Silky Spinach & Sundried Tomato Gnocchi Recipe: A Joy To Make

Comfort meets culinary creativity in this irresistible spinach and sundried tomato gnocchi that promises to delight every taste bud.

Soft, pillowy gnocchi dance with vibrant spinach and tangy sundried tomatoes in a luxurious sauce.

The harmonious blend of fresh ingredients creates a symphony of flavors that feels like a warm embrace.

Rich, creamy textures mingle with bright, zesty notes, making each bite a delightful experience.

Weeknight dinners or special occasions call for this simple yet impressive pasta dish that comes together in less than 30 minutes.

Chefs and home cooks alike will adore how effortlessly this recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Dive into this delectable gnocchi and let your senses be your guide to culinary bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 468 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Spinach & Sundried Tomato Gnocchi

• Gnocchi: Soft potato dumplings that form the hearty foundation of this comforting dish, choose fresh or vacuum-sealed for best texture.
• Olive Oil: Creates a silky base for sautéing, select extra virgin for richer flavor profile.
• Butter: Adds luxurious richness and helps bind sauce ingredients smoothly.

• Onion: Provides sweet aromatic undertones, look for firm bulbs without soft spots.
• Garlic: Delivers sharp, pungent depth, select plump cloves with tight skin.
• Dried Oregano: Introduces earthy Mediterranean herb notes, choose high-quality dried variety.
• Sundried Tomatoes: Brings concentrated tangy sweetness, opt for oil-packed versions for intense flavor.

• Vegetable Stock: Creates liquid base for sauce, select low-sodium for better control of seasoning.
• Double Cream: Generates silky, luxurious texture, choose fresh high-fat content cream.
• Baby Spinach: Adds vibrant green color and nutritional boost, select crisp, bright leaves.
• Grana Padano Cheese: Provides nutty, salty finish, grate fresh for maximum flavor.
• Pine Nuts: Delivers delicate crunch and nutty undertone, toast lightly before serving.
• Black Pepper: Introduces subtle heat and complexity, grind fresh for best results.
• Sea Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use sparingly and adjust to taste.

Supplies for Gnocchi Prep

• Large skillet or sauté pan: Essential for cooking the entire dish and blending flavors.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, and sundried tomatoes.
• Sharp knife: Critical for precise ingredient preparation.
• Cheese grater: Used for grating Grana Padano cheese.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for accurate herb and seasoning measurements.
• Measuring cup: Useful for liquid ingredient quantities.

Step-by-Step for Sundried Tomato Gnocchi

• Onion Softening

Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Gently cook chopped onions until they become translucent and soft, releasing their sweet aroma and creating a flavor foundation for the dish.

• Flavor Layering

Add dried oregano, minced garlic, and sundried tomatoes to the pan. Let these ingredients dance together for a moment, releasing their intense, aromatic essence and creating a rich base for the sauce.

• Gnocchi Introduction

Melt butter into the skillet and introduce the gnocchi. Toss them gently, ensuring each pillow gets coated in the fragrant tomato mixture, allowing them to absorb the deep flavors.

• Sauce Creation

Pour in vegetable stock and cream, transforming the pan’s contents into a luxurious, velvety sauce. Let it simmer and reduce, thickening into a luscious coating that will embrace the gnocchi.

• Spinach Wilting

Fold in fresh baby spinach, watching it surrender and melt into the creamy sauce, adding a vibrant green freshness and nutritional boost to the dish.

• Cheese Finale

Remove from heat and swirl in grated Grana Padano, creating a silky, glossy finish that brings all the flavors together in a harmonious blend.

• Presentation

Plate the gnocchi, garnishing with toasted pine nuts and an extra sprinkle of cheese, ready to delight your senses with a symphony of textures and tastes.

Customization Tips for Gnocchi

• Gnocchi Texture Trick: For a crispier gnocchi exterior, pat the store-bought or homemade gnocchi dry with paper towels before cooking to ensure a golden, slightly crisp finish.
• Protein Power-Up: Enhance the dish by adding cooked chicken, crispy pancetta, or sautéed shrimp for extra protein and depth of flavor.
• Cheese Swap Magic: Replace Grana Padano with pecorino romano, parmesan, or a creamy goat cheese to experiment with different cheese profiles and tastes.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Substitute double cream with coconut milk or a plant-based cream alternative, and use nutritional yeast instead of cheese for a vegan-friendly version of this comforting meal.
• Herb Garden Boost: Experiment with fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or chopped rosemary to add a bright, aromatic twist to the creamy sauce and elevate the overall flavor profile.

Serving Gnocchi with Flair

• Rustic Italian Dinner Night: Create a cozy Italian-inspired dining experience by serving this gnocchi with crusty garlic bread and a light red wine. The creamy sauce and robust flavors make this dish perfect for a warm, intimate meal that transports you to a charming trattoria.
• Fresh Green Salad Pairing: Complement the richness of the gnocchi with a crisp mixed green salad dressed in a light lemon vinaigrette. The bright, tangy salad will balance the creamy, indulgent pasta and provide a refreshing contrast to the dish's deep flavors.
• Weekend Brunch Twist: Transform this gnocchi into a stunning brunch centerpiece by topping it with a perfectly poached egg. The runny yolk will blend beautifully with the creamy sauce, creating an extra layer of luxurious texture that elevates the entire meal.
• Meal Prep Champion: Pack individual portions in airtight containers for a delicious work or school lunch. The dish holds up well when reheated and maintains its creamy consistency, making it an excellent option for make-ahead meals that don't compromise on taste.

Gnocchi Storage and Reheating Tips

• Smart Storage Solutions: Transfer leftover gnocchi to an airtight container, ensuring the creamy sauce covers the pasta to prevent drying. Refrigerate for up to 3 days, maintaining delicious flavors and texture.
• Quick Reheat Trick: Warm gnocchi gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of vegetable stock to restore sauce consistency. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and maintain the original creamy texture.
• Freezing Strategy: Pack cooled gnocchi in freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating to preserve taste and quality.
• Portion Planning: Divide large batches into single-serving containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Label each container with date and contents to track freshness and minimize food waste.

Elegant Spinach and Sundried Tomato Gnocchi Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Italian-inspired Creamy Spinach and Sundried Tomato Gnocchi delivers rich, comforting flavors that blend perfectly on one delightful plate. Mediterranean ingredients create a quick weeknight meal you’ll savor with pure culinary satisfaction.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pack (500g / 17.6 oz) gnocchi
• 300 ml / 1 cup vegetable stock
• 60g / 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• 10 pieces sundried tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 150 ml / ¾ cup double cream (heavy cream)
• 50g / ½ cup Grana Padano cheese, finely grated
• 1 medium brown onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, very finely chopped or pressed
• 30g / 2 tbsps salted butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 heaped tsp dried oregano
• 2 – 3 tbsps toasted pine nuts (optional)
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper + more for serving

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet and gently cook onions with a pinch of sea salt until they become translucent and soft, creating a fragrant base for the dish.
2. Build Flavor Layers: Add dried oregano, garlic, and sundried tomatoes to the skillet, allowing their robust flavors to intertwine and intensify for a brief moment.
3. Introduce Gnocchi: Melt butter into the aromatic mixture, then carefully fold in gnocchi, ensuring each dumpling is evenly coated and gently warmed through.
4. Create Creamy Sauce: Pour vegetable stock and double cream into the skillet, seasoning with salt and black pepper. Simmer and stir until the sauce thickens and develops a luxurious, velvety consistency.
5. Incorporate Greens: Gently fold fresh baby spinach into the creamy sauce, allowing it to wilt and seamlessly integrate, adding a vibrant green element to the dish.
6. Finish and Garnish: Remove from heat and stir in Grana Padano cheese until the sauce becomes silky and glossy. Plate the gnocchi and top with toasted pine nuts, an extra sprinkle of cheese, and a final whisper of black pepper.

Notes

• Optimize Onion Sautéing: Cook onions slowly on medium-low heat to develop sweet, caramelized undertones without burning.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Watch the simmer closely; cream-based sauces can quickly separate or become too thick if overheated.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Add Grana Padano off the heat to prevent graininess and ensure a smooth, velvety texture.
• Pine Nut Toasting Tip: Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning and release their rich, nutty flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 468
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg