Juicy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Recipe

Introduction

This juicy smoked salmon gnocchi is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender gnocchi with a creamy, herb-infused tomato sauce. The addition of fresh spinach and smoked salmon creates a perfect balance of textures and tastes, making it ideal for a cozy dinner at home.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium shallot, minced
• 2 large garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/3 cup dry white wine (75 ml)
• 2 tablespoons concentrated tomato puree
• 1 teaspoon Italian herb blend
• 1 cup water (200 ml)
• 100 g fresh spinach leaves (3.5 oz)
• 180 g cream cheese
• Cooked gnocchi (quantity per package instructions)
• Hot smoked salmon, flaked (quantity to preference)
• Freshly chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large, deep pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced shallot and sauté for 1-2 minutes until soft and fragrant. Stir in the garlic and crushed red pepper, cooking for another minute to release the aromas.
2. Step 2: Pour in the white wine and cook until the alcohol mostly evaporates, allowing the flavors to concentrate.
3. Step 3: While the sauce simmers, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the gnocchi according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving some cooking water.
4. Step 4: Return to the pan and stir in the tomato puree and Italian herb blend. Add 200 ml of water (using some reserved gnocchi water if preferred) and bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Step 5: Add the spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Stir in the cream cheese and let it melt fully into the sauce, bubbling gently for about a minute.
6. Step 6: Gently fold the cooked gnocchi and flaked smoked salmon into the sauce, ensuring everything is coated evenly. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with freshly chopped parsley if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use reserved gnocchi cooking water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
• Substitute cream cheese with mascarpone for a richer, silkier sauce.
• Add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving to brighten the flavors.
• For extra heat, increase the crushed red pepper or add a pinch of chili flakes on top when serving.
• If smoked salmon isn’t available, use cooked salmon or even cooked shrimp as an alternative.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or cream to restore creaminess. Avoid microwaving aggressively to prevent the sauce from breaking.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen spinach. Be sure to thaw and drain it thoroughly before adding it to the sauce to avoid excess moisture.

How do I prevent the sauce from breaking?

Cook the sauce gently and avoid boiling after adding cream cheese. Stir frequently and reheat over low heat to maintain a smooth texture.

Juicy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Recipe

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4.9 from 93 reviews

This Juicy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi recipe offers a luscious blend of tender gnocchi, creamy tomato and spinach sauce, and flavorful smoked salmon. Sautéed shallots and garlic create an aromatic base, deglazed with white wine for depth, then enriched with cream cheese for a rich, velvety finish. Perfect for an elegant yet comforting meal, this dish comes together quickly on the stovetop and delivers restaurant-quality flavors at home.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Sauce Base

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium shallot, minced
• 2 large garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/3 cup dry white wine (75 ml)
• 2 tablespoons concentrated tomato puree
• 1 teaspoon Italian herb blend
• 1 cup water (200 ml)

Vegetables & Dairy

• 100 g fresh spinach leaves (3.5 oz)
• 180 g cream cheese

Main Ingredients

• Gnocchi (quantity as per package instructions, typically about 500 g)
• Flaked hot smoked salmon (approximately 150-200 g)

Optional Garnish

• Freshly chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced shallot and sauté for 1-2 minutes until soft and fragrant. Stir in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for an additional minute to release the aromatics.
2. Deglaze with White Wine: Pour the dry white wine into the pan and cook until the alcohol mostly evaporates, allowing the flavors to concentrate and deepen the sauce base.
3. Cook the Gnocchi: While preparing the sauce, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the gnocchi according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside, reserving some cooking water for later use if needed.
4. Build the Base of the Sauce: Return to the sauté pan and add the concentrated tomato puree along with the Italian herb blend. Stir everything together then pour in 200 ml of water (using reserved gnocchi water if desired). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to develop the sauce.
5. Incorporate Spinach and Cream Cheese: Add the fresh spinach to the simmering sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Then, stir in the cream cheese and allow it to melt completely, creating a creamy, rich sauce. Let it bubble gently for a minute to blend the flavors thoroughly.
6. Combine Gnocchi and Salmon: Gently fold the cooked gnocchi and flaked hot smoked salmon into the sauce. Ensure that everything is evenly coated. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with freshly chopped parsley for added color and freshness.

Notes

• Reserve some gnocchi cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
• Use hot smoked salmon for the best flavor; cold-smoked salmon can be used but will change the taste profile slightly.
• Fresh spinach can be substituted with baby kale or Swiss chard for variation.
• If cream cheese is unavailable, mascarpone or ricotta can be alternatives for a creamy texture.
• Serve this dish immediately to enjoy the softness of the gnocchi and freshness of the sauce.

Keywords: smoked salmon gnocchi, creamy gnocchi recipe, Italian gnocchi dish, stovetop gnocchi, tomato cream sauce, spinach gnocchi, quick dinner recipes