Description
This Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring golden sautéed gnocchi tossed in a rich, velvety sauce made with heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and fresh spinach. Enhanced with Italian seasoning and fresh basil, this recipe offers a quick and delicious meal perfect for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Gnocchi and Sauté Base
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 pound gnocchi, uncooked
Seasonings and Flavorings
- 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
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup vegetable stock
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Greens and Garnish
- 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, preparing the pan for sautéing the gnocchi and garlic.
- Sauté Gnocchi and Garlic: Add the finely chopped garlic and uncooked gnocchi to the skillet. Sauté the gnocchi for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it turns golden brown on most sides; note that the gnocchi will not be fully cooked yet.
- Add Seasonings and Tomatoes: Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes fragrant.
- Create Sauce and Simmer: Pour in the heavy cream, vegetable stock, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir the ingredients well and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and the gnocchi is tender.
- Add Spinach: Stir in the baby spinach and cook just until wilted, about 1 minute, blending the greens into the creamy sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with finely sliced fresh basil, and serve the dish immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use homemade vegetable stock if available.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper according to your preferred spice level.
- Gnocchi can be substituted with store-bought or homemade varieties.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, cook it a few minutes longer until desired consistency is reached.
- To make this dish vegetarian, ensure the Parmesan cheese used is vegetarian-friendly.
