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Autumn might be my favorite season, and this Gnocchi with Sausage and Fall Vegetables is every reason why on one sheet pan! It’s a super simple dinner and cleanup takes only minutes. Potato gnocchi, savory smoked sausage, earthy Brussels sprouts, sweet carrots, and red onion are tossed with smoked paprika, thyme, garlic powder, and a little oil, then roasted until golden and caramelized. A sprinkle of fresh Parmesan finishes everything off with just the right amount of cheesy flavor. But the part I love most? This is a FULL MEAL with protein, carbs, and plenty of veggies, all made on one sheet pan in just five simple steps!

Overhead view of gnocchi with sausage and fall vegetables on a sheet pan.

A Full Fall Dinner on One Sheet Pan

If you made my gnocchi and spring vegetables earlier this year, think of this sheet pan meal as its cozy fall cousin. Instead of boiling the gnocchi, it roasts with smoked sausage and fresh vegetables, so the gnocchi gets golden and a little crisp around the edges as the veggies caramelize. I use the same simple sheet pan approach I like in our roasted sausage and vegetables recipe, but adding gnocchi turns it into an even heartier all-in-one dinner.

The thing with sheet pan dinners is that everything has to finish cooking at roughly the same time. This can get a bit tricky when you’ve got gnocchi, sausage, and a pile of vegetables all sharing the same pan. But don’t worry, I handled all the guesswork for you! I roast everything at 450°F so the carrots and Brussels sprouts have enough time to get tender and caramelized, and the gnocchi gets nicely golden at the same time. And as much as I love fresh herbs, dried thyme is the better choice here because it can handle that high heat without burning. When it’s done, everything is browned, smoky, and ready for a generous shower of Parmesan. Now that’s what I call an easy weeknight dinner!

Recipe Success Tips

  1. Don’t boil the gnocchi first. You can use homemade gnocchi if you’ve got the time, but I like to grab a package of shelf-stable gnocchi to keep things extra easy. I add it straight to the sheet pan without boiling. In the oven, the outside gets chewy with lightly crisp edges, and the inside stays tender.
  2. Your sheet pan will look pretty full. Try to arrange everything in a single layer, but don’t worry if you can’t get it completely even. The steam released by the vegetables helps the gnocchi cook, and the pieces exposed to the hot oven will still get roasted.
  3. Keep the vegetable pieces fairly consistent in size. I trim the tough ends from the Brussels sprouts and halve them, slice the carrots into rounds about ½-inch thick, and cut the red onion into chunky slices about ½ inch thick. That way, the carrots have time to soften without the onion getting too dark before everything else is ready. See my step photos below for a visual reference!
  4. Check the vegetables for doneness first. I look for fork-tender carrots and Brussels sprouts, hot sausage with browned edges, and gnocchi that looks plump with golden spots (this takes about 30-35 minutes in my oven).
  5. Also, feel free to season with whatever you’d like! I leaned into fall vibes with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. I think most dried herbs, onion powder, red pepper flakes, or warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, clove, allspice, etc., would be great too.
A woman making sheet pan gnocchi in a kitchen.
Melissa Nolan serving her gnocchi with sausage and fall vegetables dinner in our Nashville test kitchen!

Budget-Saving Tips

The veggies are where you could make the most cost savings in this recipe! I think the Brussels sprouts, carrots, and red onion are perfect here, but use what you already have or whatever vegetables are priced well that week. Potatoes, butternut or acorn squash, parsnips, turnips, and beets can all handle the full roasting time. Sweet potatoes are another great option, and they’re especially good roasted alongside sausage, like in our sheet pan chicken sausage dinner.

And definitely check your fridge for any veggies that are about to go bad! Quicker-cooking vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, and summer squash should go onto the pan halfway through cooking so they don’t burn or turn too soft. Options like zucchini and tomatoes will release some moisture as they roast, so keep high-water vegetables to a minimum to stop everything getting watery.

Overhead view of gnocchi with sausage and fall vegetables on a sheet pan.
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Gnocchi with Sausage and Fall Vegetables

Gnocchi with Sausage and Fall Vegetables is an easy sheet pan dinner with roasted gnocchi, smoky sausage, caramelized veggies, and Parmesan cheese!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $12.31 recipe / $3.08 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 4 servings (2 cups each)
Calories 675kcal

Equipment

  • 15×12 Sheet Pan
  • 1 Large Bowl

Ingredients

  • 16 oz potato gnocchi uncooked, $2.82*
  • 1 lb. Brussels sprouts tipped and halved, $3.46
  • 1 red onion medium sliced, (2 cups) $1.18
  • 3 carrots peeled and chopped, (about 2 cups) $0.48
  • 14 oz. smoked sausage sliced, $2.97**
  • 2 Tbsp vegetable oil $0.08
  • 1 tsp salt $0.04
  • ½ tsp black pepper freshly cracked, $0.08
  • 1 tsp garlic powder $0.08
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika $0.08
  • 1 tsp dried thyme $0.12
  • ½ cup fresh Parmesan cheese grated, $0.92***

Instructions

  • Gather all ingredients and preheat the oven to 450°F.
  • Place the potato gnocchi, cut Brussels sprouts, sliced red onions, carrots, and sliced sausage in a large bowl. Drizzle in the vegetable oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dried thyme.
  • Using a rubber spatula, fold all ingredients to coat and lay them flat on a lined sheet pan.
  • Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and cook for 30-35 minutes.
  • Divide the gnocchi, sausage, and vegetables into 4 bowls and evenly top with fresh Parmesan, then enjoy.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*I use shelf-stable potato gnocchi for this recipe because it can go straight onto the sheet pan without boiling first and holds up well to roasting. Homemade gnocchi also works, but it may turn out a little softer. Don’t boil the gnocchi first!
**Smoked sausage is already fully cooked. It’s also my favorite for this recipe because it brings plenty of savory, smoky flavor without using a bunch of extra seasoning. Kielbasa, beef sausage, turkey sausage, chicken sausage, or andouille will also work. Make sure whatever sausage you choose is already fully cooked.
***I finish this dish with freshly grated Parmesan for a little melt over the hot gnocchi and vegetables. It tastes fresher and melts better than shelf-stable shaker Parmesan here. Mozzarella, provolone, or goat cheese would also be delicious.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (2 cups) | Calories: 675kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 38g | Sodium: 2069mg | Fiber: 9g

how to make Gnocchi with Sausage and Fall Vegetables step-by-step photos

The ingredients to make gnocchi with sausage and fall vegetables with labels.

Gather all of your ingredients and preheat the oven to 450°F. Also, line a 15×12-inch sheet pan and set it aside for now.

Sliced carrots, Brussels sprouts and red onion on a sheet pan.

Prep the vegetables: Trim the tough ends from 1 lb. Brussels sprouts and cut each sprout in half. Peel 3 carrots and slice them into roughly ½-inch rounds. Cut 1 medium red onion into chunky, roughly ½-inch slices. Slice 14 oz. smoked sausage into rounds about ½ inch thick.

Sliced sausage, brussels sprouts, carrots and red onions in a bowl with seasonings.

Season everything: Add 16 oz. potato gnocchi, 1 lb. halved Brussels sprouts, 3 sliced carrots, 1 sliced red onion, and 14 oz. sliced smoked sausage to a large bowl. There’s no need to boil the gnocchi first! Drizzle with 2 Tbsp vegetable oil, then add 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp dried thyme. Fold everything together until the vegetables, sausage, and gnocchi are evenly coated in the oil and seasonings.

gnocchi with sausage, red onion, carrots and brussels sprouts on a sheet pan.

Fill the sheet pan: Transfer everything to the prepared sheet pan and arrange it in as much of a single layer as possible. The pan will look fairly full.

Freshly baked gnocchi with sausage and fall vegetables on a sheet pan out of the oven.

Cook in the oven: Bake for 30-35 minutes. There’s no need to stir halfway through. It’s ready when the carrots and Brussels sprouts are fork-tender, the sausage is hot with browned edges, and the gnocchi looks plump with lightly roasted spots.

A sheet pan of gnocchi with sausage and fall vegetables sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

Add the Parmesan: Divide the roasted gnocchi, sausage, and vegetables between 4 bowls, about 2 cups per serving. Finish each bowl with some of the ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan (or sprinkle it directly over the sheet pan, as shown here), then serve while everything is hot. Enjoy!

Side view of gnocchi with sausage and fall vegetables in a bowl.

What to Serve with Sheet Pan Gnocchi

Between the gnocchi, smoked sausage, and roasted vegetables, this sheet pan has dinner pretty well covered. But if I wanted something extra on the table, I’d probably go with a really simple salad, like our wilted spinach salad. It only takes about 20 minutes to make and feeds four people, so the timing works nicely with this recipe. To really round out the fall dinner, our butternut squash salad or kale salad are also beautiful, lighter sides that work really well with these cozy fall flavors.

And if you want to keep things REALLY easy but still add an extra veggie, you could use whatever you’ve already got hanging out in the freezer. Some steamed green beans or peas that you can quickly ping in the microwave are simple and budget-friendly, too!

Storage & Reheating

This gnocchi sheet pan is definitely at its best straight from the oven, when the gnocchi is still crisp, and the vegetables are nicely roasted. But leftovers are still great! Let everything cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Just keep in mind the carrots and Brussels sprouts will soften as they sit, and the gnocchi will lose some of its crispness.

Reheating

For the best texture, I like to spread the leftovers back onto a sheet pan and warm them in a 375°F oven until heated through. For a single serving, the microwave is perfectly fine and much quicker, but the gnocchi and vegetables will be softer.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this one. Freezing and thawing changes the texture of the gnocchi, and the roasted vegetables can become quite soft and watery.

Other Gnocchi Recipes to Try

  • If you’ve got a little extra time, I highly recommend making my Potato Gnocchi from scratch. It’s soft, pillowy, and made with just five simple ingredients.
  • For a creamier way to use gnocchi, Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi pairs it with tender chicken, spinach, and a rich sauce for a cozy weeknight dinner!
  • Our Cheesy Gnocchi Skillet is another easy weeknight option, with tender gnocchi and plenty of melty cheese ready in less than 30 minutes.
  • When soup season rolls around, I also love turning gnocchi into a bowl of Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup, with chicken, vegetables, and a creamy broth.

The post Gnocchi with Sausage and Fall Vegetables appeared first on Budget Bytes.



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These classic Chicken Tenders are baked, not fried, so they’re easy to make, lighter, and still incredibly satisfying. They come out super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and are made with simple pantry ingredients I almost always have on hand. I bake a batch, portion, and freeze them, then reheat them in the oven or air fryer for an easy lunch or dinner! At only $1.76 per serving, they’re an affordable homemade option (with no mystery ingredients!) that fits easily into my grocery budget.

Overhead view of a plate of classic chicken tenders.

Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Tenders

For this chicken tenders recipe, I borrowed the plain Greek yogurt method from our homemade chicken nuggets because I already knew how well it helps the breading stick without the usual flour-and-egg setup. I thin the yogurt with a little water, then press each tender into seasoned panko. I also toast the panko before breading the chicken. This gives the crumbs a head start on browning in the oven so the coating comes out deeply golden and crispy without frying!

And lately, having an easy batch of chicken tenders ready to go has been especially helpful. My daughter isn’t a picky eater (thankfully!), but when it comes to chicken, she’s firmly Team White Meat. With her starting a new school and our days feeling a little more chaotic, meal prep has become my saving grace. I’ve been buying meat in bulk whenever I spot a good deal, and I managed to score chicken tenders at a great price. I didn’t realize until recently that three chicken strips at Chick-fil-A can run $5 to $6. This recipe makes about three times as many for around the same cost, so making a batch for the freezer is an easy decision!

Recipes Success Tips

  1. Let the extra yogurt drip off first. The Greek yogurt gives the panko something to stick to, and its mild acidity also helps soften the surface of the chicken as you prep the breadcrumbs. But you don’t want a thick layer going into the breadcrumbs. I let the excess drip back into the bowl before breading each tender so the panko doesn’t become too wet and pasty (which can affect browning and crispness).
  2. Don’t take your eyes off the panko. I start checking the breadcrumbs after 2 minutes because they can brown fast. Pull them once they’re lightly golden, even if the color isn’t perfectly even. They’ll continue to darken once you bake the chicken.
  3. Press the panko on firmly. I always press the panko onto both sides of each tender so it really sticks to the yogurt coating. A little pressure here helps give you a fuller, more even crust and keeps more of those crispy crumbs on the chicken instead of on the bottom of the pan.
  4. Give the chicken some room. Arrange them in a single layer without overlapping or crowding the pan. Leaving space around each one lets the hot oven air reach more of the coating, which helps the panko get perfectly crisp in the oven.
  5. Check the smaller pieces first. Chicken tenderloins aren’t always the same thickness, so I don’t rely on the timer alone. If your package has a mix of sizes, start checking the thinner pieces early and pull them when they reach 165°F in the thickest part. The finished coating should be crisp and browned, with opaque, fully cooked chicken inside!
  6. Change up the seasoning! The garlic and onion powder keep these chicken tenders simple and versatile, but the panko is easy to customize. For a spicier batch, try swapping in some Nashville hot seasoning or use lemon pepper, smoked paprika, or Italian seasoning instead. Adjust the added salt if your seasoning blend already contains it.

How to Serve Chicken Tenders

When I serve these to my family, I usually count ~2 tenders as one serving (about ¼ lb. of chicken each). It’s also really easy to scale the recipe up for a bigger family or for meal prep. Adjust the number of servings in the recipe card below and the ingredient amounts will update automatically. If you’re doubling the recipe, I’d cook them in batches so the sheet pan doesn’t get overcrowded!

I almost always put out a dipping sauce with chicken tenders, and our honey mustard sauce is usually the first one I reach for because the sweet, tangy flavor works great with the savory chicken. Homemade ranch dressing is another easy option, especially if I’m serving raw veggies alongside because it can do double duty as a dip. Or for a classic chicken-and-fries dinner, I’ll add some air fryer French fries so I’m not trying to fit another sheet pan in the oven at the same time. And when I want to make dinner a little heartier, homemade mac and cheese makes the meal feel extra cozy!

A hand dipping half a chicken tender in honey mustard sauce.

More Serving Ideas

  • Make a chicken tender sandwich: Tuck a couple of tenders into a soft bun with lettuce, pickles, and whichever sauce you’re already using for dipping. It’s an easy way to turn the same batch into a completely different lunch the next day.
  • Turn them into a salad: Slice the warm tenders over my Caesar slaw for a crunchy, creamy meal that still feels fresh. This is also a great use for reheated tenders because the slaw brings plenty of texture even if the breading has softened a little!
  • Keep it simple for the kids: I’ll sometimes just add fruit or raw veggies on the side and let everyone choose their own dipping sauce. It keeps dinner easy without making a separate meal.
Overhead view of a cabbage caesar chicken salad in a bowl.
My Caesar slaw is a delicious way to serve this crispy chicken!
Overhead view of a plate of classic chicken tenders.
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Chicken Tenders

These easy Chicken Tenders are oven baked with a crisp panko coating and tender chicken inside, perfect for busy lunches, dinners, or meal prep.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $7.03 recipe / $1.76 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4 servings (2 tenders each)
Calories 307kcal
Author Jess Rice

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. chicken tenders $5.66*
  • cup plain Greek yogurt $0.33**
  • ¼ tsp salt $0.01
  • 3 Tbsp water $0.00
  • cups panko breadcrumbs $0.82***
  • ½ tsp onion powder $0.03
  • ½ tsp garlic powder $0.03
  • ¼ tsp salt $0.01
  • tsp black pepper freshly cracked, $0.02
  • 2 Tbsp neutral oil $0.12****

Instructions

  • Gather ingredients. Preheat oven to 400℉.
  • Add the chicken, Greek yogurt, salt, and water to a bowl.
  • Mix to combine. Cover the marinating chicken and refrigerate.
  • In a medium-size mixing bowl, mix together panko, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and neutral oil.
  • Spread the panko out on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Toast them for 2-5 minutes in the oven until golden brown. It’s ok if the panko varies in color, toasting them before breading helps make these chicken tenders extra crispy, but they will continue to brown on the chicken during the baking process. Set a timer for 2 minutes to start with and check them! The panko can burn fast!
  • Transfer the toasted panko back to the mixing bowl you used to add the seasonings. One at a time, using your hands or tongs, toss the marinated chicken tenders in the toasted panko mixture, pressing it into the panko to make sure they are thoroughly covered on both sides.
  • Transfer each breaded chicken tender to a parchment-lined baking sheet. (You can use the same parchment and baking sheet you toasted the panko crumbs on.)
  • Bake the chicken tenders in the oven for 30 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Make sure they reach the minimum internal temperature of 165℉.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*The package of chicken tenders I bought at Walmart was $4.92/lb. My package was just over 1 lb, with 9 big tenders. This recipe will typically yield 8-9 tenders, depending on how many are in your package.
**If you don’t have plain Greek yogurt, feel free to use regular plain yogurt! I’d use less water and add only enough to thin it so it easily coats the chicken. See my step-by-step photos below for the consistency you’re looking for.
***I prefer panko because the crumbs are larger and lighter than regular breadcrumbs, so they bake up crispier. Regular breadcrumbs will work, but the coating will be finer and less crunchy.
****Neutral oil just means an oil with a mild flavor so it won’t compete with the seasoning in the panko. Canola, vegetable, grapeseed, or refined avocado oil are all good options here. I’d use whichever one you already have or whichever fits your grocery budget best.
Try the air fryer: Using our air fryer chicken tenders as a guide, cook them at 400°F for about 13 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the thickest piece reaches 165°F. Cook in batches so they don’t overlap.
These chicken tenders contain gluten from the panko and dairy from the Greek yogurt. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free panko or breadcrumbs. To make them dairy-free, use a plain dairy-free yogurt instead. Since dairy-free yogurts can vary quite a bit in thickness, add the water gradually and stop once the yogurt is loose enough to coat the chicken.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tenders | Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 621mg | Fiber: 1g

how to make Chicken Tenders Step-by-Step Photos

The ingredients to make oven baked chicken tenders with labels.

Gather all of your ingredients and preheat the oven to 400°F. Also, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Chicken tenders, yogurt, water and salt in a mixing bowl.

Coat the chicken: Add 1 lb. chicken tenders, ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt, ¼ tsp salt, and 3 Tbsp water to a medium bowl.

Chicken tenders in a bowl with yogurt and water.

Toss until every piece of chicken is evenly coated in the thinned yogurt mixture. Cover and refrigerate the chicken while you prepare the breadcrumbs.

Oil being poured into a bowl of breadcrumbs and seasonings.

Season the panko: In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1¾ cups panko breadcrumbs, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp salt, ⅛ tsp freshly cracked black pepper, and 2 Tbsp neutral oil. Mix well so the seasonings and oil are evenly distributed throughout the crumbs.

Seasoned breadcrumbs on a baking sheet before toasting.

Toast the panko: Pour the seasoned panko onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it out into an even layer so it can toast evenly.

Toasted breadcrumbs on a baking sheet.

Bake the breadcrumbs for 2-5 minutes, until lightly golden. Some variation in color is totally fine because the panko will continue browning once it’s on the chicken. Start checking at 2 minutes and keep a close eye on it from there because panko can burn quickly.

A chicken tender being tossed in toasted breadcrumbs in a bowl.

Bread the chicken: Transfer the toasted panko back to the mixing bowl. Working with one tender at a time, lift the chicken from the yogurt mixture and let the excess coating drip back into the bowl. Toss each tender in the toasted panko, then press the crumbs firmly onto both sides so the chicken is thoroughly coated.

Chicken tenders on a baking sheet before baking.

Bake the chicken: Place each breaded chicken tender back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure they’re in an even layer and don’t overlap so they bake evenly. You can reuse the same parchment and pan you used to toast the breadcrumbs.

Chicken tenders after cooking on a baking sheet.

Bake the tenders at 400°F for 30 minutes, flipping each piece halfway through so both sides can brown. The coating should be crisp and browned when the tenders are ready. Check the thickest piece with a meat thermometer and make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving. Serve and enjoy!

Side view of chicken tenders on a plate, with one of them split in half.

Storage & Reheating

These chicken tenders are definitely crispiest straight from the oven, but leftovers still hold up well. Let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Reheating

I find the best way to bring back some of the crunch is in the oven or air fryer. Bake them at 400°F for about 8-10 minutes, or air fry at 400°F for about 4-6 minutes, until heated through and crispy again. Start checking early, especially with smaller tenders, so the chicken doesn’t dry out while you’re reheating.

Freezing

These are great for stashing in the freezer, which is one of the main reasons I like making a double batch! Let the baked tenders cool completely, then arrange them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Flash freezing first keeps the tenders from sticking together. You can reheat them straight from frozen in the oven or air fryer.

Try These Chicken Tender Recipes Next!

  • Prefer using the air fryer? These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders use a mix of regular breadcrumbs and panko and cook in about 13 minutes.
  • I love how the honey mustard does double duty in these Honey Mustard Chicken Strips. It helps the panko stick to the chicken and doubles as a sweet, tangy dipping sauce for serving.
  • If you want some heat, Sriracha Chicken Strips marinate the chicken in Sriracha, ginger, and garlic before coating it in panko and baking until crunchy.
  • Another fun variation I’d recommend is our Coconut Chicken Strips. The coating mixes panko with sweetened coconut, and the sweet chili sauce gives the whole thing a completely different flavor direction.

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