Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Gnocchi Delicious Dinner Idea

by Ava on July 4, 2025

Looking for a delicious dinner idea? Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Gnocchi is your answer! This dish combines soft gnocchi with a rich, creamy sauce that bursts with flavor. I’ll guide you through every step, from gathering fresh ingredients to tips for the perfect texture. Whether you’re cooking for family or a cozy night in, this recipe is sure to impress. Let’s dive in and make your dinner unforgettable!

$- 1 package (16 oz) gnocchi - 1 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped (in oil) - 2 tablespoons olive oil (from sun dried tomatoes) - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup vegetable broth - 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped - 1 teaspoon dried basil - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - Salt and pepper to taste - Grated Parmesan cheese for serving - Fresh basil leaves for garnish Using high-quality ingredients makes a big difference. Choose fresh gnocchi for the best taste. Look for sun dried tomatoes packed in oil; they add great flavor. Fresh spinach adds a nice texture and color to the dish. Use fresh garlic for a stronger taste. When picking your heavy cream, go for one without additives for a richer sauce. If you can't find gnocchi, you can use pasta like penne or fettuccine. For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk. If you want a vegan option, use a plant-based cream and skip the cheese. You can also replace sun dried tomatoes with roasted red peppers for a different flavor. If you want a protein boost, try adding cooked chicken or shrimp. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by boiling water in a large pot. Add a pinch of salt to the water for flavor. Once it boils, add the gnocchi. Cook them as per the package guide. Watch closely; the gnocchi will float when they are done. This takes about 2-3 minutes. After they float, drain them and set aside. This step makes the base for our creamy dish. In the same pot or a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Use the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for about 2 minutes until you smell the garlic. Next, pour in the vegetable broth. Bring it to a simmer and let it reduce for about 3-4 minutes. This thickens the sauce. Now, lower the heat and stir in heavy cream. Mix well until combined. Add the roughly chopped spinach, dried basil, and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the spinach wilts, which takes about 2 minutes. This adds color and nutrition to the sauce. Gently fold in the cooked gnocchi. Make sure each piece is coated with the creamy sauce. Cook everything on low heat for an additional 2-3 minutes. This warms it through. Once ready, serve it immediately. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves for a beautiful touch. Enjoy every creamy bite of this delightful dish! To get the best gnocchi, start with fresh ones. Cook them in boiling water until they float. This shows they are ready. Avoid overcooking, as they can get mushy. If you make your own gnocchi, use a light hand. Too much flour makes them dense. You can add more flavor by using fresh herbs. Try parsley or thyme for a nice touch. Adding a squeeze of lemon juice brightens the dish. A pinch of red pepper flakes gives it a nice kick. You can also mix in cooked chicken or shrimp for protein. One common mistake is undercooking the garlic. If it’s not cooked long enough, it can taste raw. Another error is not seasoning the sauce properly. Taste as you go and adjust salt and pepper. Lastly, don’t forget to coat the gnocchi well in the sauce. This ensures every bite is creamy and flavorful. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Whenever possible, opt for fresh spinach and high-quality sun dried tomatoes to enhance the flavor and texture of the dish. Adjust Creaminess: For a lighter version, substitute half of the heavy cream with additional vegetable broth or use a plant-based cream alternative. Customize Seasoning: Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices, such as oregano or crushed red pepper, to tailor the flavor to your liking. Serving Suggestions: This dish pairs beautifully with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal. {{image_2}} You can easily make this dish vegan. Start by swapping the heavy cream for coconut cream or cashew cream. Use vegetable broth instead of any dairy-based liquids. For the cheese, use a vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast to add a cheesy taste. This way, you keep all the creamy goodness without any animal products. If you want to add protein, chicken and shrimp work great. For chicken, use boneless pieces. Cook them in the pot before adding garlic and sun dried tomatoes. For shrimp, add them after the broth, as they cook quickly. Both options add flavor and make your meal more filling. Feel free to mix in your favorite veggies. Zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms add great taste and texture. Just chop them up and sauté them with garlic and sun dried tomatoes. You can also add peas or broccoli at the end for a pop of color and nutrition. These variations keep the dish exciting and fresh. Store any leftover creamy sun dried tomato gnocchi in an airtight container. Let the dish cool to room temperature first. Then, place it in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to three days. If you know you won’t eat it soon, consider freezing it. To reheat, place the gnocchi in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of vegetable broth or cream to keep it moist. Stir often until heated through. You can also use a microwave. Heat in short intervals, stirring in between, until warm. For freezing, make sure the gnocchi cools completely. Transfer it to a freezer bag or container. Remove as much air as possible. This helps prevent freezer burn. The gnocchi can last up to three months in the freezer. To enjoy it later, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. Yes, you can make creamy sun-dried tomato gnocchi ahead of time. Cook the gnocchi and prepare the sauce as directed. Once done, mix the gnocchi with the sauce. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. When you are ready to eat, reheat it on low heat. Add a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce. If you don’t have gnocchi, you can use other pasta. Small shapes like penne or fusilli work well. You can also use homemade dumplings or even cooked potatoes. Just adjust the cooking time based on what you choose. The creamy sauce will still taste great with these options. Yes, creamy sun-dried tomato gnocchi is great for meal prep. It keeps well in the fridge. Portion it into containers for easy lunches or dinners. Just remember to reheat gently to keep the sauce creamy. This way, you can enjoy a delicious meal all week long! This article covered all you need to make creamy sun-dried tomato gnocchi. You learned about key ingredients and how their quality matters. We discussed clear steps for making the dish and tips for perfect texture. You can even explore variations with proteins or vegetables. Lastly, proper storage tips ensure your leftovers stay fresh. With this knowledge, you're ready to impress with a delicious meal!$

Why I Love This Recipe

Rich and Creamy Flavor: This dish combines the creaminess of heavy cream with the tangy sweetness of sun dried tomatoes, creating a delightful flavor profile.
Quick and Easy: Ready in just 25 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen.
Healthy Spinach Addition: Adding fresh spinach not only boosts the nutrition of the dish but also adds a pop of color and freshness that complements the creamy sauce.
Versatile and Customizable: This recipe can easily be adapted by adding proteins like chicken or shrimp, or by incorporating different vegetables according to your preference.

Ingredients

Complete List of Ingredients

– 1 package (16 oz) gnocchi

– 1 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped (in oil)

– 2 tablespoons olive oil (from sun dried tomatoes)

– 3 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 cup heavy cream

– 1 cup vegetable broth

– 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped

– 1 teaspoon dried basil

– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

– Salt and pepper to taste

– Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

– Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Notes on Ingredient Quality

Using high-quality ingredients makes a big difference. Choose fresh gnocchi for the best taste. Look for sun dried tomatoes packed in oil; they add great flavor. Fresh spinach adds a nice texture and color to the dish. Use fresh garlic for a stronger taste. When picking your heavy cream, go for one without additives for a richer sauce.

Substitutions for Key Ingredients

If you can’t find gnocchi, you can use pasta like penne or fettuccine. For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk. If you want a vegan option, use a plant-based cream and skip the cheese. You can also replace sun dried tomatoes with roasted red peppers for a different flavor. If you want a protein boost, try adding cooked chicken or shrimp.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Gnocchi

Start by boiling water in a large pot. Add a pinch of salt to the water for flavor. Once it boils, add the gnocchi. Cook them as per the package guide. Watch closely; the gnocchi will float when they are done. This takes about 2-3 minutes. After they float, drain them and set aside. This step makes the base for our creamy dish.

Making the Creamy Sauce

In the same pot or a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Use the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for about 2 minutes until you smell the garlic. Next, pour in the vegetable broth. Bring it to a simmer and let it reduce for about 3-4 minutes. This thickens the sauce. Now, lower the heat and stir in heavy cream. Mix well until combined.

Add the roughly chopped spinach, dried basil, and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the spinach wilts, which takes about 2 minutes. This adds color and nutrition to the sauce.

Combining and Serving the Dish

Gently fold in the cooked gnocchi. Make sure each piece is coated with the creamy sauce. Cook everything on low heat for an additional 2-3 minutes. This warms it through. Once ready, serve it immediately. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves for a beautiful touch. Enjoy every creamy bite of this delightful dish!

Tips & Tricks

Tips for Perfect Gnocchi Texture

To get the best gnocchi, start with fresh ones. Cook them in boiling water until they float. This shows they are ready. Avoid overcooking, as they can get mushy. If you make your own gnocchi, use a light hand. Too much flour makes them dense.

Enhancing Flavor with Extra Ingredients

You can add more flavor by using fresh herbs. Try parsley or thyme for a nice touch. Adding a squeeze of lemon juice brightens the dish. A pinch of red pepper flakes gives it a nice kick. You can also mix in cooked chicken or shrimp for protein.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One common mistake is undercooking the garlic. If it’s not cooked long enough, it can taste raw. Another error is not seasoning the sauce properly. Taste as you go and adjust salt and pepper. Lastly, don’t forget to coat the gnocchi well in the sauce. This ensures every bite is creamy and flavorful.

Pro Tips

Use Fresh Ingredients: Whenever possible, opt for fresh spinach and high-quality sun dried tomatoes to enhance the flavor and texture of the dish.
Adjust Creaminess: For a lighter version, substitute half of the heavy cream with additional vegetable broth or use a plant-based cream alternative.
Customize Seasoning: Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices, such as oregano or crushed red pepper, to tailor the flavor to your liking.
Serving Suggestions: This dish pairs beautifully with a side of garlic bread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.

Variations

Vegan and Dairy-Free Modifications

You can easily make this dish vegan. Start by swapping the heavy cream for coconut cream or cashew cream. Use vegetable broth instead of any dairy-based liquids. For the cheese, use a vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast to add a cheesy taste. This way, you keep all the creamy goodness without any animal products.

Adding Protein Options (Chicken, Shrimp, etc.)

If you want to add protein, chicken and shrimp work great. For chicken, use boneless pieces. Cook them in the pot before adding garlic and sun dried tomatoes. For shrimp, add them after the broth, as they cook quickly. Both options add flavor and make your meal more filling.

Different Vegetable Additions

Feel free to mix in your favorite veggies. Zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms add great taste and texture. Just chop them up and sauté them with garlic and sun dried tomatoes. You can also add peas or broccoli at the end for a pop of color and nutrition. These variations keep the dish exciting and fresh.

Storage Info

How to Store Leftovers

Store any leftover creamy sun dried tomato gnocchi in an airtight container. Let the dish cool to room temperature first. Then, place it in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to three days. If you know you won’t eat it soon, consider freezing it.

Reheating Instructions

To reheat, place the gnocchi in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of vegetable broth or cream to keep it moist. Stir often until heated through. You can also use a microwave. Heat in short intervals, stirring in between, until warm.

Freezing for Later Use

For freezing, make sure the gnocchi cools completely. Transfer it to a freezer bag or container. Remove as much air as possible. This helps prevent freezer burn. The gnocchi can last up to three months in the freezer. To enjoy it later, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.

FAQs

Can I make creamy sun-dried tomato gnocchi in advance?

Yes, you can make creamy sun-dried tomato gnocchi ahead of time. Cook the gnocchi and prepare the sauce as directed. Once done, mix the gnocchi with the sauce. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. When you are ready to eat, reheat it on low heat. Add a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.

What can I substitute for gnocchi?

If you don’t have gnocchi, you can use other pasta. Small shapes like penne or fusilli work well. You can also use homemade dumplings or even cooked potatoes. Just adjust the cooking time based on what you choose. The creamy sauce will still taste great with these options.

Is this dish suitable for meal prep?

Yes, creamy sun-dried tomato gnocchi is great for meal prep. It keeps well in the fridge. Portion it into containers for easy lunches or dinners. Just remember to reheat gently to keep the sauce creamy. This way, you can enjoy a delicious meal all week long!

This article covered all you need to make creamy sun-dried tomato gnocchi. You learned about key ingredients and how their quality matters. We discussed clear steps for making the dish and tips for perfect texture. You can even explore variations with proteins or vegetables. Lastly, proper storage tips ensure your leftovers stay fresh.

With this knowledge, you’re ready to impress with a delicious mea

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Gnocchi

A delicious and creamy gnocchi dish featuring sun dried tomatoes and fresh spinach.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

16 oz gnocchi
1 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped (in oil)
2 tablespoons olive oil (from sun dried tomatoes)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup vegetable broth
1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
to taste salt and pepper
to serve grated Parmesan cheese
for garnish fresh basil leaves

Instructions

In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the gnocchi according to package instructions. Once they float to the top, about 2-3 minutes, drain and set aside.
In the same pot (or a large skillet), heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sun dried tomatoes, sautéing for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Allow it to reduce slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, mixing well to combine.
Add the chopped spinach, dried basil, Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.
Gently fold in the cooked gnocchi, ensuring each piece is well coated with the creamy sauce.
Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on low heat until everything is heated through.
Serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.

Notes

Serve immediately for the best flavor.

Keyword creamy, gnocchi, spinach, sun dried tomatoes