One Pot Mushroom Spinach Gnocchi Easy Weeknight Meal

September 21, 2025 by Elena

Looking for a quick and tasty dinner? This One Pot Mushroom Spinach Gnocchi is your answer. It’s easy to make and packed with flavor, perfect for busy weeknights. You’ll love the creamy sauce, fresh spinach, and tender gnocchi—all cooked in just one pot! Let’s dive into the ingredients and steps that will make this meal a new family favorite.

Ingredients

Detailed List of Ingredients

To make One Pot Mushroom Spinach Gnocchi, gather these simple ingredients:

16 oz potato gnocchi
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Optional Ingredients for Extra Flavor

For a richer taste, consider adding:

Fresh herbs like basil or thyme
A splash of white wine
Red pepper flakes for heat
Sun-dried tomatoes for a sweet twist

Suggested Variations for Dietary Preferences

You can easily adapt this dish:

For a vegan version, swap heavy cream with coconut milk.
Use gluten-free gnocchi if needed.
Add protein like chicken or chickpeas for a heartier meal.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepping the Vegetables

Start by gathering your fresh ingredients. You will need:

16 oz potato gnocchi
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced

Wash the spinach and chop it. This helps it cook down quickly later. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. You want these pieces small for even cooking.

Sautéing the Base

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the onion is soft and clear. Next, stir in the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms. Let them cook for another 5-7 minutes. The mushrooms will soften and release their juices. This makes a tasty base for your dish.

Cooking the Gnocchi

Once the mushrooms are cooked, pour in 2 cups of vegetable broth and 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir well and bring this mixture to a gentle simmer. Now, add the potato gnocchi and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Stir again to mix everything well. Cover the pot and cook for about 3-5 minutes. The gnocchi will float to the top when they are ready. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Final Touches for Serving

After the gnocchi are cooked, add the chopped spinach to the pot. Stir until the spinach wilts and mixes well with the other ingredients. Taste your dish and add salt and pepper to your liking. Serve warm in bowls, and if you like, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor. Enjoy this easy and hearty meal!

Tips & Tricks

Best Practices for Perfectly Cooked Gnocchi

To cook gnocchi well, start with fresh ones. They taste best when cooked right after you buy them. Use a large pot with plenty of water. Salt the water before adding the gnocchi. This simple step adds flavor. Cook until they float. This means they are done. Stir gently to avoid sticking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One common mistake is overcooking gnocchi. This can make them mushy. Another mistake is not seasoning the water. Always add salt for better taste. Don’t skip sautéing the onion and garlic. This builds a rich flavor base. Lastly, don’t forget to stir the pot while it simmers. This helps to keep everything evenly cooked.

Recommended Kitchen Tools

You need a few basic tools to make this dish. A large pot or deep skillet is key. A wooden spoon helps with stirring. Use a sharp knife for chopping. A cutting board is also helpful. If you have a colander, it’s great for draining any excess liquid. These tools make cooking easier and keep your kitchen tidy while you work.

Variations

Alternative Greens and Vegetables

You can change the greens in this dish. If you want a twist, try kale or Swiss chard. Both add great flavor and nutrition. You can also use frozen spinach if fresh is not available. Just be sure to thaw and drain it first. Other vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers can also work. Just chop them up and add them when you cook the onion and garlic.

Substitutions for Cream and Broth

If you want a lighter dish, you can swap heavy cream for half-and-half or milk. This change will lower the fat while keeping it creamy. For the broth, you can use chicken broth for added flavor. If you want a richer taste, try using mushroom broth. This will enhance the earthy flavor of the mushrooms in your dish.

Vegan or Gluten-Free Options

To make this dish vegan, you can replace the heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream. Both options provide a creamy texture without dairy. For the gnocchi, choose gluten-free options made from rice or other grains. This way, everyone can enjoy the meal. Adjust the seasonings to fit your taste, and you will have a delicious vegan treat.

Storage Info

How to Store Leftovers

I love making extra One Pot Mushroom Spinach Gnocchi. To store leftovers, let the dish cool first. Then, place it in an airtight container. This keeps the flavors fresh. Store it in the fridge for up to three days.

Reheating Recommendations

When you’re ready to eat, reheating is easy. You can use the stove or microwave. If using the stove, add a splash of broth to the pot. Heat it on low and stir gently. If using the microwave, heat in short bursts. Stir in between to keep it from drying out.

Freezing Tips for Meal Prep

Freezing this dish is a smart choice. Use a freezer-safe container for best results. The gnocchi may change texture a bit, but the taste stays great. It can last up to three months in the freezer. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge before warming.

FAQs

What is the best type of gnocchi to use?

I recommend using fresh potato gnocchi for this dish. Fresh gnocchi has a light, fluffy texture. It cooks quickly and absorbs flavors better than dried gnocchi. If fresh isn’t available, look for high-quality frozen gnocchi. They can also work well and save time.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can prepare this dish ahead, but I suggest cooking it fresh. Gnocchi can become mushy if stored after cooking. If you want to prep, chop your veggies and store them in the fridge. Cook the gnocchi and sauce when you’re ready to eat. This keeps everything fresh and tasty.

How can I make it spicier or more flavorful?

To up the spice, add red pepper flakes while cooking. You might also try a splash of hot sauce for heat. For more flavor, add herbs like basil or thyme. A squeeze of lemon juice can brighten the dish and enhance the taste.

Is it possible to use dried gnocchi instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use dried gnocchi. Just remember that dried gnocchi takes longer to cook. Follow the package instructions for the best results. You may need to adjust the liquid in the recipe to ensure the dish remains creamy and delicious.

This blog post covers how to make great gnocchi. We looked at key ingredients and offered optional flavors. I shared step-by-step instructions for prepping and cooking. You learned tips for perfect gnocchi and common mistakes to avoid. We explored variations for diets and how to store leftovers.

With this knowledge, you can create a tasty dish that suits your needs. Enjoy your cooking and make it your own!

$To make One Pot Mushroom Spinach Gnocchi, gather these simple ingredients: - 16 oz potato gnocchi - 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped - 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced - 1 medium onion, diced - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 2 cups vegetable broth - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - 1 tablespoon olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste - Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional) For a richer taste, consider adding: - Fresh herbs like basil or thyme - A splash of white wine - Red pepper flakes for heat - Sun-dried tomatoes for a sweet twist You can easily adapt this dish: - For a vegan version, swap heavy cream with coconut milk. - Use gluten-free gnocchi if needed. - Add protein like chicken or chickpeas for a heartier meal. Start by gathering your fresh ingredients. You will need: - 16 oz potato gnocchi - 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped - 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced - 1 medium onion, diced - 3 cloves garlic, minced Wash the spinach and chop it. This helps it cook down quickly later. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. You want these pieces small for even cooking. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the onion is soft and clear. Next, stir in the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms. Let them cook for another 5-7 minutes. The mushrooms will soften and release their juices. This makes a tasty base for your dish. Once the mushrooms are cooked, pour in 2 cups of vegetable broth and 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir well and bring this mixture to a gentle simmer. Now, add the potato gnocchi and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Stir again to mix everything well. Cover the pot and cook for about 3-5 minutes. The gnocchi will float to the top when they are ready. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking. After the gnocchi are cooked, add the chopped spinach to the pot. Stir until the spinach wilts and mixes well with the other ingredients. Taste your dish and add salt and pepper to your liking. Serve warm in bowls, and if you like, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor. Enjoy this easy and hearty meal! To cook gnocchi well, start with fresh ones. They taste best when cooked right after you buy them. Use a large pot with plenty of water. Salt the water before adding the gnocchi. This simple step adds flavor. Cook until they float. This means they are done. Stir gently to avoid sticking. One common mistake is overcooking gnocchi. This can make them mushy. Another mistake is not seasoning the water. Always add salt for better taste. Don’t skip sautéing the onion and garlic. This builds a rich flavor base. Lastly, don’t forget to stir the pot while it simmers. This helps to keep everything evenly cooked. You need a few basic tools to make this dish. A large pot or deep skillet is key. A wooden spoon helps with stirring. Use a sharp knife for chopping. A cutting board is also helpful. If you have a colander, it's great for draining any excess liquid. These tools make cooking easier and keep your kitchen tidy while you work. {{image_2}} You can change the greens in this dish. If you want a twist, try kale or Swiss chard. Both add great flavor and nutrition. You can also use frozen spinach if fresh is not available. Just be sure to thaw and drain it first. Other vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers can also work. Just chop them up and add them when you cook the onion and garlic. If you want a lighter dish, you can swap heavy cream for half-and-half or milk. This change will lower the fat while keeping it creamy. For the broth, you can use chicken broth for added flavor. If you want a richer taste, try using mushroom broth. This will enhance the earthy flavor of the mushrooms in your dish. To make this dish vegan, you can replace the heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream. Both options provide a creamy texture without dairy. For the gnocchi, choose gluten-free options made from rice or other grains. This way, everyone can enjoy the meal. Adjust the seasonings to fit your taste, and you will have a delicious vegan treat. I love making extra One Pot Mushroom Spinach Gnocchi. To store leftovers, let the dish cool first. Then, place it in an airtight container. This keeps the flavors fresh. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. When you're ready to eat, reheating is easy. You can use the stove or microwave. If using the stove, add a splash of broth to the pot. Heat it on low and stir gently. If using the microwave, heat in short bursts. Stir in between to keep it from drying out. Freezing this dish is a smart choice. Use a freezer-safe container for best results. The gnocchi may change texture a bit, but the taste stays great. It can last up to three months in the freezer. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge before warming. I recommend using fresh potato gnocchi for this dish. Fresh gnocchi has a light, fluffy texture. It cooks quickly and absorbs flavors better than dried gnocchi. If fresh isn’t available, look for high-quality frozen gnocchi. They can also work well and save time. You can prepare this dish ahead, but I suggest cooking it fresh. Gnocchi can become mushy if stored after cooking. If you want to prep, chop your veggies and store them in the fridge. Cook the gnocchi and sauce when you're ready to eat. This keeps everything fresh and tasty. To up the spice, add red pepper flakes while cooking. You might also try a splash of hot sauce for heat. For more flavor, add herbs like basil or thyme. A squeeze of lemon juice can brighten the dish and enhance the taste. Yes, you can use dried gnocchi. Just remember that dried gnocchi takes longer to cook. Follow the package instructions for the best results. You may need to adjust the liquid in the recipe to ensure the dish remains creamy and delicious. This blog post covers how to make great gnocchi. We looked at key ingredients and offered optional flavors. I shared step-by-step instructions for prepping and cooking. You learned tips for perfect gnocchi and common mistakes to avoid. We explored variations for diets and how to store leftovers. With this knowledge, you can create a tasty dish that suits your needs. Enjoy your cooking and make it your own!$