Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of pillowy soft gnocchi, draped in a luxuriously creamy Parmesan sauce, with vibrant green spinach peeking through each delectable bite. This isn't just another pasta dish - this is a culinary experience that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal you can create right in your own kitchen. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a recipe that's as easy to make as it is irresistibly delicious!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb gnocchi
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 1 lb of gnocchi, 2 cups of fresh spinach, 1 cup of heavy cream, 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 2 cloves of garlic (minced), salt and pepper to taste, and olive oil for sautéing.
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the gnocchi and cook according to package instructions, usually about 2-3 minutes, or until they float to the surface. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
- While the gnocchi is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Allow the oil to heat up for about a minute.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Next, add the fresh spinach to the skillet. Sauté the spinach for about 2-3 minutes, or until wilted and tender.
- Once the spinach is cooked, pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Allow the cream to come to a gentle simmer, cooking for about 2-3 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet, stirring continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Carefully fold the cooked gnocchi into the creamy spinach sauce, ensuring that the gnocchi is well coated with the sauce.
- Cook the gnocchi in the sauce for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove the skillet from the heat. Serve the creamy Parmesan spinach gnocchi immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
- Use fresh gnocchi if possible - it cooks faster and has a more tender texture than dried varieties.
- Don't overcook the gnocchi; they're done as soon as they float to the surface of the boiling water.
- Grate your Parmesan cheese fresh for the most intense flavor and smoothest sauce.
- Keep the heat at medium to prevent the cream from scorching or separating.
- For extra richness, you can add a small pat of butter to the sauce just before adding the Parmesan.
- If the sauce is too thick, thin it with a little pasta water before adding the gnocchi.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and temperature - this dish is best enjoyed fresh from the pan!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 514kcal
Carbohydrates: 44g
Protein: 17g
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 19g
Cholesterol: 100mg
