Description
This Marry Me Gnocchi recipe is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender gnocchi simmered in a rich sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, and fresh herbs. The sauce is finished with Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and fresh spinach for a comforting and elegant meal that’s quick and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 16 ounces gnocchi
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 5-6 fresh basil leaves, chiffonaded (rolled and cut into ribbons), plus more for garnish
Toppings
- Fresh basil leaves
- Shredded Parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for additional heat)
Instructions
- Sauté Garlic and Seasoning: Place a large sauté pan over medium-low heat and add the olive oil. When hot, add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Sauté for one minute until the garlic is tender and fragrant.
- Add Broth and Gnocchi: Stream in the vegetable broth while stirring to deglaze the pan and pick up any stuck bits. Then add the gnocchi, sun-dried tomatoes, crushed red pepper flakes, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the pan.
- Simmer Gnocchi: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pan. Cook for 5 minutes until the gnocchi is tender and cooked through.
- Wilt Spinach and Add Cream: Remove the lid and stir in the roughly chopped spinach. Cook for about one minute until the spinach wilts. Then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, heavy whipping cream, and fresh basil chiffonade.
- Season and Serve: Taste the sauce and add additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve the gnocchi topped with extra Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, and crushed red pepper flakes for added heat if desired.
Notes
- To save time, use pre-minced garlic or garlic paste.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter option, but the sauce may be less rich.
- For a non-vegetarian version, you can add cooked chicken or Italian sausage.
- Use fresh gnocchi if available for best texture, or frozen gnocchi thawed before cooking.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
