Venison Italian Sausage and Gnocchi Bake
- How to Make Fish Cakes with Rough Fish - May 29, 2026
- Walleye and Tomatillo Soup - February 4, 2026
- Slow Cooker Hasenpfeffer (Rabbit Stew) - January 7, 2026
A lot of the thoughts and ideas that people have about firemen and life at the firehouse are typically not true or are extremely exaggerated. For the most part, firemen across America aren’t constantly running into burning buildings, getting cats out of trees, or nearly escaping explosions. But, one thing that is true is that firemen typically know how to cook some good meals. This is a recipe that was first introduced to me at the firehouse. I was working overtime at a different station with some guys that I don’t normally work with. That’s one fun part about working at a different station. Much like visiting a different country, you get introduced to some new recipes or meals that your crew doesn’t typically eat. Anyways, that night, we had an incredible one dish Italian meatball and gnocchi recipe. It was delicious, and when I learned how easy it was to make, I had to get the recipe. They were kind enough to share it with me and from there, I made it my own by changing the meat to venison Italian sausage and also adding and taking away a few ingredients from their recipe.
When we make this recipe at home, we enjoy using our homemade pesto and homegrown shiitake mushrooms from an inoculated log. That being said, you can always buy these items at the store. Not only is this a great recipe to make at home, but because of how easy it is, I’ve also been known to make it at a few hunt camps over the years. It doesn’t get much easier than throwing everything in one pan, covering it and baking it. Not to mention that at hunt camps, I’ll prepare it in single use aluminum pans and then simply toss them once the meal is done. This one is a crowd pleaser and is also a great way to introduce someone to game meat who may be afraid to try it.
Serving Size: 4 Servings
Time to Make: 1 hour
Also Works With: Any Italian sausage game meat
Looking for more venison sausage recipes? Try out Jeff Benda’s Deer Sausage Quiche!
Listen to our Podcast
Apple Podcasts, Google, Spotify, Amazon Music
Try our Delicious Wild Fish and Game Spice Blends!
Venison Italian Sausage and Gnocchi Bake
4
servings15
minutes45
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
10 oz cherry tomatoes cut in half
5 oz baby spinach
16 oz ready-to-cook gnocchi
⅔ cup basil pesto
½ cup mascarpone cheese
2 tbsp capers
½ cup chopped kalamata olives
10 oz chopped shiitake mushrooms
venison Italian sausage cut into half inch slices
1 tsp crushed red pepper
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp oregano
2 tbsp water
1/4 lb fresh mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Wash cherry tomatoes and baby spinach.
- Place tomatoes, baby spinach, gnocchi, pesto, mascarpone cheese, capers, kalamata olives,mushrooms, venison italian sausage and spices in a large mixing bowl, stir to combine all ingredients and then transfer to a casserole dish.
- Pour in 2 tablespoons of water and then cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in the oven. Bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove the dish from the oven and uncover. Top the tray with fresh mozzarella cheese that is torn into bite sized pieces.
- Return the tray to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for several minutes.
- Serve with fresh parmesan garnished on top.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @harvestingnature on Instagram and hashtag it with #harvestingnature
Like this recipe?
Follow @harvestingnature on Pinterest
Join our Facebook Group!
Join Harvesting Nature’s Facebook group Harvesting Nature – The Group
