Oh, I absolutely love sharing this Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe because it s just one of those dishes that feels both comforting and a little luxurious at the same time. When you re craving something rich but surprisingly simple to make, this gnocchi hits all the right notes with its creamy sauce and fragrant herbs. It s perfect for a cozy night in or when you want to impress someone without spending hours in the kitchen.
When I first tried this recipe, I was blown away by how quickly it comes together and how those sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of flavor that makes every bite memorable. You ll find that this Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe is truly a crowd-pleaser, and it s so versatile that you can easily tweak it for different occasions. Plus, the creamy Parmesan sauce means this gnocchi is guaranteed to have everyone asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: This recipe comes together in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy evenings.
- Creamy & Flavorful: The combination of Parmesan, cream, and sun-dried tomatoes makes every bite heavenly.
- Versatile Dish: You can easily swap ingredients or add veggies to suit your taste or dietary needs.
- Crowd-Pleaser: I ve served this to family and friends, and it never fails to impress and satisfy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe strike a great balance between pantry staples and fresh flavors. I love how the sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil lift the dish beyond an ordinary creamy pasta, and the vegetable broth helps build flavor while keeping it light.
- Olive oil: Choose a good quality extra virgin olive oil to maximize flavor.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic ensures the best aroma and taste.
- Italian seasoning: A blend is convenient and adds classic herbal notes.
- Vegetable broth: Use low-sodium if you want more control over saltiness.
- Gnocchi: Store-bought works beautifully, and it cooks quickly.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Opt for those packed in oil for richer flavor, just drain and chop.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Adjust to your preferred spice level or skip if you want mild.
- Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning throughout the cooking process.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground is best to boost the dish’s depth.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated really makes a difference in creaminess and taste.
- Heavy whipping cream: Adds perfect richness without overpowering the other flavors.
- Baby spinach: Adds color, nutrients, and a fresh balance to the creamy sauce.
- Fresh basil leaves: Always use fresh for that bright, herbaceous finish.
Variations
I love encouraging you to make this Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe your own-it s super flexible. Over time, I’ve played around with different ingredients and welcome you to do the same to fit your cravings or what you have on hand.
- Add protein: I often toss in cooked chicken or Italian sausage for an even heartier meal that my family adores.
- Make it vegetarian: Just be sure the broth is vegetarian-friendly, and you re good to go.
- Dairy-free version: Swap heavy cream and Parmesan with coconut cream and nutritional yeast-it’s delicious in a pinch.
- Extra veggies: Try adding mushrooms or roasted red peppers for a seasonal twist.
How to Make Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by heating olive oil over medium-low heat in a large skillet. Once warm, add your minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Sauté gently for about one minute until fragrant-you don t want to burn the garlic, so keep the heat moderate and stir often. This step builds your base flavor, so take your time to appreciate that wonderful aroma filling the kitchen.
Step 2: Add Broth and Gnocchi
Carefully pour in the vegetable broth, making sure to stir and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the pan. Then, toss in the gnocchi, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Turn up the heat just enough to bring everything to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer. Cover the pan and let it cook for about 5 minutes, until the gnocchi is tender and has soaked up some of that flavorful broth.
Step 3: Wilt Spinach and Finish the Sauce
Once the gnocchi is cooked, remove the lid and stir in the chopped baby spinach. Cook uncovered for about a minute until the spinach wilts and blends into the sauce beautifully. Now it s time to stir in the Parmesan cheese, heavy whipping cream, and the fresh basil ribbons. Give everything a good mix and taste for seasoning-add more salt or pepper if you want that extra pop of flavor.
Step 4: Serve with a Gorgeous Finish
Spoon the gnocchi onto plates and top with additional Parmesan, fresh basil, and a sprinkle more of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. It s that simple but so satisfying-I promise the beautiful creamy sauce and herbaceous notes make every bite worth savoring.
Pro Tips for Making Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe
- Use room temperature ingredients: I ve found that letting the cream and cheese sit out briefly helps everything incorporate smoothly, avoiding clumps.
- Don t overcook gnocchi: Gnocchi cooks fast-if you simmer too long it can get mushy, so keep an eye on that 5-minute mark.
- Fresh herbs are a game changer: Adding fresh basil at the end brightens the dish and prevents it from feeling too heavy.
- Adjust seasoning patiently: Adding salt and pepper in stages lets you reach perfect balance without going overboard.
How to Serve Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe
Garnishes
Whenever I serve this, I love topping it with extra fresh basil leaves and a generous sprinkle of shredded Parmesan right at the end for a fresh, melty finish. If you re into a little kick, crushed red pepper flakes add lovely warmth that complements the creamy sauce perfectly.
Side Dishes
This creamy gnocchi pairs superbly with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette or roasted asparagus for a bit of crisp greenery. I ve also served it alongside garlic bread to make a complete, indulgent meal that my family goes crazy for.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I ve plated this gnocchi in shallow bowls and added a drizzle of good-quality balsamic glaze over the top for an elegant pop of color and tang. You can also sprinkle toasted pine nuts for extra texture and make it feel restaurant-worthy with minimal fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I like to store any leftover Marry Me Gnocchi in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The sauce thickens as it sits, so before reheating I usually add a splash of broth or cream to loosen it up and keep it silky.
Freezing
In my experience, gnocchi doesn t always freeze perfectly due to its delicate texture, so I don t usually freeze this dish. But if you want to, freeze the sauce separately and cook fresh gnocchi when you re ready-that way you get the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, I gently warm the leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat with a bit of broth or cream added. Stir frequently until heated through and creamy again-microwaving usually makes it uneven or too thick for my taste.
FAQs
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Can I use store-bought gnocchi for this Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe?
Absolutely! Store-bought gnocchi works wonderfully and cooks quickly, making this recipe a perfect quick meal. Just follow the cooking instructions on the package if needed, but usually this recipe s method works well for fresh or packaged gnocchi.
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Is this Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe vegetarian?
Yes, as long as you use vegetable broth and Parmesan cheese that s suitable for vegetarians, this dish is completely vegetarian. You can also easily make it vegan-friendly by swapping in plant-based cream and cheese alternatives.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Definitely! Just use gluten-free gnocchi, which many stores carry now. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so it s an easy swap for those with gluten sensitivities.
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How spicy is this recipe?
The crushed red pepper flakes add a gentle warmth, but it s very mild overall. You can easily customize the heat by adding more flakes or leaving them out if you prefer no spice at all.
Final Thoughts
I can t recommend this Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe enough-it s one of those meals that feels special yet comes together so easily, making it a total kitchen win. Whether you re cooking for a loved one or just treating yourself, the creamy, herby sauce that clings to those pillowy gnocchi bites will have everyone swooning. Give it a try, and I promise it might just become one of your favorite go-to comfort foods too.
Print
Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Marry Me Gnocchi is a creamy, flavorful one-pan Italian-inspired dish featuring tender gnocchi simmered in a rich sauce of vegetable broth, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan, finished with fresh spinach and basil for a vibrant, comforting meal perfect for quick dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 medium cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 16 ounces gnocchi
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (plus more to taste)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups baby spinach (roughly chopped)
- 5-6 fresh basil leaves (chiffonaded, plus more for garnish)
Toppings
- Basil leaves
- Shredded Parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for additional heat)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil and sauté garlic and Italian seasoning: Place a large sauté pan over medium-low heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Sauté for about one minute until the garlic is tender and fragrant, ensuring it doesn’t burn.
- Add vegetable broth and gnocchi: Stream in the vegetable broth while stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Then add the gnocchi, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, crushed red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir everything to combine.
- Simmer gnocchi until tender: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pan. Let it cook gently for about 5 minutes until the gnocchi are tender and cooked through.
- Wilt the spinach and finish the sauce: Remove the lid and stir in the roughly chopped baby spinach. Cook for about one minute until the spinach wilts. Then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, heavy whipping cream, and fresh chiffonaded basil leaves. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper as desired.
- Serve with toppings: Serve the gnocchi hot, topped with additional Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, and crushed red pepper flakes if you want extra heat.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use high-quality Parmesan cheese and sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil (drain well).
- You can substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth if not vegetarian.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes according to your heat preference.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free gnocchi.
- This recipe is best enjoyed immediately but leftovers can be stored in the fridge and gently reheated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
