This pan-fried gnocchi with spinach is so good simple, quick and uses a handful of ingredients. The gnocchi is crispy and golden on the outside and fluffy on the inside with every mouthful, flavoured with sundried tomatoes, garlic and spinach.
If you are looking for a quick gnocchi recipe that promises huge and delicious flavour, this is it. Serve this dish with this homemade garlic bread.
Pan fried gnocchi recipe
Some days you want a quick recipe when you can’t be bothered to make some certain things from scratch, I know you are not alone. This is why I forgive myself with these store-bought premade gnocchi in packets. I love how they are affordable, although, I still think making yours from scratch is the best.
This pan-fried gnocchi is a game-changer, a miracle worker because every member of my family loves it. I cook this potato pasta from time to time using different methods and ingredients to switch up the flavour but they always vote for this pan fried one. It is perfect and makes a great dinner
They love how crispy it is on the outside and yet still packed with delicious flavour. Watching them put their fork into the dish and straight to their mouths till their plates are clear gives me joy.
You might be wondering why I boiled this gnocchi before pan-frying it, well, I do this because I am using a fresh one as opposed to the ones that are vacuumed packed and can be found in the dry aisle with other dried pasta. Also, I do it to get rid of all the extra floury coating from the pasta and I can add the pasta water to the dish if need be too.
Why this recipe is so good
It uses a handful of ingredients, in fact it uses less than 10 ingredients and you can make it in less than 30 minutes or less. Just like this lemon garlic pasta and canned tuna pasta, they are quick and super easy to make.
Gnocchi is a blank canvas and I love how you can build flavour in this dish and how no two recipes can taste the same.
When I cook this at home, I make two variations and serve both together as a meal. I will share more of my gnocchi recipes with you all soon. You can honestly have this recipe from the kitchen to your table in 10 minutes.
Related post: you will love this gnocchi bolognese and gnocchi al pomodoro recipe.
This recipe is perfect all year round as it is a perfect comforting food but I love it more in summer as you don’t have to weather the heat while making dinner. I boil my gnocchi for a minute less than instructed on the packet, in other not to overcook it.
I did not use butter in this recipe as there was no need for it but you can add it if you prefer. The flavour from the sundried tomatoes, parmesan cheese and spinach is enough to build huge flavour in this dish. Homemade gnocchi works well for this recipe too.
This is a great meatless Monday meal option the whole family would love. It is healthy, vegetarian and packed full of everything good for you. It is also a great alternative to your regular pasta dishes. You can make this recipe vegan by omitting the parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
500g store bought gnocchi, homemade works well too
Sundried tomatoes, substitute with fresh cherry tomatoes
Sundried tomato oil, this is usually the oil from the jar of the tomato, this is optional but it adds tons of flavour to the dish. You can substitute it with butter
Olive oil or any other cooking oil of choice
Dried sage
Baby spinach, washed and ready to use
Garlic granules, this can be substituted with one large fresh garlic clove
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
How to make pan fried gnocchi with spinach
Boil the fresh gnocchi in salted boiling water for 1 minute with a little bit of oil, this stops it from sticking together. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the boiled gnocchi to a bowl making sure you shake off excess water from it. Then transfer it on a kitchen towel to drain off more liquid. Reserve about a cup of the water and set aside.
Heat up some olive oil and sundried tomato oil in a skillet or frying pan until hot, carefully add the gnocchi making sure it is on a single layer so that each one touches the hot pan. Leave it to cook on that one side for about 2 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Using a fork or a slotted turner, flip the gnocchi to the other side. Add the sundried tomatoes, garlic granules, salt and pepper and carefully mix to combine. Cook for another 1 minute, then add the spinach with about ⅓ cup of the pasta water, cover the pan if you can so the spinach wilts, this takes about 1 minute.
Remove the lid then stir the dish, finally, add about a tablespoon of grated parmesan or as needed, stir to combine and take it off the heat. Serve immediately on its own with more parmesan cheese as a main meal or as a side dish. Enjoy!
What readers are saying about this recipe
Norma says: The potato gnocchi was delicious, especially with the fresh Parmesan cheese!
Monica says: Modified a little but it was soooo good. And easy.
Other meatless recipe you may like
If you made this super easy gnocchi with spinach recipe, don’t forget to leave me feedback. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox
Pan Fried Gnocchi with Spinach
Ingredients
- 500 g store-bought gnocchi homemade works well too
- 100 g sundried tomatoes cut in halve
- 1 tablespoon sundried tomato oil this is optional but great for flavour. substitute for butter
- 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 1 teaspoon garlic granules substitute with 1 fresh garlic clove
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese and more to serve
Instructions
- Boil the fresh gnocchi in salted boiling water for 1 minute with a little bit of oil, this stops it from sticking together. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the boiled gnocchi to a bowl making sure you shake off excess water from it. Then transfer it on a kitchen towel to drain off more liquid. Reserve about a cup of the water and set aside.
- Heat up some olive oil and sundried tomato oil in a skillet until hot, carefully add the gnocchi making sure it is on a single layer so that each one touches the hot pan. Leave it to cook on that one side for about 2 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- Using a fork or a slotted turner, flip the gnocchi to the other side. Add the sundried tomatoes, garlic granules, salt and pepper and carefully mix to combine. Cook for another 1 minute, then add the spinach with about ⅓ cup of the pasta water, cover the pan if you can so the spinach wilts, this takes about 1 minute. Remove the lid then stir the dish, finally, add about a tablespoon of grated parmesan or as needed, stir to combine and take it off the heat. Serve immediately on its own with more parmesan cheese as a main meal or as a side dish. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? PLEASE RATE IT AND LEAVE ME A COMMENT. USE #THEDINNERBITE OR TAG @THEDINNERBITE ON INSTAGRAM SO I CAN SEE YOUR PHOTOS, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR CREATIONS. THANK YOU!
Halana Ward says
I tried this recipe with a few subtle changes, using both fresh and sun dried tomatoes, and also adding can of rinsed garbanzo beans plus mushrooms. We are vegan, so used vegan parmesan and was a family hit...son says "I could eat this every single day"! What great combination with protein of chick peas for us. Thank you so much for this nice recipe.
Ajoke says
I'm glad that you enjoyed this recipe, Halana. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
Michele says
Hi. You pictured basil but keep mentioning you used sage. Basil makes more sense to me. I used fresh basil and it was delicious.
Becky says
I think what you are seeing is baby spinach, not basil.
Alisa says
This was amazing, I will definitely make this again.
Amanda says
My husband is a hard sell when it comes to vegetarian recipes. This one he’ll be asking me to make. Absolutely delicious!
Paula says
This was delicious. Followed the recipe and served with garlic flatbread. Wonderful!
Ajoke says
Yay, thanks you Paula, I am glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Grandma SweetiePie says
1/29/21. This simple dish is full of flavor and quite satisfying. I did add the sun dried tomato oil as suggested and I added red pepper flakes for a little kick. I served
this as a side dish to chicken thighs and ended up tossing
the chicken in with the gnocchi on my plate. Try this recipe;
it will not disappoint. Hats off to thedinnerbite for gnocchi
done very well. A new favorite in my recipe box!
Ajoke says
Thank you, Grandma SweetiePie, I am so glad you loved this recipe and for the great feedback.