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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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). 
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!)
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. ⬇⬇⬇
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.
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Description
Easy parmesan spinach sauce with pillowy gnocchi.
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
- Cook the gnocchi according to package directions. Drain, set aside, and return the empty pot to the stove.
- Melt butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic to butter and sauté for about a minute until garlic is fragrant.
- Add flour to butter and whisk to form a roux. Cook for 30 seconds or so to cook out any raw flour taste.
- Slowly add milk to roux, whisking constantly to break up any lumps. Cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce has just begun to thicken.
- Stir chopped spinach into sauce and cook 3-5 minutes more until spinach has wilted and sauce has thickened.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove pot from heat.
- Add parmesan cheese to sauce and stir to combine.
- 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
Instead of flour, could I replaced it with cornstarch?
Delicious, didnt need to change a thing and so easy to make. Tastes like a high rated restaurant dish!
★★★★★
Wow thanks Renee!
I made this tonight and OMG, it was amazing. I added some pan grilled boneless skinless chicken thighs. Even our pickiest eater out of the 5 little crumb snatchers finished his plate.
★★★★★
I tried it out just to see what it would taste like and I loved it! My husband was curious and wanted a taste and he loved it as well. I saved the recipe.
★★★★★
Hi Colleen, so happy you both liked it! Thank you!
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.
★★★★
Hi Lauren, thank you!
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.
★★★★★
Hi Rachel, thank you!
this was amazing
★★★★★
Thank you Robyn!
Omg! This was mouth watering delicious!
Hello Scott, thank you and so happy you enjoyed it!
Best gnocchi recipe ever
★★★★★
Hi David, thank you!
Is there a brand of gnocchis you recommend?
Hi Becky, any store bought gnocchi is good to use.
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
★★★★★
Hi Christina! Great!
Just delicious. Easy and toddler friendly. It’s a keeper
★★★★★
Hey Patricia, thank you!
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!
★★★★★
Hi Moriah, Yes! It’s so yummy!
Pan fried the gnocchi, as per package directions. Then made recipe as stated. Omg good!
★★★★★
Hi Cari, YES! So glad it turned out well, thank you!
Added sliced mushrooms! Sooooooo Goooood! Quick dinner! Husband LOVED it!
★★★★★
Hi Heather, thank you and we are glad the hubby enjoyed it!
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
★★
Delicious and simple to make.
★★★★★
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!
★★★★
Hi Leila – thank you!