If you’re craving a cozy, restaurant-worthy meal in under 30 minutes, this Creamy Spinach Gnocchi is about to become your new obsession. Pillowy potato gnocchi simmer in a garlic-kissed cream sauce, cloaked with vibrant spinach and bold spices—all in one pan! It’s the perfect harmony of comfort, flavor, and weeknight simplicity.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 20-Minute Wonder: From pantry to table in just 20 minutes—perfect for busy nights or lazy weekends when you need a quick comfort fix!
- One-Pan Magic: Less cleanup, more flavor—everything from sautéed spinach to luscious cream sauce happens in a single skillet.
- Rich Yet Balanced: Creamy sauce, hearty gnocchi, and loads of spinach mean indulgence with a pop of vibrant greens in every bite.
- Totally Customizable: You can swap greens, bring in proteins, or adjust the heat—this dish welcomes your personal twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need a mile-long ingredient list to create pure comfort—just a few simple staples that really shine here. Each one plays a key role in making every bite of Creamy Spinach Gnocchi luxuriously smooth, deeply flavorful, and beautifully colored.
- Spinach: Fresh baby spinach adds a burst of color and tender, earthy flavor that lightens the whole dish—don’t be shy with it!
- Olive oil: Just a splash to wilt your greens and coax out their sweetness; use a good-quality extra virgin for more flavor.
- Potato gnocchi: Store-bought gnocchi is perfect for fast, pillowy results, but you can use homemade if you want to go the extra mile.
- Chicken broth: This infuses the gnocchi with savory depth and keeps everything moist as it simmers—vegetable broth works for a vegetarian twist.
- Heavy cream: The not-so-secret ingredient for that decadent, silky sauce that hugs each gnocchi.
- Garlic: Four whole cloves bring just the right amount of kick and perfume to the base of your creamy sauce.
- Italian seasoning (or Herbs from Provence): This blend provides herby, aromatic layers—feel free to use your favorite dried herbs.
- Smoked paprika: Adds a subtle warmth and smokiness that makes the sauce pop (more if you love a deeper, sultry flavor!)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: The essentials for teasing out every last note of flavor, used at different steps for the best results.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): For a gentle background heat that doesn’t overpower—totally up to your spice preference.
Variations
One of the best things about Creamy Spinach Gnocchi? You can easily riff on the recipe with what you have on hand, dietary swaps, or simply to keep things exciting every time you make it. Let these ideas spark inspiration!
- Add protein: Stir in cooked chicken, shrimp, or crispy pancetta at the end for a more substantial meal with extra flavor.
- Go veggie: Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and toss in mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or artichoke hearts.
- Dairy-free option: Use a rich, unsweetened non-dairy cream (like oat or cashew) and olive oil instead of butter, for luscious results without the dairy.
- Switch up the greens: Baby kale, Swiss chard, or arugula are all delicious alternatives to spinach.
- Turn up the spice: Amp up the smoked paprika and red pepper flakes if you love a fiery edge!
How to Make Creamy Spinach Gnocchi
Step 1: Wilt the Spinach
Start by heating olive oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the spinach, generously season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until it’s wilted and bright green. Transfer the spinach to a plate—you’ll return it to the pan in a bit, right before serving.
Step 2: Build the Creamy Sauce & Cook the Gnocchi
In the same skillet (no need to wash!), add your uncooked potato gnocchi, chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt. Stir gently so everything mingles together. Bring it all to a boil over medium heat, then cover and let the gnocchi simmer for about 5 minutes. The gnocchi cook through as the sauce thickens—total one-pan magic.
Step 3: Creamy Spinach Gnocchi Comes Together
Return the cooked spinach to your skillet, stirring to nestle those vibrant greens into the creamy sauce and pillowy gnocchi. Let everything warm through for another two minutes, or longer if you love a thicker, clingier sauce. Taste and adjust salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes to your boldness preferences. Serve right away and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Spinach Gnocchi
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Use a big enough skillet so every gnocchi is in contact with the sauce and nothing sticks—your texture will be perfect!
- Wilt in Advance: Always cook down your spinach before adding to the sauce, so you banish any excess water and the flavor stays rich—not watery.
- Choose the Right Gnocchi: Shelf-stable, fresh, or frozen gnocchi all work—just keep an eye on cooking time (fresh cooks a bit faster!).
- Sauce Thickness Is Your Call: For silky, pourable sauce serve immediately; for thicker sauce, let things bubble a minute or two longer with the lid off.
How to Serve Creamy Spinach Gnocchi
Garnishes
For a professional finish, shower your Creamy Spinach Gnocchi with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a sprinkle of extra smoked paprika, or a scattering of chopped fresh herbs like basil or parsley. A crack of black pepper or a pinch of lemon zest will also brighten the flavors right before serving.
Side Dishes
Creamy Spinach Gnocchi is hearty on its own, but you can round out your meal with a simple green salad, roasted veggies, or a few slices of crusty bread for scooping up extra sauce. For a dinner-party vibe, serve alongside grilled chicken or seared salmon.
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual night, let everyone scoop their own straight from the skillet. Hosting? Spoon into shallow bowls, crown with extra greens, and finish with a swirl of olive oil. For lunches, stuff into roasted bell peppers or even toast up leftovers as a cozy gnocchi bake!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let Creamy Spinach Gnocchi cool to room temperature, then pop leftovers into an airtight container. It keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days without losing that dreamy, velvety texture.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze Creamy Spinach Gnocchi! Just let it cool completely, transfer to freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight for the best texture; the sauce may need a quick stir when reheating.
Reheating
For best results, gently reheat Creamy Spinach Gnocchi in a skillet over low heat with a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce. If you’re microwaving, use short bursts and stir often to keep things lusciously creamy instead of dry.
FAQs
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Can I make Creamy Spinach Gnocchi vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth to keep everything meat-free. You’ll still get loads of flavor, and the sauce turns out just as silky and rich.
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Do I need to pre-cook the gnocchi for this recipe?
No need! The magic of this Creamy Spinach Gnocchi is that uncooked gnocchi goes straight into the skillet with the sauce to simmer—it soaks up flavor as it cooks. Super easy and one less pot to clean.
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Can I substitute frozen spinach for fresh?
Yes, frozen spinach works well—just thaw and squeeze out as much water as possible before adding. Use about 1 cup thawed for similar results, and season to taste.
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What’s the best kind of gnocchi to use?
Shelf-stable potato gnocchi is super convenient for quick meals, but refrigerated (fresh) or even homemade gnocchi both work beautifully. Adjust simmer time slightly for fresher varieties—they cook a little quicker!
Final Thoughts
If you need an easy win for dinner tonight, this Creamy Spinach Gnocchi is the answer. It’s a hug in a bowl—creamy, flavorful, and made with the simplest ingredients. Give it a try, and don’t be surprised if it becomes a regular in your comfort food rotation!
Print
Creamy Spinach Gnocchi Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 people 1x
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
Description
This Creamy Spinach Gnocchi recipe is a delightful one-pan meal that comes together in just 20 minutes. Tender potato gnocchi is cooked in a creamy sauce with spinach and flavorful seasonings for a quick and satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Spinach
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 oz spinach
- salt and pepper
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 de Provence
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika or more
- 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, cook seasoned spinach until wilted, about 5 minutes. Remove spinach to a plate.
- Make the creamy sauce and cook gnocchi: In the same skillet, add gnocchi, chicken broth, heavy cream, garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and salt. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook for 5 minutes. Add back spinach, stir, and cook for a couple of minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 445 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 686mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 68mg
