One Pot Tomato Gnocchi with Spinach Recipe
If you’ve ever found yourself craving a warm, comforting meal with restaurant-level flavor but without a mountain of dirty dishes, let me introduce you to my absolute favorite weeknight hero: One Pot Tomato Gnocchi with Spinach Recipe. In just 25 minutes, pillowy gnocchi, rich tomato sauce, and fresh spinach swirl together into a creamy, cheesy skillet dinner—no need for fancy techniques or complicated prep. This Italian-inspired classic hits all the right notes: hearty, vibrant, and secretly quite healthy, it’s a dish I turn to whenever I need something cozy but fuss-free.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity: every ingredient brings a pop of flavor, texture, or color that makes the whole dish sing. You don’t need a long grocery list or hard-to-find items—each element is essential, and together they create pure magic.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps soften the onions and garlic for a flavorful base.
- Garlic: Gives this dish its irresistible aroma and a hint of sweetness once sautéed.
- Onion: Finely chopped for background sweetness and depth in the sauce.
- Crushed tomatoes: The backbone of your sauce, bringing bright, concentrated tomato flavor.
- Vegetable broth: Lightens and extends the sauce while keeping everything nice and saucy.
- Heavy cream: Lends that dreamy silkiness and balances out the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Dried Italian seasoning: All the herby flavor with no extra chopping required.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): For a gentle kick if you like a little heat.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings to wake up all the flavors.
- Shelf-stable potato gnocchi: These soft little dumplings soak up the sauce and cook up tender right in the pot.
- Fresh baby spinach: Wilts into the sauce for extra nutrition and a pop of beautiful green.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Melts into the sauce for a salty, savory finish.
- Chopped fresh basil (optional): Adds a fragrant, fresh garnish and a burst of color on top.
How to Make One Pot Tomato Gnocchi with Spinach Recipe
Step 1: Sauté Aromatics
Start by heating your olive oil in a large, deep skillet or sturdy pot over medium heat. Toss in the finely chopped onion and let it cook until it begins to soften and turn a little translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and give everything a good stir. Let the garlic cook for just 30 seconds—you want to smell that incredible fragrance, but be careful not to let it brown.
Step 2: Build the Creamy Tomato Sauce
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, along with the vegetable broth, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you’re feeling spicy. Don’t forget to season with salt and black pepper! Stir everything together and bring it up to a gentle simmer. The sauce will start to bubble and take on a gorgeous, savory aroma.
Step 3: Cook the Gnocchi
Add the gnocchi straight into your bubbling sauce. Give it a good stir so each dumpling is coated in all that creamy, herbed tomato goodness. Pop a lid on your pot and let it cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. The gnocchi will become tender and the sauce will thicken beautifully as the starches meld with the other ingredients.
Step 4: Add the Spinach
When the gnocchi is just tender and the sauce feels just right, it’s time for the spinach. Toss in three generous cups of fresh baby spinach and gently stir it through the hot sauce. It may look like a lot at first, but spinach wilts down quickly in just a minute or two, melting into vibrant green ribbons throughout the pot.
Step 5: Finish with Parmesan
Take the pot off the heat and sprinkle in your grated Parmesan cheese. Give everything a final stir—the cheese melts seamlessly into the sauce, adding an incredible depth and creaminess that’s absolutely irresistible. Ladle the One Pot Tomato Gnocchi with Spinach Recipe into bowls right away, and don’t forget a sprinkle of fresh basil if you’ve got some on hand.
How to Serve One Pot Tomato Gnocchi with Spinach Recipe
Garnishes
The finishing touches can turn your One Pot Tomato Gnocchi with Spinach Recipe from “simple dinner” to “special occasion.” A bold shower of extra Parmesan, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, or a handful of torn fresh basil add extra layers of flavor and color. If you’re feeling fancy, drizzle a little high-quality olive oil across the top for shiny, photo-ready bowls.
Side Dishes
While this hearty dish is perfectly tasty on its own, I love to serve it with a basket of warm, crusty bread—ideal for mopping up every last drop of sauce. A simple green salad dressed in lemony vinaigrette provides a zippy, fresh contrast. And if you’re feeding a crowd, roasted vegetables or a chilled antipasto platter round out the meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Don’t be afraid to have some fun with plating! Serve the gnocchi family-style in the pot for easy, rustic charm, or spoon it into shallow bowls and top with a twirl of crisped basil leaves. For a playful twist, try serving individual portions in mini cast iron skillets—everyone will feel a little extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, scoop any leftovers into an airtight container and stash them in the refrigerator. The One Pot Tomato Gnocchi with Spinach Recipe keeps well for up to three days, and the flavors deepen as they sit, making for a fabulous lunch the next day.
Freezing
If you’d like to make this recipe ahead for future cravings, simply cool the gnocchi completely, then pack it into freezer-safe containers. It freezes well for up to two months. For best results, skip the fresh basil garnish until you’re ready to serve.
Reheating
Gently reheat leftovers in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave. Add a splash of broth or water if the sauce seems a bit thick, and stir often to prevent sticking. Freshen it up with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan or a leaf of basil just before serving for that straight-from-the-pan taste.
FAQs
Can I use frozen gnocchi instead of shelf-stable?
Absolutely! If you have frozen gnocchi, just add it straight to the simmering sauce. You may need to tack on an extra minute or two to the cook time, but it will turn out just as delicious.
How can I make this dish vegan?
Very easily! Swap the heavy cream for a plant-based alternative (like cashew or coconut cream), and use a vegan Parmesan-style cheese, or simply skip the cheese for a lighter version. The dish will still be rich and flavorful.
Is it possible to add extra protein?
Certainly! Toss in cooked chicken sausage slices or a can of drained white beans when you add the gnocchi. This is a great way to customize the One Pot Tomato Gnocchi with Spinach Recipe to your needs and make it even more satisfying.
What can I substitute for spinach?
If you don’t have spinach, try stirring in kale, Swiss chard, or even arugula at the end. All of these leafy greens will add nutrition and color, and they wilt beautifully into the sauce.
Can I double the One Pot Tomato Gnocchi with Spinach Recipe?
Definitely! Just use a big enough pot to prevent overflow, and maybe give things an extra minute or two to heat through. It’s a fantastic option for feeding a group, especially since leftovers keep so well.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly satisfying about a dish that brings big flavor with minimal effort, and this One Pot Tomato Gnocchi with Spinach Recipe checks all those boxes and more. Whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy meal for friends, I genuinely hope you give this one a try—the combination of soft gnocchi, creamy tomato sauce, and fresh greens never fails to win hearts around my table!
Print
One Pot Tomato Gnocchi with Spinach Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This One Pot Tomato Gnocchi with Spinach recipe is a quick and flavorful dish that combines pillowy gnocchi with a creamy tomato sauce and nutritious spinach. Perfect for a satisfying vegetarian dinner!
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 (16-ounce) package shelf-stable potato gnocchi
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: In a large skillet or pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Cook onion and garlic: Add chopped onion and cook until softened. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add remaining ingredients: Stir in crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Cook gnocchi: Add gnocchi to the sauce, cover, and cook until tender and sauce thickens.
- Add spinach: Stir in fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
- Finish and serve: Remove from heat, stir in Parmesan cheese, garnish with basil, and serve hot.
Notes
- To make this dish vegan, use plant-based cream and skip Parmesan or use a vegan alternative.
- For extra protein, add cooked chicken sausage or white beans.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
