Description
Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi is a delightful and rich Italian-inspired dish featuring golden sautéed gnocchi tossed in a luscious cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick and comforting meal, this recipe takes just 20 minutes and serves 4 people.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 pound gnocchi, uncooked
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup vegetable stock
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, finely sliced
Instructions
- Melt Butter: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until bubbly, about 1 minute. This will create the flavorful base for sautéing the gnocchi and garlic.
- Sauté Gnocchi and Garlic: Add the finely chopped garlic and uncooked gnocchi to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is golden brown on most sides, about 5 minutes. The gnocchi will start to crisp but doesn’t need to be fully cooked yet.
- Add Seasonings and Tomatoes: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, salt, and ground black pepper. Cook this mixture for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, allowing the spices and tomatoes to infuse the dish.
- Create Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, vegetable stock, and add the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir well to combine all ingredients and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and the gnocchi is tender, about 2-3 minutes.
- Wilt Spinach: Add the fresh baby spinach and cook for about 1 minute until it wilts evenly into the sauce, enhancing the flavor and texture.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with the finely sliced fresh basil, and serve immediately while warm for best taste and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable stock with chicken stock for added flavor if not vegetarian.
- For a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper according to taste.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free gnocchi available at specialty stores.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat gently on the stovetop to avoid breaking down the cream sauce.
- If you prefer a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though the sauce will be less thick and creamy.
