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Home » Recipes » Meat Pasta Recipes

Published: Sep 16, 2021 by Jacqui

Sardinian Gnocchi-Malloreddus with sausage, tomatoes & saffron.


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Malloreddus alla Campidanese.

Sadly I have never been to Sardinia! It’s on my bucket list. However, I've recently been making a number of Sardinian pasta recipes. This week I brought a little Sardinian touch to my kitchen with this Sardinian gnocchi-malloreddus with sausage recipe. In Italian, it’s known as ‘alla Campidanese’ after the Sardinian province of Campidano, where it originally comes from.

Sardinian gnocchi-malloreddus with sausage, tomato and saffron alla campidanese

What is malloreddus pasta?

Malloreddus, also called gnocchetti sardi or ‘little Sardinian gnocchi’ is a typical pasta from Sardinia. Many Italians call it Sardinian gnocchi because of the shape. It really looks like tiny potato gnocchi. But it is actually a pasta made of durum wheat semolina flour, water and salt. However, the same technique to make it is the same as gnocchi.

Malloreddus alla campidanese

When homemade, malloreddus sometimes has a pinch of ground saffron in the dough which gives the pasta gnocchi a slightly yellow colour. To get the characteristic shape, Sardinians traditionally hand-roll the pieces of dough on a round reed basket. However, nowadays most people use a small wooden board that is very similar to a gnocchi board, which you can also use instead. I do! You can read more about this Sardinain pasta on my malloreddus post.

Ingredients for sausage, tomato and saffron sauce for malloreddus alla campidanese
Step 1 Gather your ingredients.

What are the ingredients for alla campidanese sauce?

This malloreddus with sausage, tomatoes and saffron alla campidanese recipe is probably the most well-known way to serve these Sardinian pasta gnocchi. It's traditional in Sardinia on special occasions and holidays. Plus, you can find it on the menu in many restaurants on the island.

It’s made with delicious pork sausage usually seasoned with fennel, saffron and fresh tomatoes . If you can’t find sausages with fennel, you can also add crushed fennel seeds to the sauce to give it a similar flavour. Alternatively, leave the fennel out if you don't like it or don't have it.

Prepared ingredients for Sardinian gnocchi-malloreddus alla campidanese
Step 2 Prepare your ingredients.

Of course, in Sardinia, the sausages, tomatoes and saffron are all local produce. I’m sure that, as with many Italian recipes, the dish eaten in the region in which it is traditional may well taste a little different to the same dish made with ingredients from other places.

Step 3 Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil. Then add the crumbled sausage meat and brown it.

Although I live in Italy, apart from the Sardinian gnocchi which are available throughout Italy, I couldn’t find Sardinian sausages, tomatoes or saffron. But, the ingredients I used were fresh and produced in Italy, plus I made the pasta myself. The result was really good and I will definitely be making this malloreddus with sausage recipe again.  I’m sure that the same is true of making this dish outside of Italy. If you can’t find Italian ingredients just go with what you can find. You’ll love it just the same!

Step 4 Add the fresh tomatoes and some basil to the pan. Once the tomatoes start to soften add the passata (if using) and the saffron. Simmer until ready.

Dried or homemade Sardinian Gnocchi?

I have made this recipe with both dried and homemade malloreddus. This time, I used homemade pasta that I had in the freezer. It was actually the first time I've used frozen homemade pasta. It was perfect. You can hardly tell the difference. So now, when I have time, I'm planning to make more Sardinian gnocchi to freeze. I think it's so cool to serve it to guests and be able to tell them you made it yourself!

Cooked Sardinian gnocchi - malloreddus added to sausage sauce in pan.
Step 5 When the sauce is ready, cook the pasta, drain it and add to the sauce.

Making your own Sardinian gnocchi is actually pretty easy. If you want to give it a try check out my homemade malloreddus with lamb broth recipe. You can use the pasta with any sauce instead of the lamb broth. In Sardinia, some people cook malloreddus in broth instead of water, but drain it and serve with this sausage sauce or another.

Freshly grated pecorino added to malloreddus and sausage sauce in pan.
Step 6 Add some freshly grated pecorino, mix everything together and serve with more pecorino and basil.

Dried Sardinian gnocchi are available outside of Italy. I think Rummo is one of the most popular and easily available brands. I often use it myself.

malloreddus with sausage, tomatoes and saffron alla campidanese

Let me know what you think.

If you try this Sardinian gnocchi-malloreddus alla campidanese recipe, do please let me know what you think by commenting here on the blog or on The Pasta Project Facebook page. Your feedback is much appreciated!

Buon Appetito!

This recipe was first published in 2017 but has been updated with new text and photos.

Have a look at my other saffron pasta recipes for more delicious recipes like this one!

Sardinian gnocchi-malloreddus with sausage, tomato and saffron alla campidanese

Other recipes from Sardinia to try.

  • Lorighittas with scampi and prawns
  • Sardinian ravioli with ricotta and saffron
  • Fregola with clams

Other sausage recipes to try.

  • Sausage rigatoni alla zozzona from Rome
  • Pasta alla Norcina from Umbria
  • Sicilian broccoli pasta with sausage and chard
  • Breadcrumb gnocchi with sausage and beans
  • Sausage and cabbage pasta

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Malloreddus (Sardinian gnocchi) alla Campidanese

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Malloreddus (Sardinian gnocchi) alla campidanese with sausage, tomato and saffron

Jacqui
This malloreddus with sausage, tomatoes and saffron alla campidanese recipe is probably the most well-known way to serve these Sardinian pasta gnocchi. It's traditional in Sardinia on special occasions and holidays. Plus, you can find it on the menu in many restaurants on the island. Fast and easy to make this dish is full of authentic Sardinian flavour!
5 from 15 votes
Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean, Sardinia
Servings 4
Calories 946 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 400 g Sardinian gnocchi - Malloreddus (14 oz) Dried or homemade
  • 500 g fresh pork sausage (1.1lbs)
  • 500 g fresh tomatoes (1.1lbs) ( I used large datterini) or passata or half fresh tomatoes and half passata
  • 100 g Pecorino cheese (3.5oz) freshly grated Pecorino Romano or Sardo
  • ½ teaspoon saffron threads or 1 sachet saffron powder
  • 1 onion peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove peeled
  • 1 handful fresh basil leaves broken into pieces (torn)
  • 2-3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • salt for pasta and to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Finely chop the onion and garlic. Remove the sausage meat from its casing and crumble into small pieces. Peel the tomatoes after blanching them in hot water and cut them into halves or quarters depending on their size. Tear the basil leaves into small pieces. If using saffron threads soak them in a small glass of warm water for 15-30 minutes first.
  • Fry the finely chopped onion and the garlic in a little olive oil until the onion starts to soften. Then add the sausage meat and brown it a little. Add the fennel seeds if using.
  • Add the pieces of tomato and ⅔ of the basil. Let the tomatoes start to soften then add the passata if using and the saffron with its water. (if you are using saffron powder then add a small glass of water and the saffron separately)
  • Stir everything together well, add salt and pepper to taste and turn the heat to low. Simmer for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  • When the sauce is half way done, put a pan of water on to boil for the pasta. Add salt once the water starts to boil. Bring to the boil again.
  • Cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the packet. (fresh pasta cooks faster that dried) save some of the cooking water and drain the pasta.
  • Mix the Malloreddus with the sauce and some of the grated pecorino. If the sauce seems too dry add some of the pasta cooking water and stir well. 
  • Serve immediately with a sprinkling of chopped basil and some extra grated cheese as required.
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Notes

If you can’t find sausages with fennel you can also add crushed fennel seeds to the sauce to give it a similar flavour.
If finding Sardinian gnocchi is a problem, you can also use cavatelli or casarecce which are very similar, or a small pasta tube such as elbow pasta. 

Nutrition

Calories: 946kcalCarbohydrates: 84gProtein: 41gFat: 49gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 116mgSodium: 1109mgPotassium: 904mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1266IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 325mgIron: 3mg
Keyword authentic Italian pasta recipe, campidanese, malloreddus, Sardinian gnocchi, Sardinian recipe, sausage pasta
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

If you are interested in learning how to make homemade pasta and different types of gnocchi, check out my shop page for some great video online courses from my friends in Rome! Nothing beats learning to make pasta from Italians! Plus while you’re there why not order a copy of one of my pasta recipe cookbooks or checkout some recommended pasta making tools?


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Reader Interactions

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Pavani Gunikuntla says

    October 02, 2021 at 4:35 pm

    This recipe looks so delicious and I love the idea of adding fennel and saffron in the dish.

    Reply
  2. Tristin says

    September 27, 2021 at 4:38 am

    Thanks so much for the tip about adding fennel to the Sardinian gnocchi, I couldn't find any sausage with fennel. My family really loved this recipe so I will be making it again soon!

    Reply
  3. Chenée says

    September 27, 2021 at 4:04 am

    I made this last night and it was such a success! All of the flavors complemented each other wonderfully, and your tips made it so easy to make!

    Reply
  4. Julia says

    September 26, 2021 at 7:48 pm

    Wow, I've only been to a Sardinian restaurant once and we LOVED the food there, I'd say the cuisine is still so rare. Although we had mainly seafood-based dishes, this gave me such great memories. Love this recipe.

    Reply
  5. Anindya S Basu says

    September 26, 2021 at 4:41 am

    This sounds yummy and worth a try. Can't wait to try this at the earliest. Thanks for the recipe and looking forward to more recipes from you.

    Reply
  6. Lathiya says

    September 25, 2021 at 9:12 am

    amazing recipe for any occasion. I love the addition of saffron. It gives a nice color and flavor to the dish.

    Reply
  7. Amy Casey says

    September 23, 2021 at 8:17 pm

    Such a delicious recipe! I loved the touch of saffron in the sauce. It added just something a little special to the dish.

    Reply
  8. Deborah says

    September 23, 2021 at 5:47 am

    This looks like a fabulous recipe for Sardinian Gnocchi. I would like to try using saffron in dishes. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  9. Heather says

    September 22, 2021 at 9:22 pm

    This is such a fun and elevated recipe for pasta night! I seriously want to dive into that sauce 🙂

    Reply
  10. Jere Cassidy says

    September 22, 2021 at 9:09 pm

    This looks like comfort food. I love how you always explain about the pasta shapes and the region they come from.

    Reply
  11. Liz says

    September 22, 2021 at 9:08 pm

    I love a good pasta recipe! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  12. Amanda Dixon says

    September 21, 2021 at 11:09 pm

    This was absolutely delicious! The gnocchi were perfectly tender and pillowy, and the saffron added such a sophisticated flavor.

    Reply
  13. Angie says

    September 21, 2021 at 8:03 pm

    I loved reading about your fascinating pasta project. And yes, it's very cool that you can serve Sardinian gnocchi to your guests and say you made it yourself. Gnocchi and sausage with saffron and fennel (love those flavors!) along with the other ingredients in your recipe sounds so good. I've saved your recipe to make for my aunt and Italian uncle.

    Reply
  14. Nicoletta De Angelis says

    September 21, 2021 at 4:32 pm

    I remember having them in Sardegna, so good!! Wonderful that I can make them at home, plus, that sauce is so tasty!

    Reply
  15. Sharon says

    September 21, 2021 at 4:26 pm

    This recipe is so simple to make and full of flavor. I love the pillowy gnocchi paired with the hearty sausage.

    Reply
  16. robert says

    March 30, 2020 at 3:24 am

    Made this last night. Fabulous. Had to use dried basil as there wasn't any on hand. Finished with Pecorino Romano and a handful of chopped chives. Next time, fre4sh basil, for sure. Otherwise, maybe a squirt of fresh lemon as well.

    Reply
  17. Jenn says

    December 14, 2019 at 9:34 pm

    Another fabulous recipe that turned out amazingly. I'm loving ALL your recipes, and I appreciate that they're authentic!

    Reply
  18. Brett says

    October 08, 2018 at 12:56 am

    I just made this and it came out fantastic. Love the tip about the saffron. It really allowed the flavor to open up the sauce after soaking it in the warm water.

    Reply
    • Jacqui says

      October 09, 2018 at 11:22 am

      Thanks so much for your comment Brett! I'm thrilled you made and loved this recipe! Yes soaking the saffron threads in warm water really adds a special flavour to the sauce. I love using saffron this way!

      Reply

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Buon giorno and welcome to my pasta project! My name is Jacqui. I’m originally a Londoner but in 2003 life’s journey brought me to the beautiful Veneto region of Italy where…

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malloreddus with sausage, tomatoes and saffron alla campidanese
This malloreddus with sausage, tomatoes and saffron alla campidanese