Spinach Gnocchi
Spinach Gnocchi is a vibrant and comforting homemade dish featuring pillowy soft gnocchi infused with fresh spinach, offering mild earthiness and a stunning green color. Easy to prepare from scratch with simple ingredients, this versatile recipe pairs beautifully with a variety of sauces, making it perfect for family dinners or impressing guests.
- Author: Judy
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Spinach Gnocchi Dough
- 2 cups fresh spinach, wilted, squeezed dry, and finely chopped
- 2 large potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold), boiled and mashed
- 1 to 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
- Prepare the Spinach: Wash fresh spinach thoroughly. Wilt it in a hot pan or steam briefly, then squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Finely chop and set aside.
- Cook and Mash the Potatoes: Boil potatoes with skins on until tender. Drain, peel while warm, and mash thoroughly using a potato ricer or masher to avoid lumps.
- Combine Ingredients and Make Dough: In a large bowl, mix the mashed potatoes with chopped spinach, beaten egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg if desired. Gradually add flour and gently knead until a soft dough forms that holds together but isn’t sticky.
- Shape the Gnocchi: Divide the dough into smaller portions. Roll each into long ropes about 1 inch thick. Cut into bite-sized pieces, then use a fork to gently press and create ridges on each piece to help sauce cling.
- Cook the Gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drop gnocchi pieces in batches and cook until they float to the surface, about 2-3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Serve with Your Favorite Sauce: Toss the cooked gnocchi in your preferred sauce such as buttery sage, tomato basil, or creamy Alfredo and garnish as desired.
Notes
- Use starchy potatoes like Russet for the ideal texture—light and fluffy dough.
- Dry spinach well to prevent soggy dough and help gnocchi hold their shape.
- Handle dough gently and knead lightly to keep gnocchi tender and not tough.
- Test a small piece of dough by boiling to check texture before shaping all gnocchi; adjust flour if needed.
- Create ridges using a fork to allow sauces to cling better and maximize flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 6-8 gnocchi)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Spinach Gnocchi, homemade gnocchi, spinach pasta, comfort food, Italian gnocchi, vegetarian gnocchi