | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Am I totally annoying you now? SORRY. I have kind of been in this mood lately where I am saying weird things and acting all funny. My random texts are even better. Pretty sure my brother thinks I am going through an early twenty’s life crisis.

Pretty sure I just really like messing with him. I think it may be all these paint fumes, they are starting to get to my brain. UGH. Workers need to be done working already. Yes, yes, yes!!

Crockpot Tuscan Sausage and White Bean Ragu with Buttered Gnocchi | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

See, what I mean? It’s all just getting to me. Like my mind needs a little time without hammers and saws and paint smells. Soon though…or hopefully soon!!

Crockpot Tuscan Sausage and White Bean Ragu with Buttered Gnocchi | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Ok, so now that we have all officially witnessed my craziness let’s talk about some Italian goodness! This crockpot Tuscan sausage and white bean ragu with buttered gnocchi is definitely going to make your favorites list.

Crockpot Tuscan Sausage and White Bean Ragu with Buttered Gnocchi | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Honestly, I do not know why on earth I don’t make more dishes like this. Ragu sauces are just so good, and a giant bowl of buttered gnocchi can almost NEVER be beat. It’s incredibly cozy and delicious.

Oh and SO easy!! You do not even need to brown the sausage before adding it the crockpot. Yes, I am serious, and I promise you will not end up with a clump of sausage because instead of browning the meat, I rolled the sausage into tiny little meatballs. I do this a lot with sausage, especially when I make another recipe we all simply call Penne. Normally I would recommend browning the meat first, it just gives the meat a great caramelization, but in this case, adding the meat directly to the crockpot adds so much flavor to the sauce because all the juices drip off directly into the ragu.

Also, I totally just did not want to dirty a pan, and even worse – dirty up my new stove! What? Well, it was cold and snowing, and I believe it was also a Saturday, I just wanted to toss everything in, forget about it and go back to sleep…gosh I love cozy winter days.

Crockpot Tuscan Sausage and White Bean Ragu with Buttered Gnocchi | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Double also, I have to say a huge thank you to everyone who left a comment on my Sunday post. I have slowly been working my way through each comment and trying to respond to everyone. Sorry if you have yet to receive a response, the way my comments work is pretty wacko and it’s hard to keep track of where I left off. Anyway, I just wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone, in case I missed ya. Your kind words and your tips all put a big smile on my face.

I feel a whole lot less embarrassed now, just excited to slowly make this place my own and show you guys what I come up with along the way! So thanks again!

Anyway, this ragu is perfect for a busy weekday or even a casual Saturday night of entertaining. I would definitely grab some extra crusty bread to mop up all that extra sauce. I’d also load up on the parmesan because, well that’s just me lovin’ my cheese, and hey, it’s winter and cheese just makes a dish that much cozier.

And even though I love gnocchi and highly recommend you use it, you can also use pasta. I think the gnocchi is spot on perfect here, but if you’re not a big gnocchi fan, like my dad (are you guys crazy?!?), or you just don’t have gnocchi on hand, any cut of pasta, or even a creamy polenta (YUM!), would work awesome.

Crockpot Tuscan Sausage and White Bean Ragu with Buttered Gnocchi | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Crockpot Tuscan Sausage and White Bean Ragu with Buttered Gnocchi.

Author: Tieghan Gerard
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 6 SERVINGS
Calories Per Serving: 602 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 of a sweet onion finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced or grated
  • 2 (28 ounce) cans whole san marzano tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 leaves bay
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and pepper
  • 1 pound ground spicy Italian sausage
  • 1 bunch Tuscan kale roughly chopped
  • 3 cups cooked white beans
  • 1 pound gnocchi
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • fresh basil and parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions

  • Using your hands, crush the tomatoes over the bowl of a 4-8 quart crockpot. Add the onion, garlic, tomato paste, red wine, dried basil, dried oregano, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Give everything a good stir.
  • Now grab the sausage and roll it into very tiny, bite size balls, adding the to the crockpot as you go. The smaller you can roll the balls, the better. Gently stir the sausage into the sauce. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours. 30 minutes before serving, stir in the kale and white beans. Crank the heat up to high, cover and cook another 20-30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cook the gnocchi according to package directions and then toss with 2 tablespoons butter and a little fresh basil + parmesan.
  • To serve, divide the gnocchi among plates or bowls. Top with the ragu and then garnish with basil and parmesan. Enjoy!
View Recipe Comments

Crockpot Tuscan Sausage and White Bean Ragu with Buttered Gnocchi | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Just promise me one thing. You will not, for any reason, skimp on the parmesan. K? GOOD. Now let’s make some ragu!

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Comments

  1. I am currently in training for a month with 6 other people. We are living out of hotel rooms and have decided to bring a more homey feel to our time away from home and cook crockpot meals! This is going on first thing in the morning so when we get back from class it is ready!! I am having to use tortellini instead of gnocchi (couldn’t find it in the store here) and also no microwave to cook pasta! Going to throw the tortellini in the crockpot for the last 20 mins!! Will let you know how it all goes!!

    Reply

  4. Welp, it seems like I’ve chosen an awful time to be going through your posts. What a lovely dish! I can seriously hear my tummy rumbling from hunger right now 🙂

    Reply

  5. Just made this last night—so delicious! I’ve been making traditional bolognese lately, so I loved seeing how the kale and white beans add such an earthiness and depth of flavor to those familiar flavors. I’m thinking of doing a baked pasta with the leftover ragu. More room for cheese! Thanks so much for the stellar recipe.

    Reply

  7. I am going to sound like a dork, but even the word “gnocchi” sounds comforting to me. This looks like a big hug in a bowl!!

    Reply

  9. Just conquered homemade gnocchi in my kitchen and on my blog, so now I have a freezer full of them! Will have to try this preparation–looks super flavorful 🙂

    Reply

  13. Yum! I don’t have a slow cooker, but I’m guessing I could just cook this on the stove in a dutch oven?

    Reply

      1. I don’t have a slow cooker either. If I use my Dutch oven on the stovetop does it affect the time and temperature or keep everything the same?

        Reply

        1. Hi! I would just simmer over low heat for for 3-6 hours. The longer, the better flavor! Stir ever couple hours to prevent sticking. Let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe. Thank you! 🙂

          Reply

  15. Perfect comforting meal for this time of year! YES! I would serve with creamy polenta, I am a sucker for polenta!

    Reply