Here’s a delicious and quick recipe for 20-Minute Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi, perfect for a weeknight meal! This recipe generally cooks the gnocchi right in the sauce, making it a one-pan dish for easy cleanup.
20-Minute Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi
This recipe combines soft gnocchi with a rich cream sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and garlic for a comforting and quick dinner.
Prep time: 5-10 minutes Cook time: 10-15 minutes Total time: 20-25 minutes Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or a bit of oil from your sun-dried tomato jar for extra flavor)
- 1 yellow onion, diced (optional, but adds flavor)
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced or finely chopped
- 1 pound (approx. 500g) shelf-stable potato gnocchi (do not pre-cook)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, cut into strips (preferably oil-packed, drained)
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves, packed
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional additions: cooked Italian sausage (crumbled), grilled chicken, a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, fresh basil for garnish
Equipment:
- Large skillet or pot with a lid
- Mixing spoon
Instructions:
- Heat the oil and sauté aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. If using onion, add it and cook, stirring often, until softened and slightly transparent (about 2-3 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add liquid and gnocchi: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Add the uncooked gnocchi to the pan. Give it a good stir to combine everything.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until the gnocchi has softened and is cooked through. The gnocchi will cook directly in the sauce, and its starch will help thicken the sauce.
- Stir in remaining ingredients: Add the sun-dried tomatoes, baby spinach leaves, and half of the Parmesan cheese to the pan. Gently stir everything together until the spinach has wilted (this usually takes 1-2 minutes).
- Season and serve: Season to taste with salt and pepper. If desired, stir in any cooked protein like Italian sausage or chicken at this stage. Divide the creamy Tuscan gnocchi among serving bowls and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh basil, if using.
Tips and Variations:
- Gnocchi type: Use shelf-stable potato gnocchi from the dry pasta aisle for this recipe, as it cooks perfectly in the sauce.
- Protein: For a more substantial meal, brown some Italian sausage in the skillet before adding the onion/garlic, then proceed with the recipe. Cooked chicken or shrimp can also be added at the end.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a little heat.
- Extra veggies: Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like chopped artichoke hearts (drained) along with the spinach.
- Thickening the sauce: If the sauce is too thin, simmer it uncovered for another minute or two, stirring occasionally. If it’s too thick, you can add a splash more broth or cream.
- Serving suggestions: This dish is wonderful on its own, or served with crusty bread for dipping in the delicious sauce, or a simple side salad.
Enjoy your quick and flavorful Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi!