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This velvety gnocchi creation combines tender potato dumplings with creamy spinach and sweet cherry tomatoes into a flavor-intensive dish. The perfect balance between the mildness of cream cheese and the nutty aroma of pine nuts makes it a quick but impressive dinner.
In my kitchen, this dish is the absolute savior on busy days. The combination of ready-made gnocchi and fresh vegetables enables a quick but high-quality meal.
Carefully Selected Ingredients
- Gnocchi: Fresh from the refrigerated section for best texture
- Leaf spinach: Young and tender for optimal flavor
- Shallots: Mild and aromatic
- Pine nuts: For nutty flavor and crunch
- Cherry tomatoes: Sweet and juicy
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Detailed Preparation
- Preparation:
- Wash spinach carefully
- Finely dice shallots
- Halve tomatoes
- Toast pine nuts golden brown
- Cooking Gnocchi:
- Bring salted water to a boil
- Carefully add gnocchi
- Watch for them to float
- Drain at the right time
- Sauce Preparation:
- Sauté shallots until translucent
- Add broth
- Let spinach gently wilt
- Stir in cream cheese until creamy
- Finalization:
- Fold in gnocchi
- Warm gently
- Sprinkle pine nuts on top
- Serve immediately
In my family, this dish is especially popular with the children. The creamy sauce makes even spinach a favorite vegetable.
Perfect Accompaniments
Serve the gnocchi with a crisp arugula salad for freshness. A chilled glass of white wine harmonizes perfectly with the creamy flavors. Toasted ciabatta is suitable for soaking up the sauce. For a more festive dish, paper-thin Parmesan shavings pair well.
Creative Variations
The basic version can be wonderfully adapted. Blue sheep's cheese instead of cream cheese for more intense flavor. Dried tomatoes bring umami depth. A version with roasted chicken makes the dish higher in protein. For spice lovers, chili flakes are suitable.
Optimal Preparation
Fold the gnocchi into the spinach only at the very end. Don't reduce the sauce too much to preserve the creaminess. Only warm the spinach briefly so it keeps its color. Add the pine nuts just before serving.
Time Management
Pine nuts can be pre-toasted. Cut vegetables while the water is boiling. This organization makes preparation even faster. Timing is crucial for the perfect texture.
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Healthy Adaptations
The amount of cream cheese can be reduced. More vegetables make the dish more nutrient-rich. Whole grain gnocchi bring additional fiber. These variations make the dish even more balanced.
After many years of experience with quick pasta dishes, this version has proven to be the perfect balance between effort and taste. The combination of fluffy gnocchi and creamy spinach sauce makes this dish a quick but impressive dinner. I find it particularly fascinating how few, but high-quality ingredients yield such a flavor-intensive dish in such a short time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use frozen spinach?
- Yes, thaw about 400g of frozen spinach and drain well before using it.
- → What are alternatives to pine nuts?
- Walnuts, cashews or sunflower seeds are good alternatives that should also be roasted.
- → Can homemade gnocchi be used?
- Yes, homemade gnocchi work excellently, but require preparation time.
- → Can the dish be prepared in advance?
- The sauce can be prepared in advance. Cook gnocchi fresh and mix with the heated sauce just before serving.
- → Can I use a different cheese?
- Yes, ricotta or mascarpone are good alternatives to cream cheese and make the sauce particularly creamy.