Description
This creamy spinach and mushroom gnocchi is a quick and delicious one-pan meal ready in just 20 minutes. Featuring sautéed crimini mushrooms, tender potato gnocchi, and a rich, flavorful cream sauce infused with garlic, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika, it’s a comforting and satisfying dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Fresh spinach adds a vibrant touch and a boost of nutrients, making this recipe both hearty and wholesome.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Herbs
- 8 oz crimini mushrooms, sliced
- 5 oz fresh spinach
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy & Liquids
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Dry & Spices
- 16 oz potato gnocchi (uncooked)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (or Herbs from Provence)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (plus extra for garnish)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (plus extra to taste)
- Coarsely ground black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
Instructions
- Cook mushrooms: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, high-sided, heavy-bottomed skillet over high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms seasoned with salt and pepper. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until they are lightly browned and softened. Remove half of the cooked mushrooms from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
- Make creamy sauce: In the same skillet with the remaining mushrooms, add the uncooked potato gnocchi, chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Cook gnocchi: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, cover the skillet with a lid and let the gnocchi cook for about 5 minutes while the sauce simmers.
- Add spinach: Remove the lid and add the fresh spinach to the skillet. Stir frequently and cook on medium heat for an additional 5 minutes or until the spinach has wilted to your preferred texture. Continue cooking longer if you prefer a thicker sauce.
- Season and assemble: Adjust seasoning by adding more salt, freshly ground black pepper, red pepper flakes, and extra smoked paprika if desired. Finally, top the gnocchi with the reserved sautéed mushrooms and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- You can add grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor if not vegan.
- Use fresh gnocchi if available, but frozen works well too—just adjust cooking time slightly.
- To thicken the sauce further, simmer uncovered for a few more minutes after adding spinach.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spiciness according to your taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: gnocchi, creamy sauce, spinach, mushrooms, one-pan meal, quick dinner, Italian recipe
