Description
This recipe transforms traditional gnocchi into a luxurious dish with a rich and creamy sauce. It’s a comforting and impressive meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups potato gnocchi
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup spinach, fresh or frozen
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the potato gnocchi and cook according to package instructions until they float to the surface, approximately 2-3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and stir well to combine. Let the sauce come to a gentle simmer.
- Incorporate Cheese: Slowly whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Season the Sauce: Add salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) for a touch of heat. Stir to combine.
- Add Spinach: If using fresh spinach, add it to the skillet and stir until wilted. If using frozen spinach, let it thaw and add it at this stage.
- Combine with Gnocchi: Gently fold the cooked gnocchi into the creamy sauce. Let everything simmer together for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Adjust Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water until you reach the desired consistency.
- Garnish: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy the dish warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor.
- Be gentle when handling gnocchi to prevent them from becoming mushy.
- Adjust the amount of heavy cream to achieve your preferred sauce thickness.
- For a gourmet touch, consider adding sautéed mushrooms, cooked chicken, or shrimp.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water.
- To freeze, store gnocchi and sauce separately.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: N/A