MAKES 6 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS
Cooking spray - your choice of olive, canola, or vegetable oil
1 lb Amaroo Hills Sweet Italian Duck Sausage (or Mild Italian Duck Sausage)
2 tbsp non-dairy butter *
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small butternut squash, peeled and cut into ½ inch cubes (1 ½ lb or 4 cups)
3 cloves garlic, minced or 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/3 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp rubbed sage
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp ground pepper
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 lb gnocchi (shelf stable, found on pasta isle)
5 oz baby spinach
Optional: shredded parmesan and/or red pepper flakes for topping *

DIRECTIONS

1. Spray a large pan (must have a fitted lid) with non-stick vegetable oil and heat it over medium heat.
2. Add sausage to pan, breaking up meat into pieces with a spatula. Cook until the meat is no longer pink. Using a slotted spoon, move the sausage into a separate dish. Leave rendered duck fat and juices in the pan.
3. Leave the heat on medium and add butter to the pan. Allow it to melt.
4. Add the butternut squash, cover the pan, and let the squash cook for 4 minutes. Stir occasionally.
5. Add onions and put the lid back on. Allow vegetables to cook for another 5-6 minutes. Stir occasionally. 
6. Add garlic, nutmeg, rubbed sage, salt, and pepper. Cook 1 minute more.
7. Add chicken broth and gnocchi to the pan. Stir until all gnocchi have been moistened by the mixture.  Turn the heat to medium-high and cover.  Cook for approximately 8-10 minutes or until the broth is absorbed and the squash is soft. Stir occasionally.
8. Stir in the cooked sausage. Add spinach in handfuls, tossing it into the mixture just until it begins to wilt.
9. Remove the dish from the burner and serve!
10. Top individual portions with shredded parmesan and red pepper flakes, if desired.

*Non-dairy Butter Alternatives: 

• Earth Balance - vegan butter, found @ Walmart, Publix, Kroger, Target, and Amazon
• I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter It’s Vegan - found @ Walmart, Publix, and Harris Teeter
• Crock Country Plant Butter - found @ Walmart, Publix, Kroger, Target, and Harris Teeter

*Alternative Vegan Parmesan 

• Follow Your Heart Dairy Free Parmesan Style Shredded Cheese Alternative - found @ Publix, Harris Teeter, and Wegmans
• Go Veggie Grated Parmesan Style Topping - found @ Walmart, Amazon, Wegmans, and HEB Fresh Foods