Name: Creamy Tomato Spinach Gnocchi
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: Gnocchi: (500g package) – The star of the show! Look for shelf-stable potato gnocchi, readily available in most supermarkets. Their soft, pillowy texture is what makes this dish so comforting. Fresh gnocchi can also be used, but adjust cooking time accordingly.; Olive Oil: (2 tablespoons) – Essential for sautéing and building flavor. Use extra virgin olive oil for the best taste and health benefits. It provides a fruity note and healthy fats to the dish.; Onion: (1 medium, chopped) – The aromatic base of our sauce. Yellow or white onion works perfectly, adding sweetness and depth of flavor as it cooks down.; Garlic: (3 cloves, minced) – Adds a pungent and savory kick to the sauce. Freshly minced garlic is recommended for the most intense flavor.; Crushed Tomatoes: (1 can, 28oz) – Forms the flavorful base of the tomato sauce. Use good quality crushed tomatoes for the best taste. You can also use diced tomatoes if you prefer a chunkier sauce.; Tomato Paste: (2 tablespoons) – Concentrated tomato flavor that deepens the richness of the sauce. It adds umami and intensifies the tomato taste.; Heavy Cream: (1 cup) – The secret to the creamy texture! Heavy cream adds richness and luxuriousness to the sauce, making it incredibly indulgent. For a lighter option, you can use half-and-half or even full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free version (though the flavor will be slightly different).; Fresh Spinach: (5 oz, baby spinach) – Adds vibrant color, freshness, and nutritional value to the dish. Baby spinach is tender and cooks down quickly. You can also use frozen spinach, just be sure to thaw it thoroughly and squeeze out excess water before adding it to the sauce.; Parmesan Cheese: (1/2 cup, grated, plus extra for serving) – Adds salty, savory, and nutty notes to the sauce. Freshly grated Parmesan is always best for flavor and texture. We use it in the sauce and for topping at the end.; Dried Oregano: (1 teaspoon) – A classic Italian herb that complements tomatoes beautifully. It adds a warm, slightly peppery flavor to the sauce.; Dried Basil: (1 teaspoon) – Another essential Italian herb that enhances the tomato flavor. It brings a slightly sweet and aromatic note to the dish.; Salt: (to taste) – Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors in the dish. Start with a teaspoon and adjust to your preference.; Black Pepper: (to taste) – Adds a touch of spice and depth of flavor. Freshly ground black pepper is recommended for the best aroma and taste.; Red Pepper Flakes: (optional, pinch) – For a touch of heat. Add a pinch or more if you like a bit of spice in your tomato sauce.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this delectable dish. We’ve kept the ingredients simple and accessible, ensuring you can easily find everything at your local grocery store.

Gnocchi: (500g package) – The star of the show! Look for shelf-stable potato gnocchi, readily available in most supermarkets. Their soft, pillowy texture is what makes this dish so comforting. Fresh gnocchi can also be used, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
Olive Oil: (2 tablespoons) – Essential for sautéing and building flavor. Use extra virgin olive oil for the best taste and health benefits. It provides a fruity note and healthy fats to the dish.
Onion: (1 medium, chopped) – The aromatic base of our sauce. Yellow or white onion works perfectly, adding sweetness and depth of flavor as it cooks down.
Garlic: (3 cloves, minced) – Adds a pungent and savory kick to the sauce. Freshly minced garlic is recommended for the most intense flavor.
Crushed Tomatoes: (1 can, 28oz) – Forms the flavorful base of the tomato sauce. Use good quality crushed tomatoes for the best taste. You can also use diced tomatoes if you prefer a chunkier sauce.
Tomato Paste: (2 tablespoons) – Concentrated tomato flavor that deepens the richness of the sauce. It adds umami and intensifies the tomato taste.
Heavy Cream: (1 cup) – The secret to the creamy texture! Heavy cream adds richness and luxuriousness to the sauce, making it incredibly indulgent. For a lighter option, you can use half-and-half or even full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free version (though the flavor will be slightly different).
Fresh Spinach: (5 oz, baby spinach) – Adds vibrant color, freshness, and nutritional value to the dish. Baby spinach is tender and cooks down quickly. You can also use frozen spinach, just be sure to thaw it thoroughly and squeeze out excess water before adding it to the sauce.
Parmesan Cheese: (1/2 cup, grated, plus extra for serving) – Adds salty, savory, and nutty notes to the sauce. Freshly grated Parmesan is always best for flavor and texture. We use it in the sauce and for topping at the end.
Dried Oregano: (1 teaspoon) – A classic Italian herb that complements tomatoes beautifully. It adds a warm, slightly peppery flavor to the sauce.
Dried Basil: (1 teaspoon) – Another essential Italian herb that enhances the tomato flavor. It brings a slightly sweet and aromatic note to the dish.
Salt: (to taste) – Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors in the dish. Start with a teaspoon and adjust to your preference.
Black Pepper: (to taste) – Adds a touch of spice and depth of flavor. Freshly ground black pepper is recommended for the best aroma and taste.
Red Pepper Flakes: (optional, pinch) – For a touch of heat. Add a pinch or more if you like a bit of spice in your tomato sauce.

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Instructions

Prepare the Gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. While the water is heating, you can start preparing the sauce. Once boiling, add the gnocchi and cook according to package directions. Typically, gnocchi will float to the surface when they are cooked through, which usually takes just a few minutes. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become mushy. Drain the cooked gnocchi and set aside. Reserving a little pasta water is optional but can be helpful if you need to adjust the sauce consistency later.
Sauté Aromatics: While the gnocchi is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent browning. Softening the onion is crucial as it releases its sweetness and creates a flavorful base for the sauce. Don’t rush this step!
Add Garlic and Tomato Paste: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Burnt garlic can become bitter. Then, add the tomato paste to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Cooking the tomato paste deepens its flavor and adds richness to the sauce. It also helps to remove any raw tomato taste.
Build the Tomato Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine with the onion, garlic, and tomato paste mixture. Add the dried oregano and dried basil, salt, and black pepper. If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes at this stage. Stir everything together well. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Simmering allows the flavors to meld together and deepen, creating a richer and more complex sauce. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it will become.
Add Cream and Parmesan: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the Parmesan is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Adding the cream and Parmesan off the heat prevents the cheese from clumping and ensures a smooth, velvety sauce. The Parmesan cheese also adds saltiness, so taste the sauce at this point and adjust seasoning if needed.
Incorporate Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the creamy tomato sauce. Stir until the spinach wilts and is incorporated into the sauce. This will only take a minute or two as baby spinach wilts very quickly in the heat of the sauce. The spinach adds a beautiful green color and a boost of nutrients to the dish.
Combine Gnocchi and Sauce: Add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet with the creamy tomato spinach sauce. Gently toss to coat the gnocchi evenly in the sauce. Ensure every piece of gnocchi is nicely coated in the flavorful sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up to your desired consistency.
Serve and Garnish: Serve the Creamy Tomato Spinach Gnocchi immediately while it’s hot and creamy. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley, if desired. Serving it immediately ensures the gnocchi is at its best texture and the sauce is still warm and luscious.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 550
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 35g
Carbohydrates: 60g
Protein: 20g