Description
Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi is a rich and comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender gnocchi sautéed to golden perfection and simmered in a luxurious sauce made with butter, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, vegetable stock, and Parmesan cheese. It is finished with fresh baby spinach and fragrant basil for a vibrant, flavorful meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 pound gnocchi, uncooked
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup vegetable stock
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, finely sliced
Instructions
- Melt Butter: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until bubbly, about 1 minute, to create a flavorful base for the dish.
- Sauté Gnocchi and Garlic: Add finely chopped garlic and uncooked gnocchi to the skillet. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi turns golden brown on most sides, approximately 5 minutes. At this stage, the gnocchi doesn’t need to be fully cooked.
- Add Seasonings and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Mix in chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the mixture is fragrant, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, vegetable stock, and sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything well and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and the gnocchi becomes tender, about 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate Spinach: Stir in the baby spinach and cook for about 1 minute until it wilts and combines with the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with freshly sliced basil, and serve the creamy Tuscan gnocchi immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the crushed red pepper to taste.
- You can substitute vegetable stock with chicken stock if preferred.
- To make this dish vegetarian, ensure the gnocchi and Parmesan cheese are free from animal rennet.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Fresh sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil will add more flavor than dried ones; adjust salt accordingly.
- Serve with a side of crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.