This Creamy Gnocchi Recipe is the ultimate comfort food, delivering a restaurant-quality meal in just 20 minutes. Imagine tender, pillowy gnocchi swimming in a rich and velvety garlic parmesan sauce, studded with vibrant green spinach. It’s the perfect, elegant solution for busy weeknights when you’re craving something special without the fuss. If you’re looking for an easy, one-pan dish that will impress everyone, this is it.
Why You’ll Love This 20-Minute Creamy Gnocchi Recipe
We all need more 20-minute meals in our back pocket, and this one is a true game-changer. It relies on simple, high-impact ingredients to create a sauce that tastes like it simmered for hours. The gnocchi cooks right in the sauce, absorbing all that delicious flavor and helping to thicken it at the same time.
- Incredibly Fast: From skillet to table in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for last-minute dinners.
- One-Pan Wonder: Fewer dishes mean less cleanup, a true weeknight win.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry and fridge staples you likely already have on hand.
- Endlessly Customizable: Easy to adapt with your favorite protein or veggies. For another quick and satisfying pasta dish, check out our 15-Minute Avocado Pasta (coming soon).
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this dish lies in its simplicity. We use a handful of core ingredients to build a deeply flavorful sauce that perfectly complements the soft gnocchi.
For the Gnocchi and Sauce
- Potato Gnocchi: One 16-ounce package of shelf-stable or refrigerated potato gnocchi works perfectly.
- Butter: Provides a rich base for the sauce. Unsalted is best so you can control the sodium.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is essential for the best flavor.
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Creates the liquid base of our sauce.
- Heavy Cream: The key to an ultra-creamy, luxurious texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest melt and best taste.
- Fresh Spinach: A few handfuls wilt down beautifully, adding color and nutrients.
- Seasoning: A simple mix of salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a tiny bit of warmth.
How to Make This Creamy Gnocchi Recipe Step-by-Step
Making this creamy gnocchi is as simple as it gets. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a stunning dinner on the table in no time. The key is to let the gnocchi cook directly in the simmering sauce.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30-60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Build the Sauce: Pour in the broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Cook the Gnocchi: Add the uncooked gnocchi directly to the skillet. Let them simmer in the sauce for 3-5 minutes, or until they become tender and float to the surface.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and the sauce has thickened. Add the fresh spinach and stir until it wilts completely. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan.
Pro Tips for Perfect Creamy Gnocchi
Even a simple recipe can benefit from a few expert tips. Here’s how to ensure your gnocchi comes out perfectly every single time.
- Don’t Pre-Boil The Gnocchi: For this specific recipe, cooking the gnocchi directly in the sauce is crucial. They release starch as they cook, which naturally thickens the sauce to the perfect consistency.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can prevent them from melting smoothly, resulting in a gritty sauce. A block of Parmesan is your best friend here.
- Control the Heat: Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer. Boiling it too aggressively can cause the cream to separate.
- Don’t Overcook: Gnocchi cook very quickly. As soon as they are tender and float, they are ready. Overcooking can make them mushy. For another creamy dinner favorite, try this Creamy Chicken Stroganoff (coming soon).
Delicious Variations to Try
This creamy gnocchi recipe is a fantastic base for creativity. Feel free to add other ingredients to make it your own.
- Add Protein: Stir in cooked, shredded chicken, sautéed shrimp, or crumbled Italian sausage for a heartier meal. It pairs wonderfully with flavors similar to our Parmesan Crusted Chicken (coming soon).
- More Veggies: Sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers are excellent additions.
- Change the Greens: Swap the spinach for chopped kale or arugula (stir it in at the very end).
- Make it Spicy: Increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
What to Serve with Creamy Gnocchi
This dish is incredibly satisfying on its own, but it also pairs well with a few simple sides to round out the meal.
- A simple green salad with a bright vinaigrette.
- Crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping into the delicious sauce.
- Roasted vegetables like Air Fryer Broccoli or asparagus.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover gnocchi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce as needed. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the gnocchi rubbery.
Creamy Gnocchi Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! This recipe is a great base for protein. You can stir in cooked, shredded chicken, crumbled Italian sausage, or sautéed shrimp during the last few minutes of cooking.
No, for this specific recipe, you should not boil the gnocchi first. The gnocchi cooks directly in the sauce, releasing starches that help to naturally thicken the sauce to a perfect, creamy consistency.
The key is not to overcook it. Gnocchi cooks very quickly, usually in 3-5 minutes. Once they are tender and float to the surface of the sauce, they are done. Remove the skillet from the heat promptly to prevent them from becoming mushy.
For the richest and creamiest sauce, heavy cream is recommended. However, you could substitute it with half-and-half or evaporated milk, though the sauce may be slightly less thick and decadent.
Both shelf-stable (vacuum-sealed) and refrigerated potato gnocchi work wonderfully in this creamy sauce. Choose your favorite brand, as the key is cooking it directly in the sauce.
The Ultimate Creamy Gnocchi Recipe
This dish proves that you don’t need a lot of time to create something truly delicious. It’s comfort in a bowl and a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
Creamy Gnocchi Recipe (Ready in 20 Minutes!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add the uncooked gnocchi to the skillet. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until tender and they float to the surface, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce has thickened.
- Add the fresh spinach and stir until it's completely wilted. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Serve immediately.
Notes
Tip 2: Do not pre-boil the gnocchi; cooking it in the sauce is key to thickening it.
Tip 3: For a heartier meal, add 1 cup of cooked, shredded chicken along with the spinach.
Share Your Creations!
We know you’ll fall in love with this simple and elegant Creamy Gnocchi Recipe. If you make it, please leave a comment below to let us know how it turned out! We’d also love for you to share your beautiful creations on Pinterest. Happy cooking!
