Creamy Gnocchi with Parmesan, Spinach, & Black Pepper

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Table of contents:

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How to Make Creamy Gnocchi with Parmesan

Ingredients

• 17oz. (500g) Gnocchi 
• Olive oil (we used Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
• 1 onion, diced fine
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup (250 ml) heavy cream (double cream in UK)
• 1 cup (packed) fresh spinach
• ½ tsp ground White Pepper 
• 1 Tbsp Dried Oregano
• 1 Tbsp Chili paste (Mild)
• 1 tsp Salt (to taste)
• ¼ cup loosely packed grated Parmesan cheese
• Freshly cracked black pepper

Optional ingredients

• Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Organic Garbanzo Beans
• Artichoke hearts

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Equipment

• Large pot with lid 
• Wooden spatula
• Chef Knife and cutting board
• Box grater

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Instructions

• Brown onion with a splash of oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant
• Reduce heat to medium. Add the dried oregano and white pepper and season to taste with some salt. 
• Add the chili paste and cream and stir through. Once bubbling, add the gnocchi. Simmer covered for 5 minutes.
• Add around 1 cup of water to thin out the cream (optionally, add more cream or some milk).
• Reduce heat to a low simmer. Add the spinach, cover, and simmer until the spinach has wilted (around 5 minutes). 
• Serve with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese and some freshly cracked black pepper.

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Cooking tips:

• Load up on herbs. We use 1 tablespoon of oregano but use as much (or as little) as you like. Don’t be afraid of adding other Italian herbs too. Dried Thyme, Rosemary, and basil will all work in this recipe. 
• Chili paste? Yep, you read right. It adds some subtle heat and just a little color to the creamy sauce! 
• Reduce heat before adding the cream as it will spit and splatter in a hot pan. 
• Not a fan of Spinach? No problem, sub it for your favorite green. Kale works great, as does leek or just double up the onion.
• We used parmesan cheese for this recipe but any cheese that melts well will work fine. Grated cheddar or mozzarella cheese are both good options.

Quick and Easy Creamy Gnocchi

Gnocchi is one of those recipes you just can’t get tired of. It’s quick and easy to prepare a meal with a bag of ready-made gnocchi. This recipe is no exception: It comes together in one pan in under 30 minutes and requires no special ingredients. The result is a rich and creamy gnocchi that’s easy to make and ideal as a weeknight dinner option or anytime you’re craving some creamy comfort food. 

What is Gnocchi?

Gnocchi (pronounced ‘nee-okie’) are small Italian dumplings typically made from potatoes, flour, and sometimes egg. They’re soft, pillowy, and slightly chewy, with a mild, comforting flavor. Although potato gnocchi is the most common variety, gnocchi can also be made from ingredients like ricotta cheese, semolina, or even spinach, which influence their taste and texture. 

Store-bought or homemade gnocchi

Both work just fine for this recipe. Of course, if you prefer to make your own gnocchi from scratch, allow extra time (see notes below on how to make homemade gnocchi).

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How to Make Homemade Gnocchi

To make gnocchi, boiled potatoes are mashed and mixed with flour to form a dough, which is then shaped into small pieces. Each piece is rolled or pressed with a fork or ridged board to create a grooved surface, helping the gnocchi hold onto sauces. 

After shaping, the gnocchi are boiled until they float, which signals they’re done and ready to be tossed with sauce. Alternatively, you can add them directly to a sauce, cover and simmer for around 10 minutes or until the gnocchi is cooked ‘al dente’ 

Cooking tip: Use a Potato Ricer or Box Grater to grate/mash the cooked potato finely (once done, it will look similar to grated mozzarella cheese). 

Equipment you’ll need to make homemade gnocchi

Making gnocchi at home isn’t too difficult, however, it is time-consuming and should be considered a labor of love. We recommend making gnocchi in a big batch and then freezing some for use later. 

Gnocchi is made easily at home with a few simple cooking tools. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Large Wooden Cutting Board – Bigger the better (For prepping the gnocchi)
• Bench scraper (for mixing the gnocchi)
• Potato Ricer or Box Grater (for mashing the gnocchi)
• Mesh Strainers (flour sieve)
• Gnocchi board
• Large baking sheet
• Silicone bags for food storage (for freezing batches)

Can you freeze homemade gnocchi?

Yes! Gnocchi freezes well. Simply add your prepared gnocchi to a freezer bag or airtight container and they will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Ingredients and substitutions

Gnocchi

A classic Italian recipe that is made from mashed potato, flour, and egg. Use either store bought of make your own. We used store-bought for convenience, but if you have the time, homemade gnocchi is not too hard to make. 

Parmesan Cheese

Parmesan cheese, officially known as Parmigiano-Reggiano, is a hard, granular cheese that originated in Italy and is renowned for its complex, nutty, and savory flavor. It’s traditionally produced in specific regions of Italy—namely Parma, Reggio Emilia, Bologna, Modena, and Mantua—under strict production standards that preserve its quality and authenticity.

In grocery stores, you may also see “Parmesan” products that don’t meet the strict standards of Parmigiano-Reggiano. They may be labeled as “Parmesan-style cheese,” but they don’t have the same quality, aging, or flavor depth as authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Spinach

Throw in some fresh spinach for a little color and flavor. Spinach is a nutritional powerhouse, It’s packed with essential nutrients and offers a wide range of health benefits. Spinach is good for heart health, bone health, helps support digestiv health, and is loaded with healthy antioxidants. 

Heavy Cream 

Known as Double cream in the UK and Australia, Heavy cream is one of the best ways to build a rich and creamy flavorful sauce for pasta and gnocchi recipes. Just a reminder though, all that goodness does come at a price, as heavy cream is high in fat and high in calories. 

While heavy cream is high in fat and calories, it’s fine in moderation. It can add a lot of flavor and texture to dishes, so you often don’t need much of it. If you’re looking to reduce fat intake, you might consider using lower-fat cream options or alternatives like Greek yogurt or coconut milk in recipes.

Herbs and Seasoning

We use a simple mix of pepper and some dried oregano to flavor and season this recipe. Just a half a teaspoon of white pepper helps bring some warmth to the dish, and a tablespoon of oregano adds a subtle layer of flavor. Other herbs can also be added: Rosemary, Thyme, or dried basil are all good options. 

Chili Paste

A little chili paste adds some mild heat to the sauce and also adds a little color. This ingredient is a great tip for warming up any pasta sauce recipes. We suggest using amild chili paste sparingly so it doesn’t overwhelm the other flavors of the dish.

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More Italian Pasta Recipes

• Lasagna Soup
• Chicken Tagliatelle Pasta With Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Spaghetti with Anchovies and Capers
• Caprese Pasta Salad (Insalata di Pasta Caprese)
• Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Tuna

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Nutrition Facts

Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	213
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16.9g	22%
Saturated Fat 7.9g	40%
Cholesterol 89mg	30%
Sodium 679mg	30%
Total Carbohydrate 12.5g	5%
Dietary Fiber 1.9g	7%
Total Sugars 2.5g
Protein 4.5g
Vitamin D 20mcg	100%
Calcium 89mg	7%
Iron 2mg	11%
Potassium 241mg	5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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