Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi Recipe

The Creamiest Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi Recipe You’ll Adore

Creamy spinach and mushroom gnocchi refines ordinary weeknight dinners into culinary celebrations of comfort and flavor.

Soft, pillowy potato dumplings nestle among earthy mushrooms and vibrant green spinach, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

This Italian-inspired dish promises a rich, velvety experience that satisfies deep hunger and nurtures the soul.

Delicate herbs and subtle seasonings elevate the gnocchi from simple to spectacular, offering a symphony of Mediterranean-inspired ingredients.

Hearty yet elegant, the recipe balances rustic charm with sophisticated culinary techniques that make home cooking feel like a gourmet adventure.

Each forkful brings warmth, depth, and a sense of connection to traditional cooking methods passed through generations.

creamy sauces and carefully selected ingredients invite you to slow down and savor every delightful bite.

Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi in One Pan

  • Savor Speedy Simplicity: This gnocchi recipe delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort, taking just 20 minutes from start to finish.
  • Relish Rich Layered Flavors: Smoky paprika, garlic, and Italian seasoning create a complex taste profile that elevates the humble ingredients into a gourmet experience.
  • Celebrate Creamy Comfort: The combination of heavy cream and chicken broth forms a velvety sauce that coats the pillowy gnocchi, making each bite luxuriously satisfying and warm.
  • Enjoy Nutritious Goodness: Packed with protein-rich gnocchi, nutrient-dense spinach, and hearty mushrooms, this dish balances deliciousness with wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients for Rich and Creamy Gnocchi With Spinach

Creamy Base Ingredients:
  • Gnocchi: Soft potato pasta that creates a hearty base for the dish, preferably fresh or vacuum-sealed for best texture.
  • Chicken Broth: Adds depth of flavor and helps cook the gnocchi, choose low-sodium for better control of saltiness.
  • Heavy Cream: Provides rich, velvety smoothness to the sauce, full-fat version recommended for best results.
Main Vegetable Ingredients:
  • Mushrooms, Spinach: Earthy mushrooms and tender spinach add nutritional value and robust flavor, select fresh and firm mushrooms with no dark spots.
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that intensifies overall taste, fresh minced garlic offers more vibrant flavor than pre-chopped.
  • Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients and provides smooth cooking base, extra virgin olive oil adds richer taste.
  • Italian Seasoning, Smoked Paprika, Red Pepper Flakes: Spice blend that creates complex, layered flavor profile, adjust according to personal heat preference.
Finishing Ingredients:
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing dish's overall taste, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum flavor.

How to Cook Gnocchi With Mushrooms Without Overdoing It

Step 1: Prepare Mushroom Base

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes until mushrooms turn golden and tender. Remove half the mushrooms and set aside on a plate.

Step 2: Create Luxurious Sauce

In the same skillet with remaining mushrooms, add:
  • Potato gnocchi
  • Chicken broth
  • Heavy cream
  • Minced garlic
  • Italian seasoning
  • Smoked paprika
  • Salt

Bring mixture to a boil, stirring well. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes, allowing gnocchi to cook and sauce to develop rich flavors.

Step 3: Incorporate Fresh Greens

Add fresh spinach to the skillet. Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently for 5 minutes until spinach wilts completely. For a thicker sauce, continue cooking slightly longer.

Step 4: Season and Finish

Enhance dish with additional:
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Smoked paprika (optional)

Step 5: Serve with Flair

Garnish with reserved mushrooms. Transfer to serving plates, ensuring each portion gets a generous mix of gnocchi, creamy sauce, and vegetables.

Tips to Keep the Cream Sauce Silky, Not Gummy

  • Mushroom Mastery: Select fresh, firm mushrooms like cremini or shiitake for the best flavor and texture, ensuring they're thoroughly cleaned and sliced evenly.
  • Gnocchi Perfection: Choose vacuum-sealed or fresh gnocchi for the most tender results, avoiding frozen varieties that can become mushy during cooking.
  • Sauce Secrets: Stir the sauce constantly to prevent scorching and help the gnocchi absorb the creamy liquid for maximum flavor infusion.
  • Spinach Selection: Use fresh baby spinach for a tender, quick-wilting green that adds vibrant color and nutritional boost to the dish.
  • Seasoning Sophistication: Taste and adjust seasonings gradually, allowing the smoked paprika and red pepper flakes to enhance the dish's depth without overwhelming the delicate flavors.

Store Creamy Gnocchi Without Clumping It Up

  • Refrigerate: Transfer cooled gnocchi to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the container sealed to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
  • Reheat in Skillet: Warm gnocchi over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore moisture and prevent sticking. Stir gently to distribute heat evenly and prevent burning.
  • Microwave Option: Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure uniform heating. Add a small amount of liquid to prevent dryness and maintain the sauce's creamy texture.

Perfect Plates to Pair With This Gnocchi

  • Pair with Bright Chardonnay: The creamy sauce and earthy mushrooms harmonize beautifully with a crisp, unoaked Chardonnay that cuts through the richness while complementing the dish's subtle flavors.
  • Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: A golden, toasted slice of garlic bread provides the perfect crunchy texture contrast to the soft gnocchi and helps soak up the delicious creamy sauce.
  • Match with Peppery Arugula Salad: A light, zesty arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette offers a fresh, peppery counterpoint to the rich and creamy gnocchi, balancing the dish's indulgent nature.
  • Complement with Pinot Noir: A light-bodied, fruity Pinot Noir enhances the earthy mushroom flavors while providing a smooth, elegant wine pairing that doesn't overpower the delicate gnocchi.

Flavorful Swaps and Additions to the Classic Gnocchi

  • Vegan Veggie Gnocchi: Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Add plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh for extra nutrition.
  • Mediterranean Herb Gnocchi: Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and fresh basil. Replace smoked paprika with za'atar seasoning for a zesty Mediterranean flavor profile.
  • Spicy Southwestern Gnocchi: Mix in roasted green chiles, black beans, and swap Italian seasoning for cumin and chili powder. Top with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime for a bold southwestern kick.
  • Cheesy Alpine Gnocchi: Stir in gruyère and parmesan cheese during the sauce stage. Sprinkle crispy bacon bits and fresh thyme for a rich, mountain-inspired variation.
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Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi Recipe

Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi Recipe


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4.7 from 39 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Creamy spinach and mushroom gnocchi delivers Italian comfort with a delightful vegetarian twist. Pillowy potato dumplings swim in rich, earthy sauce that blends silky spinach and savory mushrooms, promising a satisfying meal you’ll crave again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 16 ounces (454 grams) potato gnocchi
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) crimini mushrooms, sliced
  • 5 ounces (142 grams) fresh spinach
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth

Aromatics and Seasonings:

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbs from Provence
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Coarsely ground black pepper
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

Finishing Ingredients:

  • Salt
  • Pepper

Instructions

  1. Sizzle sliced mushrooms in a generous glug of olive oil over medium-high heat, coaxing them to golden-brown perfection with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Transfer half the caramelized fungi to a waiting plate.
  2. In the same skillet, introduce potato gnocchi to a luxurious bath of chicken broth, heavy cream, fragrant garlic, Italian seasoning, and smoky paprika. Let the liquid dance and bubble, gently enveloping the pillowy dumplings.
  3. Cover the skillet, allowing the gnocchi to simmer and absorb the velvety sauce, transforming into tender morsels of deliciousness.
  4. Cascade fresh spinach into the bubbling mixture, stirring consistently until the emerald leaves wilt and integrate seamlessly with the creamy concoction.
  5. Taste and adjust the seasoning, sprinkling additional salt, cracked black pepper, fiery red pepper flakes, and an extra whisper of smoked paprika to elevate the flavor profile.
  6. Artfully scatter the reserved caramelized mushrooms across the surface, creating a rustic, appetizing presentation that promises a symphony of textures and tastes.

Notes

  • Quick and easy one-pan meal that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy creamy gnocchi dish.
  • Perfectly caramelized mushrooms add deep, rich umami flavor that elevates the entire recipe.
  • Cooking gnocchi directly in the sauce ensures maximum flavor absorption and creates a luxurious, velvety texture.
  • Fresh spinach wilts beautifully, adding vibrant color, nutrients, and a slight peppery taste to the creamy sauce.
  • Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes and smoked paprika to suit personal spice preferences.
  • Ideal for busy weeknights, requiring only 15-20 minutes from start to finish with minimal cleanup.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 610
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 540 mg
  • Fat: 29 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 73 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 14 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Liam O'Brien

Liam O’Brien

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Traditional Irish Dishes
  • Farm-to-Table Cooking
  • Recipe Creation
  • Teaching Cooking Skills
  • Sustainable Food Practices

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (now Technological University Dublin)

  • Program: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in cooking techniques, kitchen management, and exploring both Irish and international cuisines.

Ballymaloe Cookery School, County Cork, Ireland

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Farm-to-table cooking, emphasizing the use of fresh, local ingredients and traditional cooking methods.

Liam O’Brien is the co-founder and kitchen soul behind Good Tasting Meals, a chef who believes that cooking shouldn’t feel stressful or complicated.

He earned his culinary stripes at Technological University Dublin and polished his farm-to-table skills at Ballymaloe Cookery School. With over 15 years flipping pans and stirring up stories, Liam has worked in family cafés, bustling bistros, and everything in between.

At Good Tasting Meals, Liam brings you recipes that feel like home: cozy, simple, and full of flavor.

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