Gnocchi Marinara with Sausage & Peppers

If a second date happens, you know it’s got potential.

In fact, it might have been love at first sight and the rest is just history waiting to happen.

If there wasn’t potential, why would you be going on the second date anyways?

Don’t answer that.

Seriously though, never go on a second date if you already know there’s no potential. You’ll just be miserable. And then you’ll be left asking yourself all the why’s and hatin’ on yourself for wasting so much time and effort.

Don’t be a hater. Be a lover.

Do you guys remember the first date? It was so kitchen-cooking-magical (…far off dreamy gaze). 

It was called Date Night Gnocchi.

We’re all things food on this blog so if you thought I was talking about dates…like with actual people, wrong blog my friend.

But since we’re on the topic, here’s my dating advice…DO NOT go on the second date if you already know it’s a no-go. An awkward no-fun second date makes me squirmy inside just thinking about it. Move on my friend.

There’s your free dating advice. I’ll be waiting for my thank-you card in the mail.

But the gnocchi YA’LL…the gnocchi is coming back for a second date! And this time it’s a little bit on the spicy side. Ooo-la-la.

It’s Date Night Gnocchi, Part 2, Chapter 2, Round 2, just get on my fork and in my mouth sequel. Or let’s just call it Gnocchi Marinara with Sausage & Peppers.

And it comes together faster than you can drop the news to the second date that there won’t be a third date. Still talking food here. Adios dinner gone wrong with whatever that was you just made…again… 

And if it is a real date you gotta end, this dinner will definitely come together faster than that conversation too. Unless you’re the kind of person that stands up suddenly and says “Gotta go! Something’s come up!” and runs out the door. In that case you just run yourself straight home, make this gnocchi, and let all its glorious flavors serenade you with its beautiful love song. The gnocchi won’t let you down.

Step 1: Cook some Italian chicken sausage with some thinly sliced onions.

Step 2: Add some peppers. Red, yellow, green. Eat the rainbow baby.

Step 3: While the sausage, onions, and peppers are doing their thing, cook the gnocchi. Only 4ish minutes for the lil’ dumplings.

Step 4: Then add your prepared sauce to the pan with the sausage and peppers and let it warm up.

Yep, that’s right my friends. Save some time and buy a jar of prepared garlic marinara at the store. There’s no shame in using prepared sauce. Save the homemade sauce for the third or fourth date. We can agree on taking the easy sauce route, right? Especially if you’re the one that just ran home from that second date gone wrong.

But do make sure to check the ingredients list on the back of the jar and buy a marinara with no sugar added. Like this one from Cucina Antica, which can be found in just about any grocery store. We don’t need added sugar in our sauce. If it means spending a little more cash for the good no-sugar-added sauce, do it. Your body will thank you and so will the gnocchi.

And now let’s return from the rabbit trail.

Step 5: Lastly, add the cooked gnocchi to the saucy mixture. Stir it up. Serve it up. And don’t forget to top it off with fresh chopped basil, freshly grated parmesan, and some ground black pepper.

Gnocchi Marinara with Sausage & Peppers, I’ll date you any night.

P.S. Just bring a bottle of red with you. ♡