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Parmesan Spinach Gnocchi

This easy parmesan spinach sauce is the perfect cheesy accompaniment to soft, pillowy gnocchi. A great, quick gnocchi recipe for easy weeknight meals!

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Gnocchi with spinach and alfredo sauce in a white bowl with a fork lifting one gnocchi out of the bowl I still remember the first time I ever had gnocchi. I was young – maybe 10? – and we were grabbing lunch as a family at some restaurant (maybe we were on vacation? This “I totally remember” thing is really more like “I have a gery loose outline of questionable accuracy”) and then I think I got….something….that had a few gnocchi in the bottom. In like a sauce? Maybe there was fish? (Maybe also I should stop playing it so fast and loose with the whole “let me tell you this great story I totally remember” thing ?).

MOVING ON.

This is the part I do remember: My Mom: “You should try one of the gnocchi! They’re so good!” Me: “Eww. No. They look weird.” Mom: “But it’s like potato pasta!” Me: “……fine.” *takes bite* *MIND IS BLOWN*

The end. (Thanks, Mom). fresh spinach in a white bowl on a white background

Wow. You guys. That story was SOOOOOOO much better in my head. (But am I going to stop what I’m doing, go back, edit it, and make it any less terrible? Probably [definitely] not. ONWARD!)

Gnocchi in a parmesan cream sauce in a small bowl on a white background

SO ANYWAY. Gnocchi. Since my very first bite, we’ve been soulmates.

And while I’m 100% a fan of letting the soft, decadent gnocchi shine on its own with a bit of simple browned butter or a light tomato sauce, sometimes (and I think you’ll agree, sweet internet friends) SOMETIMES, you just have to COVER THAT ISH IN CHEESE. ⬇⬇⬇

Gnocchi with white sauce and spinach in a large pot being stirred by a red spatula parmesan-spinach-orzo

And, okay, as far as cheese sauces go, this Parmesan Spinach Gnocchi Sauce is definitely on the lighter side. Just a hint of garlic and a bit of parmesan cheese go a long way, and the spinach adds some beautiful deep green color that allllllllmost makes it to health food territory.

The best part, though? Gnocchi cooks riDONKulously fast, so you can have this pot o’ cheesy gnocchi goodness on the table in under 30 minutes. Serve it as a side dish or toss in some grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp to add a bit of protein and make it a full meal. Or (ORRRRR) faceplant right into the pot with reckless gnocchi abandon. But, y’know, up to you.

Gnocchi with spinach on a white background with fresh spinach in the background

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Parmesan Spinach Gnocchi

★★★★★ 4.8 from 45 reviews
  • Author: Jessie
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4 1x
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Description

Easy parmesan spinach sauce with pillowy gnocchi.

Scale

Ingredients

  • 16 oz. potato gnocchi
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp. flour
  • 1.25 cups milk
  • 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese (if you’re a strict vegetarian, look for parmesan cheese made without rennet)

Instructions

  1. Cook the gnocchi according to package directions. Drain, set aside, and return the empty pot to the stove.
  2. Melt butter over medium heat.
  3. Add garlic to butter and sauté for about a minute until garlic is fragrant.
  4. Add flour to butter and whisk to form a roux. Cook for 30 seconds or so to cook out any raw flour taste.
  5. Slowly add milk to roux, whisking constantly to break up any lumps. Cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce has just begun to thicken.
  6. Stir chopped spinach into sauce and cook 3-5 minutes more until spinach has wilted and sauce has thickened.
  7. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Remove pot from heat.
  9. Add parmesan cheese to sauce and stir to combine.
  10. Return cooked gnocchi to sauce and stir to combine. Serve immediately.

Notes

Depending on the size of your gnocchi (and your personal preferences!) you may have a little more or less sauce than you need. To thin out a too-thick sauce or to stretch your sauce a little further, stir in a bit of extra milk until you’ve reached your desired consistency.

Add grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp to this recipe for extra protein.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 396
Parmesan Spinach Gnocchi | This easy parmesan spinach sauce is the perfect cheesy accompaniment to soft, pillowy gnocchi. A great, quick recipe for easy weeknight meals - one of our favorite gnocchi recipes!
Parmesan Spinach Gnocchi | This easy parmesan spinach sauce is the perfect cheesy accompaniment to soft, pillowy gnocchi. A great, quick recipe for easy weeknight meals - one of our favorite gnocchi recipes!
Parmesan Spinach Gnocchi | This easy parmesan spinach sauce is the perfect cheesy accompaniment to soft, pillowy gnocchi. A great, quick recipe for easy weeknight meals!

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Comments

  1. I found this recipe to be delicious. My husband and I both really enjoyed it. May need a bit more garlic next time but I will definitely be using this recipe again! Very easy to make. I had some sauce left over that I froze for a quick meal in the future. Will try adding chicken to the gnocchi next time.

    ★★★★

    Reply

  2. The perfect side dish for our filet mignon. I have bookmarked this recipe as one of my favorites. One suggestion would be, is to add the heat flame temperatures. A slightly skilled cook could pull it off without them, but a beginner might not have the right heat flame level figured out. Thanks for an amazing recipe.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  7. Very easy and very tasty, my kids ate in and I was able to make this quickly while caring for a little one. Will make again

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  9. The first time I made this it came out great and I loved it… but my husband prefers more salt so the second time I used salted butter and added a dash of garlic powder. Again it was super yummy and perfectly pairs with any meat/seafood! Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  12. I’m sorry I found this to be very pasty and bland. I wish I would have read the reviews first. I tried to rescue it by adding more garlic, some sautéed red onion and mushrooms

    ★★

    Reply

  14. This was good! It could have used a bit more garlic, and I would’ve preferred to fry the gnocchi a little bit after boiling, but it was altogether quite good!

    ★★★★

    Reply