1-Getting started: Begin by prepping your ingredients: slice 1 pound of Italian chicken sausage into bite-sized pieces and have your 1-pound package of potato gnocchi ready to go. This recipe uses 2 tablespoons of olive oil divided for cooking, starting with sautéing 1 small diced white onion and 4 cloves of minced garlic along with 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.

2-Heat and cook sausage: First, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the sausage and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes, stirring to break it up.

3-Sauté aromatics and spices: Next, add the onion, garlic, tomato paste, and red pepper flakes to the pan, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.

4-Add tomatoes and simmer: Pour in the 28-ounce can of whole tomatoes with their juice, stirring everything together and bringing it to a simmer for about 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.

5-Cook gnocchi: Then, add the gnocchi directly into the sauce, stirring gently so they get coated evenly, and cook for 3-5 minutes until tender.

6-Finish and serve: Finish by mixing in 2 handfuls of fresh baby spinach and 1/2 cup of roughly chopped fresh basil leaves, seasoning with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve it warm, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and enjoy this high-protein meal that serves 4 to 6.