Creamy Garlic Gnocchi with Spinach (Printable)

Tender gnocchi bathed in silky garlic cream sauce with fresh spinach. A comforting Italian-inspired main dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Gnocchi

01 - 1 lb potato gnocchi, store-bought or homemade

→ Sauce

02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup heavy cream
05 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
08 - Pinch of ground nutmeg

→ Vegetables

09 - 3.5 oz fresh baby spinach

→ Garnish

10 - Extra Parmesan cheese for serving
11 - Freshly ground black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook according to package directions until they float to the surface, approximately 2-3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
02 - Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, ensuring it does not brown.
03 - Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce reaches a slightly thickened consistency.
04 - Add the cooked gnocchi and fresh spinach to the skillet. Toss gently to coat all components, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts and the gnocchi are evenly coated in sauce.
05 - Transfer to serving plates immediately. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent an hour in the kitchen but youre done in twenty five minutes.
  • The garlic cream sauce is so good youll want to save some for dipping bread the next day.
  • Spinach wilts right into the sauce so you get vegetables without any extra effort.
  • It reheats beautifully, which means leftovers actually get eaten.
02 -
  • Dont overcook the garlic or it will taste bitter and ruin the whole sauce, keep the heat medium and watch it closely.
  • Reserve a little pasta water before draining the gnocchi, it helps loosen the sauce if it gets too thick.
  • Add the spinach at the very end so it stays bright green and doesnt turn mushy.
03 -
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan instead of the pre grated stuff, it melts smoother and tastes infinitely better.
  • If the sauce looks too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the consistency you want.
  • Taste before serving and adjust the salt, cream dishes often need a little more than you think.
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