Spinach Gnocchi
Spinach Gnocchi offers a vibrant and flavorful twist on traditional gnocchi, featuring tender, pillowy dumplings infused with fresh spinach. This dish combines simple, wholesome ingredients to create a homemade comfort meal that is quick to prepare, nutritious, and adaptable to various dietary preferences.
- Author: Kathy
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Main Ingredients
- Fresh Baby Spinach – 4 cups (about 120g)
- Russet Potatoes – 2 large (about 700g), starchy variety preferred
- All-Purpose Flour – 1 to 1 ½ cups (120-180g), adjust as needed
- Egg – 1 large
- Salt – 1 teaspoon, plus more for boiling water
- Nutmeg (optional) – ¼ teaspoon, freshly grated
- Prepare the Spinach: Blanch fresh baby spinach leaves in boiling water for about 30 seconds until wilted. Immediately transfer to ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and squeeze out as much moisture as possible, then finely chop the spinach to prevent the dough from becoming too wet.
- Cook and Mash Potatoes: Boil whole russet potatoes until tender when pierced with a fork. Peel them while still warm and mash or rice them until smooth, avoiding lumps to ensure a light gnocchi texture.
- Combine Ingredients into Dough: In a large bowl, mix the mashed potatoes with the chopped spinach, salt, and nutmeg if using. Gradually add the flour and crack in the egg, kneading gently until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Avoid overworking to keep the gnocchi tender.
- Shape the Gnocchi: On a floured surface, divide the dough into small logs and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Roll each piece gently with a fork or gnocchi board to create ridges, which help sauces adhere better.
- Cook and Serve: Boil the gnocchi in salted water in small batches until they float to the surface, indicating they are cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and serve immediately with your favorite sauce or garnish.
Notes
- Use starchy russet potatoes for the best light and fluffy gnocchi texture.
- Dry the spinach thoroughly after blanching to prevent a sticky dough.
- Add flour gradually to avoid dense and heavy gnocchi.
- Handle the dough gently when shaping to maintain a delicate texture.
- Cook gnocchi in small batches to prevent sticking and overcrowding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 150g)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: spinach gnocchi, homemade gnocchi, Italian dumplings, vegetarian gnocchi, green gnocchi, spinach pasta, easy dinner recipe