Creamy Tomato Spinach Gnocchi

$To make creamy tomato spinach gnocchi, gather these ingredients: - 1 pound gnocchi - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes - 1 cup heavy cream - 2 cups fresh spinach - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - Salt and pepper to taste - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese - Fresh basil leaves for garnish You can add some fun extra ingredients for more flavor: - A pinch of red pepper flakes for heat - 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced - 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped - A squeeze of lemon juice for brightness If you don’t have something on hand, you can swap some ingredients: - Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce. - Substitute fresh spinach with kale or Swiss chard. - Use any cheese you like instead of Parmesan, such as feta or mozzarella. - For a vegan option, replace cream with coconut milk and use vegan cheese. These tips help you make this dish your own! {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by boiling water in a large pot. Add a good amount of salt to the water. When it bubbles, add 1 pound of gnocchi. Cook it just until the gnocchi floats, about 2-4 minutes. This shows they are done. Drain the gnocchi and set it aside for later. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add 3 cloves of minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute. You want it fragrant, not burnt. Then, pour in a can of diced tomatoes, including the juice. Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream. Let this simmer for 3-4 minutes. Stir it occasionally to blend the flavors well. Next, add 2 cups of fresh spinach and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Cook until the spinach wilts, which takes about 2-3 minutes. Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper as needed. Now it’s time to bring it all together. Gently fold the cooked gnocchi into the creamy sauce. Make sure each piece is well coated. Stir in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce. Adjust the seasoning if you need to. Serve this dish hot, and don’t forget to garnish with fresh basil leaves for a touch of color and flavor. Enjoy your meal! To prevent soggy gnocchi, start with a big pot of boiling salted water. This helps keep the gnocchi firm. Cook the gnocchi just until they float. This usually takes 2-4 minutes. If they cook too long, they can become mushy. Drain them right away, and do not rinse. Rinsing washes away the starch that helps the sauce stick. For creamy sauces, always use medium heat. High heat can cause the cream to separate. Start by sautéing garlic in olive oil until it smells great. Then, add diced tomatoes and heavy cream together. Stir often and simmer for a few minutes. This lets the flavors blend well. To finish, fold in cheese for extra creaminess. Store leftover creamy tomato spinach gnocchi in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to three days. When ready to eat, reheat it gently on the stove. Add a splash of water or cream to help loosen the sauce. Heat until warm, and enjoy! Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Opt for fresh spinach and high-quality canned tomatoes for the best flavor in your dish. Don’t Overcook Gnocchi: Keep an eye on the gnocchi while cooking; they only need a few minutes until they float to the surface. Adjust Creaminess: For a lighter sauce, you can substitute half of the heavy cream with vegetable or chicken broth. Garnish for Flavor: Fresh basil not only adds a pop of color but also enhances the overall flavor of the dish. {{image_2}} If you want a vegetarian version, skip the cheese. Use plant-based cream instead of heavy cream. This keeps the dish creamy and tasty. You can add more veggies like bell peppers or zucchini. They add great flavor and texture. If you want a vegan option, use a dairy-free cheese. Nutritional yeast can also give a cheesy taste without dairy. For those who like protein, adding chicken or shrimp works well. Cook bite-sized pieces of chicken in the olive oil until brown. Then, follow the same steps for the sauce. If using shrimp, add them to the sauce when it’s simmering. They cook quickly and soak up the flavors. Both options add heartiness to the dish. If you like spice, add red pepper flakes to the sauce. You can also toss in fresh chili peppers for more heat. For added nutrition, consider mixing in broccoli or peas. They blend nicely with the creamy sauce. Adjust the seasonings to match your taste. After you make your creamy tomato spinach gnocchi, let it cool first. Store it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for about 3 days in the fridge. To reheat, use a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of water or cream to keep it moist. If you want to save some for later, freezing is easy. First, let it cool completely. Then, place it in a freezer-safe container. You can freeze it for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat it in a pan or the microwave. Use glass or plastic containers with tight lids for storing. They keep the flavors in and air out. Avoid metal containers, as they can alter the taste. If you freeze it, use freezer bags that seal well to save space. Cooking gnocchi takes about 2 to 4 minutes. You should add the gnocchi to boiling salted water. They will float when done. Floating means they are ready to drain. Yes, you can use store-bought gnocchi. It saves time and tastes great. Just follow the cooking instructions on the package. Fresh or frozen gnocchi work well for this recipe. Yes, this recipe is great for meal prep. You can cook the gnocchi and sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge. When ready to eat, just reheat them together in a skillet. This blog post covered how to make creamy tomato spinach gnocchi. We went through the key ingredients, cooking steps, and helpful tips. You learned about variations for different diets and how to store leftovers. Cooking does not need to be hard. With these methods, you can enjoy delicious meals easily. Try new flavors and make the dish your own. Cooking can be fun, and your taste buds will thank you!$

A delicious and creamy dish featuring gnocchi, fresh spinach, and tomatoes.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

1 pound gnocchi
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups fresh spinach
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
to taste salt and pepper
0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
for garnish fresh basil leaves

Instructions

In a large pot of boiling salted water, add the gnocchi and cook according to package instructions until they float to the surface, usually about 2-4 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juice) and stir in the heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer and allow it to cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the fresh spinach and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Cook until the spinach wilts down, about 2-3 minutes.
Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
Gently fold the cooked gnocchi into the creamy tomato spinach sauce, ensuring they are well coated.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Adjust seasoning if required.
Serve immediately while hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves on top.

Notes

Serve hot and garnish with fresh basil for added flavor.

Keyword creamy, gnocchi, quick meal, spinach, tomato