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Healthy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi | Creamy 20-Minute Dinner Recipe

Healthy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi in a creamy sauce with spinach, perfect for Beginner-friendly Pasta Dinner Ideas on busy weeknights.
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Healthy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi is a creamy 20-minute dinner made with pillowy gnocchi, hot smoked salmon, spinach, tomato paste, and cream cheese instead of heavy cream. The result is rich, savory, and comforting while still feeling lighter than a traditional creamy pasta dish.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium shallot, finely diced
  • 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 75 ml (1/3 cup) dry white wine
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 200 ml (about 1 cup) water
  • 100 g (3.5 oz) fresh spinach
  • 180 g (6.5 oz) cream cheese
  • 500 g (1 lb) gnocchi
  • 225 g (1/2 lb) hot smoked salmon
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, optional for serving

Instructions

  1. Start the flavor base.
    Pour the olive oil into a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven and place it over medium heat. Once the oil is warm, add the finely diced shallot. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shallot softens and becomes fragrant.
  2. Add the garlic and chili.
    Stir the chopped garlic and red chili flakes into the softened shallot. Continue cooking for roughly one minute. Keep the heat moderate and stir often so the garlic turns aromatic without becoming dark or bitter.
  3. Deglaze the pan.
    Pour the dry white wine into the skillet. Stir well, scraping across the bottom of the pan to release any flavorful bits. Allow the wine to simmer until most of the alcohol evaporates and the liquid reduces slightly.
  4. Cook the gnocchi separately.
    While the sauce cooks, bring a separate pot of water to a boil. Cook the gnocchi according to the package instructions. Once cooked, reserve some of the cooking water before draining. This starchy liquid can help adjust the consistency of the sauce later.
  5. Add the tomato paste and herbs.
    Stir the tomato paste into the shallot mixture until it is completely incorporated. Add the Italian seasoning and mix thoroughly. Let the tomato paste cook briefly so its flavor becomes deeper and more rounded.
  6. Add the water.
    Pour the measured water into the pan, or substitute some of it with reserved gnocchi cooking water. Stir everything together and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  7. Add the spinach.
    Drop the fresh spinach into the simmering sauce. Stir it through and allow it to cook for 2 to 3 minutes. The leaves will gradually wilt and blend into the sauce while retaining a fresh green color.
  8. Make the sauce creamy.
    Add the cream cheese to the pan. Stir continuously until the cheese melts completely into the tomato mixture and creates a smooth, creamy sauce. Take your time with this step to avoid leaving lumps behind.
  9. Simmer briefly.
    Allow the finished sauce to bubble gently for about one minute. Do not cook it at a hard boil. You want the sauce thick enough to coat the gnocchi while remaining silky.
  10. Add the cooked gnocchi.
    Transfer the drained gnocchi into the skillet. Stir and toss gently until every piece becomes coated in the creamy sauce. Avoid rough stirring because the gnocchi can break apart.
  11. Add the smoked salmon.
    Flake the hot smoked salmon into small, bite-sized pieces. Gently fold the salmon into the gnocchi and sauce, distributing it throughout the pan without crushing the pieces.
  12. Season carefully.
    Taste the dish before adding salt because smoked salmon can already provide significant seasoning. Add black pepper and additional salt only as needed. If the sauce looks thicker than you prefer, add a small splash of reserved gnocchi water and stir until smooth.
  13. Finish and serve.
    Spoon the creamy gnocchi into serving bowls immediately. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve while the sauce is hot and silky and the gnocchi remains soft.

Notes

Recipe note: For the best texture, serve this dish immediately. Reheating and freezing can alter the consistency of both the gnocchi and cream cheese sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://irmacooks.com/healthy-smoked-salmon-gnocchi/