Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi (One-Pan, 20 Minutes)

One-pan spinach and mushroom gnocchi

If you want an easy, tasty, filling, and meatless dinner, give this recipe a try! This one-pan meal takes only 20 minutes and is sure to become a family favorite. This recipe is packed with vegetables and uses shelf-stable store-bought gnocchi. Everything is cooked in one pan, including the gnocchi! The simplicity of the creamy spinach and mushroom gnocchi makes it a perfect choice for a busy weeknight. This creamy restaurant-quality comfort food dish is meatless, yet satisfying. If you want to add some protein, check out this delicious chicken gnocchi for some ideas.

What kind of gnocchi to use?

• Shelf-stable gnocchi (dry, packaged) is the best kind of gnocchi that will work with this creamy sauce. You can usually find dry packaged gnocchi in many grocery stores in the same aisle as pasta. I used store-bought potato gnocchi, Delallo brand, made with 85% potatoes.
• Refrigerated gnocchi – you can find those, you guessed it, in the refrigerated pasta section of some grocery stores!
• Cauliflower gnocchi sold by Trader Joe’s can also be used in this recipe without making any changes.
• Can you use homemade gnocchi? Probably not, as they are likely to fall apart or turn into mush in a sauce-based recipe like this one.

Do you have to precook gnocchi?

No, the gnocchi takes only 5 minutes to cook and you cook them right in the sauce (heavy cream + broth). Also, the starch released from gnocchi helps to thicken the sauce as well. I use heavy cream in this recipe, but half-and-half can be used instead. Cooking the gnocchi in the same pan as the other ingredients saves you one more pan to clean and minimizes the cleanup.

Ingredients

• Gnocchi. I used store-bought potato gnocchi, Delallo brand, made with 85% potatoes.
• Spinach. I use fresh spinach and wilted it right in the sauce. You can also use frozen spinach – thawed and drained of any liquid. Or, use kale instead.
• Mushrooms. I used fresh crimini mushrooms. You can also use portobello mushrooms or shiitake.
• Heavy cream provides the desired creaminess. You can also use half-and-half.
• Olive oil is used for sauteeing mushrooms.
• Chicken broth is combined together with heavy cream to cook the gnocchi. You can also use vegetable or beef broth (or stock). Or, even water if don’t have chicken stock available.
• Italian seasoning adds a ton of flavor to creamy spinach and mushroom gnocchi.
• Smoked paprika is another spice that adds both color and lots of flavor to this dish.
• Garlic. I used fresh minced garlic. It adds aroma and pungency to any dish.
• Salt and pepper. Use those to taste. I recommend using freshly ground or coarse black pepper.
• Red pepper flakes will add heat. Use these sparingly, to taste, so that they don’t overwhelm the dish.

How to cook one-pan gnocchi

This easy recipe is done in 4 simple steps.

1) Cook mushrooms. Start by cooking the sliced mushrooms seasoned with salt and pepper in olive oil in a large high-sided skillet. Remove half of them to the plate.

2) Make the creamy sauce and cook the gnocchi. Next, to the same skillet with the half of cooked mushrooms, add uncooked potato gnocchi, chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Bring to a boil on medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes on medium heat, while the sauce boils.

3) Add fresh spinach, and cook on medium heat until the spinach wilts to your liking.

4) Assembly. Finally, assemble the dish by seasoning the creamy gnocchi with salt and pepper, as well as red pepper flakes and more smoked paprika. Top with the remaining half of the cooked mushrooms. Your dinner is ready!

Cooking tips

• Use shelf-stable packaged gnocchi for best results. Your next best choice is refrigerated gnocchi or cauliflower gnocchi. Homemade gnocchi can be fragile and fall apart in the sauce or turn into mush, so be careful if using homemade stuff.
• The sauce will thicken as this dish cools. In this case, add a splash of extra heavy cream, half-and-half, milk, or chicken broth to thin it out before serving.
• Use a high-sided, heavy-bottomed cooking pan such as a cast-iron skillet or a good-quality stainless steel pan. This will help avoid the burn spots and will ensure even cooking without food getting stuck to the bottom of the pan.
• Can you make it gluten-free? Yes! There is gluten-free gnocchi available online or in some grocery stores. Just make sure to check the label.

Storage and reheating tips

• Fridge. Store spinach and mushroom gnocchi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezer. I don’t recommend freezing this as I am not a fan of freezing cream-based sauces.
• Reheat on the stovetop. I recommend reheating this dish on the stovetop for the best results. After being refrigerated, the creamy gnocchi sauce will thicken. Reheat it slowly, over low-medium heat in a large, high-sided skillet on the stovetop. When using this method, add a small amount of heavy cream, half-and-half, milk, or broth to thin out the sauce when reheating.