If you’re looking for a dinner that checks all the right boxes—creamy, comforting, loaded with greens, and on the table in just 20 minutes—Creamy Spinach Gnocchi is about to become your new weeknight hero. This one-pan wonder wraps pillowy gnocchi and tender sautéed spinach in a luscious garlic cream sauce, all with minimal fuss and maximum flavor!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra Creamy, Dreamy Sauce: Every bite is coated in a garlicky, velvety cream sauce that feels restaurant-worthy but comes together in minutes.
- Minimum Mess, Maximum Comfort: This is a true one-pan meal—meaning fewer dishes and more time to enjoy your gnocchi (and maybe a glass of wine on the side).
- Spinach Done Right: The generous handfuls of spinach not only boost nutrition but also provide beautiful color and an earthy, fresh flavor that balances the richness.
- Weeknight Fast, Weekend Special: Although it’s ready in just 20 minutes, Creamy Spinach Gnocchi tastes like something you’d savor at your favorite Italian bistro.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a handful of pantry and fridge staples are all you need to make this show-stopping Creamy Spinach Gnocchi. Don’t let the simplicity fool you—each ingredient plays a starring role in creating that signature silky sauce, pillowy texture, and irresistible flavor. Here’s what you’ll need and why you shouldn’t skip a single thing!
- Spinach (8 oz): I love using baby spinach here—it wilts quickly and infuses the sauce with freshness and color. Feel free to use regular spinach, but just chop it roughly first.
- Olive Oil (1 tablespoon): This brings a subtle richness to the sautéed spinach and helps everything get glossy and gorgeous.
- Potato Gnocchi (16 oz): Store-bought gnocchi makes this recipe weeknight-friendly; you’ll cook it right in the sauce, so it soaks up every bit of flavor!
- Chicken Broth (½ cup): Delivers depth and helps the gnocchi cook perfectly al dente. For a vegetarian twist, you can swap in veggie broth.
- Heavy Cream (1 cup): The secret to a sauce that’s both rich and velvety—don’t be tempted to use milk, you want that indulgent creaminess!
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): So essential for building that classic Italian-inspired base. More garlic is always welcome!
- Italian Seasoning or Herbes de Provence (½ teaspoon): This aromatic blend gives your sauce savory, herbal warmth. Use what you have on hand.
- Smoked Paprika (½ teaspoon or more): Adds a little personality, subtle smokiness, and a gentle kick to the gnocchi.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon, plus more to taste): This little bit, added in stages, highlights all the fresh flavors.
- Coarsely Ground Black Pepper: Brings just the right bite and a lovely speckled finish.
- Red Pepper Flakes (to taste): For a touch of gentle heat that sings against the creamy sauce. Optional—but I never skip it!
Variations
One of my favorite things about Creamy Spinach Gnocchi is how endlessly riffable it is. Whether you’re cooking for dietary preferences, using up fridge odds and ends, or just love making recipes your own, this dish welcomes creative tweaks!
- Add Protein: Stir in cooked shredded chicken, sautéed shrimp, or crisped pancetta at the end to make it even heartier.
- Make It Vegetarian: Simply swap the chicken broth for a flavorful vegetable broth and skip any meaty add-ins.
- Swap the Greens: Kale, Swiss chard, or even arugula can stand in for spinach—just be sure to adjust cook time for heartier greens.
- Extra Indulgence: Finish with a handful of grated Parmesan or a dollop of mascarpone for an ultra-luxurious sauce!
How to Make Creamy Spinach Gnocchi
Step 1: Sauté the Spinach
Start by heating olive oil in a roomy skillet over medium heat. Toss in the fresh spinach with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and sauté until it’s wilted and dark green—about five minutes. Remove it to a plate for now (don’t worry, it’ll be back!). This step keeps the greens bright and prevents them from watering down the sauce.
Step 2: Simmer the Gnocchi in Creamy Sauce
In that same, now-empty pan, add your uncooked potato gnocchi, chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian herbs, smoked paprika, and the salt. Give everything a big stir and bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat. Pop a lid on and let it simmer for five minutes—just long enough for the gnocchi to become perfectly tender while soaking up those decadent flavors.
Step 3: Bring it All Together
Return the sautéed spinach to the skillet, stirring it through the creamy gnocchi and letting the sauce bubble for another couple of minutes. For a thicker, even silkier consistency, let it cook just a bit longer with the lid off. Season with extra salt, plenty of black pepper, a shake of red pepper flakes, or more smoked paprika to jazz things up as much as you like!
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Spinach Gnocchi
- One-Pan Magic: Sauté the spinach first and set it aside—this prevents the greens from overcooking and keeps the sauce vibrant, not watery.
- Gnocchi Texture: Add gnocchi straight to the sauce (no pre-boiling!), but keep an eye as they cook—they’re ready when they’re plump and pillow-soft, not mushy.
- Sauce Consistency: For a thicker, clingier sauce, simmer uncovered for a minute or two at the end; for looser sauce, leave the lid on a little longer and add a splash more broth if needed.
- Smoked Paprika PERFECTION: Start small and sprinkle more smoked paprika right before serving—the vivid color and hint of smoke are irresistible!
How to Serve Creamy Spinach Gnocchi
Garnishes
This dish is already a stunner, but a pretty sprinkle never hurts—try freshly shaved Parmesan, a flurry of chopped Italian parsley, or a dusting of extra red pepper flakes for sparkle and heat. A drizzle of good olive oil just before you dig in makes Creamy Spinach Gnocchi feel extra special.
Side Dishes
A crisp green salad with a bright vinaigrette is perfect alongside the rich, creamy sauce. Some warm, crusty bread or garlic knots are wonderful too—as you’ll want to mop up every drop of that luscious sauce. A roasted veggie platter or simply steamed asparagus also pairs beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a little “wow” factor, serve Creamy Spinach Gnocchi in shallow bowls with a swirl of cream and a small heap of sautéed greens on top. Hosting dinner? Spoon it into mini ramekins for individual starters, or set up a gnocchi bar with bowls of toppings like crispy prosciutto, toasted pine nuts, and fresh basil for everyone to build their own.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any Creamy Spinach Gnocchi left (lucky you!), store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. These flavors keep beautifully for up to three days, and the gnocchi stay pillowy and satisfying even after sitting overnight.
Freezing
This dish is at its creamy best when enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze portions for up to one month. Let it cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. Just know the sauce may separate a bit upon thawing, but a gentle stir when reheating works magic!
Reheating
Reheat Creamy Spinach Gnocchi gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce. Stir frequently until heated through—this helps restore the silky-smooth consistency. Avoid microwaving if you can, as it can make the gnocchi rubbery.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Just thaw and squeeze out extra moisture first, then continue as directed. It’s a great shortcut, especially when you’re low on fresh greens.
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Do I need to boil the gnocchi before adding to the sauce?
Nope! The beauty of this Creamy Spinach Gnocchi is that the uncooked gnocchi simmers right in the sauce, soaking up all that flavor while saving you an extra pot (and step!).
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How can I make this Creamy Spinach Gnocchi vegan?
Use a plant-based cream (like cashew or oat), swap in vegetable broth, and double-check your gnocchi doesn’t contain eggs or dairy. A sprinkle of nutritional yeast can bring cheesy flavor, too!
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What’s the best way to add extra veggies?
Feel free to toss in peas, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, or chopped sun-dried tomatoes along with the spinach. Just keep the veggie pieces small so they fold into the sauce beautifully.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving cozy comfort without turning on the oven or dirtying a stack of pans, let this Creamy Spinach Gnocchi win you over. I hope it becomes your go-to for effortless, feel-good dinners—a dish worth sharing, savoring, and making again and again!
Print
Creamy Spinach Gnocchi Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 people
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
Description
Creamy Spinach Gnocchi is a quick and delicious one-pan meal that combines pillowy gnocchi with a rich and flavorful creamy sauce packed with spinach and herbs.
Ingredients
For the Spinach:
- Spinach
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 oz spinach
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Gnocchi:
- 16 oz potato gnocchi
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbs from Provence
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, or more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, to taste
- Coarsely ground black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
Instructions
- Cook spinach: Heat olive oil in a skillet, add spinach seasoned with salt and pepper, cook until wilted, then remove to a plate.
- Make the creamy sauce and cook gnocchi: In the same skillet, combine gnocchi, chicken broth, heavy cream, garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and salt. Boil, cover, and cook for about 5 minutes. Add back cooked spinach, stir, and simmer for a couple of minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika.
Nutrition
- Calories: 445kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 686mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 68mg
