Easy to make and tossed in a creamy mascarpone sauce, this Spinach Pan Fried Gnocchi recipe will be your new favorite dinner recipe!
What is Gnocchi?
Gnocchi is considered to be a pasta, but due to its bundle-like shape, some folks don’t realize that and put it in a category all its own. Pronounced ˈnäkē, it is probably one of the most mispronounced foods out there only compared to Worcestershire sauce.
In reality, gnocchi is a dumpling made from flour and historically, potatoes, which is why the most common form is potato gnocchi. You might also find them made with ricotta cheese, cauliflower, squash, sweet potatoes and even pumpkin.
Making homemade gnocchi is pretty easy, but also time consuming to roll out all of those little dumplings by hand, so I typically get store bought. I like the air locked packages in the pasta aisle.
They are shelf stable and still soft and fresh, not dried. Fresh gnocchi are also a good option, but can cost a lot more and if your family eats as much as mine, you’ll need 2-3 packages to feed them all.
Ingredients
You can find all of these pan fried gnocchi ingredients at your local grocery store.
- Gnocchi – You will use about two packages of store-bought gnocchi, or you could of course make your own!
- Olive oil – This is what we use to make sure the gnocchi doesn’t stick to the pan when frying. You could also use a couple tablespoons of butter.
- Garlic – I always prefer to use fresh garlic because it packs a better punch than the pre-minced jarred version.
- Mascarpone cheese – You want to make sure this is softened so that it is easier to work with.
- Lemon – We will use both the lemon zest and lemon juice. Fresh juice is always preferred because the flavor is more pungent than the bottled variety.
- Salt and pepper – I like to use a simple blend of Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Parmesan cheese – This is what we use as a garnish on top. I like to freshly grate my cheese.
Variations
There are plenty of ways to make this crispy pan fried gnocchi recipe to your own taste. Here are a few suggestions.
- Spice it up – If you want to make things a little spicier, stir some red pepper flakes into the sauce or use as one of the garnishes.
- Fresh herbs – Herbs can really step a dish up, especially when they’re fresh. Fresh basil, parsley, sage leaves or thyme would taste great on this gnocchi.
- Add ins – In addition to the spinach and tomatoes, you could add things like onion, pine nuts, or vegetables to your gnocchi.
How to Make Pan Fried Gnocchi
You are going to love how easy it is to make this simple gnocchi dish.
- Fry gnocchi. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add gnocchi, tossing to brown on all sides
- Make sauce. In a small bowl, whisk mascarpone with zest from one lemon and fresh lemon juice from one lemon, water, Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Set aside.
- Add spinach and garlic. When gnocchi is mostly lightly browned, add fresh spinach. Use tongs to toss with gnocchi until it fully wilts. Add remaining spinach until wilted, then garlic, cooking a minute longer. Reduce heat to low.
- Toss gnocchi in sauce. Toss gnocchi and spinach with mascarpone sauce until smooth and creamy.
- Add sundried tomatoes and cheese. Add drained and blotted sundried tomatoes and top with Parmesan cheese.
What to Serve with Pan Fried Gnocchi
Pan fried gnocchi can be served with many different sauces, although the most popular are marinara, bolognese and pesto. Even though the pasta is fairly heavy, it does complement other heavy sauces. I’ve even seen it made with carbonara, but knowing how carbonara is made, this doesn’t seem quite right.
I like this pan fried gnocchi with just spinach and sundried tomatoes, but you can top it off with cooked shrimp, grilled chicken or even seared scallops to make it a whole meal.
You can also serve it alongside something like a juicy steak, grilled chicken or even a pork roast. The options are endless!
Storage and Freezing
How to Store Pan Fried Gnocchi
After the gnocchi has reached room temperature, store leftover gnocchi in an airtight container for up to two days in the fridge.
Can I Freeze Pan-Fried Gnocchi?
Freeze gnocchi in a resealable bag for up to three months. Remember, air it the enemy, so try to get as much out as possible. To reheat, thaw and heat in a skillet over medium heat. You might need to add a touch of cream or more cheese to revive the sauce.
More Pasta Recipes
I’m an Italian girl, so you know I love my pasta! Here are some of my favorites that I know you’ll love too.
Fried Gnocchi
Ingredients
- 30 ounces gnocchi , this is typically 2 packages
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 ounces fresh baby spinach
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 8 ounces mascarpone cheese , softened
- 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat.
- Add gnocchi, tossing to brown on all sides for about 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk mascarpone with zest from one lemon and fresh lemon juice from one lemon, 1/2 cup water, Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Set aside.
- When gnocchi is mostly lightly browned, add 1/2 fresh spinach. Use tongs to toss with gnocchi until it fully wilts. Add remaining spinach until wilted, then garlic, cooking 1 minute longer. Reduce heat to low.
- Toss gnocchi and spinach with mascarpone sauce until smooth and creamy.
- Add drained and blotted sundried tomatoes and top with Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately and make sure to come back to let us know how it was in the comments or ratings!
Notes
Nutrition
Way too much lemon! Gnocchi fry better in butter. I would half the lemon juice, fry in butter, and use cream instead of marscapone.
This was delicious. I used cream cheese instead of the mascarpone cheese. I also added bacon. It was divine.
Loving the addition of bacon!!!
Pasta is my biggest weakness, and this gnocchi recipe is calling my name! Pinning to make soon! Thanks!
Absolutely delicious – We enjoyed this for dinner and the flavours were amazing, and it was a simple to prepare dish!
What a delicious way to enjoy gnocchi! Such a satisfying meal. I loved the addition mascarpone cheese and sun-dried tomatoes!
That mascarpone sauce sounds right up my alley and gnocchi is my favorite comfort food ever! Can’t wait to try it!
This pan fried gnocchi was so delicious! Loved the fresh and savory flavors in this.