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Easy • Vegetarian

20-Minute Creamy Spinach Gnocchi

Soft potato gnocchi tossed in a rich, velvety spinach sauce is a quick, indulgent, and comforting vegetarian meal ready in minutes.

Prep
5 min
Cook
15 min
Servings
4
Level
Easy
20-Minute Creamy Spinach Gnocchi

When you need a quick comfort food fix, this 20-Minute Creamy Spinach Gnocchi is your new best friend! Tender potato gnocchi gets coated in a luxurious, vibrant spinach sauce that tastes like it simmered all day, but comes together in a flash. It's vegetarian, incredibly satisfying, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want something special without the fuss.

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 5 oz fresh spinach
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1 (16 oz) package potato gnocchi
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: Pinch of nutmeg

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add fresh spinach and cook, stirring, until it wilts completely, about 2-3 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Pour in vegetable broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese and nutmeg (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  4. Step 4

    Add the uncooked potato gnocchi directly to the simmering sauce. Stir gently, cover, and cook for 5-7 minutes, or according to package directions, until the gnocchi is tender and floats to the top.

  5. Step 5

    Stir everything together to ensure the gnocchi is well coated in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more broth or water.

  6. Step 6

    Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a crack of black pepper.

Tips

  • Using pre-packaged gnocchi makes this recipe incredibly fast. No need to boil separately!
  • If you don't have heavy cream, a combination of milk and a tablespoon of cornstarch (slurried) can be used, but the texture won't be as rich.
  • Add sun-dried tomatoes or mushrooms with the onion for an extra layer of flavor.

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