Go Back
A bowl of Creamy Gnocchi With Spinach And Feta, a delicious and easy-to-make pasta dish, is shown as the featured image.

Creamy Gnocchi with Spinach and Feta

This recipe delivers a perfectly balanced and comforting creamy gnocchi dish. Tender gnocchi is combined with wilted spinach, salty feta, and a rich, velvety cream sauce, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal. The key is to manage the starch and gently coax the flavors together for a truly amazing result.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound gnocchi shelf-stable or refrigerated
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 5 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes optional
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish optional
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Pot
  • colander
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • wooden spoon or spatula
  • Serving bowls

Method
 

  1. Cook the gnocchi according to package directions. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  2. While the gnocchi is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  4. Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream and stir gently.
  6. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
  7. Add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet with the cream sauce. Gently toss to coat.
  8. Stir in most of the crumbled feta cheese, reserving some for garnish.
  9. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
  10. Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining feta cheese and fresh parsley (if using).

Notes

For the creamiest sauce, use heavy cream. Adding the feta at the end and reserving some for garnish preserves its flavor and texture. If using fresh gnocchi, be careful not to overcook it, as it releases more starch. Adjust seasoning to taste, especially if using feta in brine, which tends to be saltier.