I absolutely love this Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe because it’s one of those dishes that feels fancy but comes together so quickly. The creamy sauce paired with tender gnocchi and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes hits all the right comfort food notes without a lot of fuss. Whether you’re cooking for date night, family dinner, or just want something delicious on a weeknight, this recipe seriously delivers.
When I first tried this recipe, what really hooked me was how versatile and utterly delicious it is — if you’re a pasta fan, you’ll find that the gnocchi soaks up every bit of that garlicky, cheesy sauce perfectly. Plus, the fresh spinach and basil add just the right pop of color and freshness to keep it feeling light yet satisfying. Trust me, this Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe is totally worth trying out.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy nights.
- Creamy Comfort: The rich sauce feels indulgent but is made with simple ingredients.
- Flavorful & Balanced: Garlic, Italian seasoning, and sun-dried tomatoes offer a perfect flavor punch.
- Family Favorite: My crew keeps asking me to make this again and again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together for a simple yet flavorful dish. I always recommend using good-quality olive oil and fresh garlic to get the best taste from this Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe.
- Olive oil: Adds a fruity richness and is the base for sautéing garlic and herbs.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic brings beautiful aroma and depth.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that gives a classic, comforting Italian flavor.
- Vegetable broth: Builds the sauce’s liquid base, keeping it flavorful without heaviness.
- Gnocchi: Pillowy potato dumplings absorb the sauce beautifully – fresh or store-bought work fine.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: They add a tangy sweetness and chewiness that balances the cream.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Just a little kick to keep things interesting.
- Kosher salt & black pepper: Essential seasonings to bring everything alive.
- Parmesan cheese: Melts into the sauce for savory depth and a touch of nuttiness.
- Heavy whipping cream: Creates that luscious, velvety texture everyone loves.
- Baby spinach: Adds freshness and color without overpowering the dish.
- Fresh basil leaves: The final fragrant herbaceous touch, both in the sauce and as garnish.
Variations
I love how flexible this Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe is — you can make it your own by swapping ingredients or adding extras. Feel free to play around with textures and flavors to suit your preferences or what you have on hand.
- Meat Lover’s Version: Adding cooked Italian sausage or grilled chicken turns this into a heartier meal.
- Vegetarian Swap: Use vegetable broth and skip any meat additions to keep it fully meat-free.
- Cheesy Upgrade: Mix in some mozzarella or fontina cheese for extra creaminess and melt.
- Spice Level: Adjust red pepper flakes based on how much heat you like — even leave it out if you prefer mild flavors.
- Herb Changes: Try swapping basil for fresh oregano or thyme for a different herbal profile.
How to Make Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe
Step 1: Build Your Flavor Base
Start by warming olive oil over medium-low heat in a large sauté pan. Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning — this is key to infusing the entire dish with deep, savory flavor. Cook just for about a minute or until the garlic is fragrant but not browned; burnt garlic will add bitterness, so keep a close eye here.
Step 2: Simmer the Gnocchi
Pour in the vegetable broth next, stirring to lift any tasty browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Then toss in your gnocchi, sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Bring it all to a boil before lowering to a simmer. Cover the pan and let it cook for about 5 minutes — this softens the gnocchi and allows the flavors to meld together perfectly.
Step 3: Finish with Greens and Cream
Remove the lid and stir in the spinach, cooking just until it wilts from the residual heat. Then fold in Parmesan cheese, heavy whipping cream, and chiffonaded fresh basil. Give it a taste and tweak the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed — it’s starting to come together and it smells incredible!
Step 4: Plate and Garnish
Spoon the creamy gnocchi into bowls or plates, then top with extra Parmesan, a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes if you want more heat, and a few fresh basil leaves. This last part really elevates the dish and makes it look restaurant-worthy.
Pro Tips for Making Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If your pan’s too small, the gnocchi won’t cook evenly — use a wider pan or cook in batches if needed.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and basil make a noticeable difference, so avoid pre-minced or dried herbs when you can.
- Watch the Simmer Time: Keep the heat low when simmering so the sauce reduces slowly and thickens just right.
- Adjust Cream Last: Stir in cream after the gnocchi is tender to avoid curdling and to keep sauce silky smooth.
How to Serve Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe
Garnishes
I always finish this dish with a generous dusting of shredded Parmesan and fresh basil leaves — together they add a fresh, vibrant note and make the dish look stunning. If you’re feeling adventurous, a light sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes adds a nice little kick.
Side Dishes
This creamy gnocchi pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette or some roasted vegetables for a well-rounded meal. I’ve also served it alongside garlic bread to soak up every bit of that luscious sauce — trust me, no crumbs should go to waste!
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to plate this gnocchi in shallow bowls and garnish with edible flowers or microgreens for a wow factor. Another fun idea is serving it family-style in a beautiful cast-iron skillet right at the table — it adds a cozy, rustic vibe that guests love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I pop leftovers into an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens overnight, so when you reheat, adding a splash of broth or cream helps bring back that perfect creamy texture.
Freezing
I’ve found that this dish freezes reasonably well, especially without the fresh spinach (which can become a bit mushy). Freeze in a flat container or zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally. To refresh the sauce, add a splash of vegetable broth or cream and stir until warm and creamy again — this trick always brings it back to life.
FAQs
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Can I use store-bought gnocchi for this Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe?
Absolutely! Store-bought gnocchi works perfectly for this recipe and makes it super quick. Just be sure not to overcook them; they’re generally soft and cook quickly once simmered in the broth.
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What can I substitute for heavy cream?
If you want a lighter option, half-and-half or whole milk can work, but the sauce won’t be quite as rich. For a dairy-free alternative, coconut cream is a good substitute and adds a unique twist to the flavor.
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Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes! Use vegetable broth, skip the Parmesan cheese or replace it with a vegan cheese alternative, and swap the heavy cream for coconut cream or a vegan cashew cream. The sun-dried tomatoes and herbs still give it great flavor.
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How spicy is this dish?
The crushed red pepper flakes add just a mild to moderate heat that balances the creaminess. You can always adjust the amount to make it milder or spicier based on your taste preferences.
Final Thoughts
What I really adore about this Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe is how effortlessly it comes together and yet tastes so indulgent and flavorful. It’s a recipe I reach for whenever I want to impress without stress, and it never fails to get compliments. Give it a try—you might just find it becoming a favorite in your home too!
Print
Marry Me Gnocchi Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Marry Me Gnocchi recipe features pillowy gnocchi cooked in a creamy, flavorful sauce made with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and fresh basil. Finished with baby spinach and Parmesan cheese, it’s a comforting one-pan meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 medium cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 16 ounces gnocchi
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (plus more to taste)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups baby spinach (roughly chopped)
- 5-6 fresh basil leaves (chiffonaded, plus more for garnish)
Toppings
- Basil leaves
- Shredded Parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional for additional heat)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Place a large sauté pan over medium-low heat and add the olive oil. When hot, add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Sauté for one minute until the garlic is tender and fragrant, releasing all the delicious aromas.
- Add Broth and Gnocchi: Slowly stream in the vegetable broth while stirring to deglaze and pick up any browned bits from the pan. Add the gnocchi, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, crushed red pepper flakes, 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the pan.
- Cook Gnocchi: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover the pan. Let it cook for 5 minutes until the gnocchi are tender and have absorbed some of the liquid.
- Wilt Spinach and Finish Sauce: Remove the lid and stir in the chopped baby spinach. Cook for about a minute until the spinach wilts. Then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, heavy whipping cream, and chiffonaded fresh basil leaves. Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the creamy gnocchi hot, topped with additional Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, and optional crushed red pepper flakes for a dash of heat.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated.
- You can substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth if not strictly vegetarian.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to match your preferred spice level.
- If you want a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a non-dairy cream alternative.
- Be careful not to overcook the gnocchi, as they can become mushy; cooking time may vary depending on the brand.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
