Description
Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi is a comforting and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender gnocchi sautéed until golden, then simmered in a rich, creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, Parmesan, and fresh basil. This quick and easy skillet meal takes just 20 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner with a gourmet touch.
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
- Heat Butter: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it is bubbly, about 1 minute. This creates the base for sautéing your ingredients.
- Sauté Gnocchi and Garlic: Add the finely chopped garlic and uncooked gnocchi to the skillet. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi turns golden brown on most sides. The gnocchi will not be fully cooked at this stage.
- Add Seasonings and Tomatoes: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook the mixture for another 2-3 minutes until it becomes fragrant and well combined.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, vegetable stock, and add the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything well and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Then reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until the sauce thickens and the gnocchi becomes tender. This will take about 2-3 minutes.
- Wilt Spinach: Add the baby spinach to the skillet and stir it into the sauce. Cook for about 1 minute or until the spinach has wilted completely, incorporating its vibrant color and nutrients.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat, garnish the dish with finely sliced fresh basil, and serve immediately while hot for optimum flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, ensure your vegetable stock is fully vegetarian-friendly.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the sauce will be less rich.
- If fresh basil is unavailable, dry basil can be used, but use less as it is more concentrated.
- To add protein, consider topping with grilled chicken or cooked Italian sausage.
- To prevent gnocchi from sticking together while cooking, stir frequently and use enough butter for sautéing.
