Description
This Spinach-Artichoke Gnocchi Skillet is a quick, easy, and flavorful weeknight dinner perfect for busy evenings. Tender gnocchi is pan-fried to golden crispness, then combined with sautéed spinach and artichokes in a creamy, tangy sauce made with heavy cream, feta, lemon, and Italian seasoning. Finished with fresh chives and crispy garlic, this one-skillet meal is comforting, crowd-pleasing, and requires minimal cleanup. Serve alongside a fresh green salad for a complete meal with extra veggies.
Ingredients
Skillet Base
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 medium cloves garlic, thinly sliced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 12 ounces gnocchi (about 2 cups)
Vegetables & Cheese
- 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach
- 1 (12-ounce) package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and chopped (about 2 cups)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese, divided
Seasoning & Garnish
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh chives
Instructions
- Prepare garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and cook, stirring often, until golden brown and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Remove garlic with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel–lined plate to drain, reserving the garlic-infused oil in the skillet.
- Cook the gnocchi: Add 2 tablespoons butter to the reserved oil and swirl the pan over medium-high heat until melted. Add the gnocchi, cooking and stirring occasionally until gnocchi are golden brown and crisp, about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the cooked gnocchi to a medium bowl and keep the oil in the skillet.
- Sauté spinach and artichokes: In the same skillet, add the baby spinach and chopped artichoke hearts. Cook over medium heat, stirring and folding until the spinach wilts, about 2 minutes. Return the cooked gnocchi to the skillet and stir everything together.
- Add creamy sauce and season: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in ½ cup heavy cream and ¼ cup crumbled feta until the sauce is creamy and well combined, about 1 minute. Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; stir to incorporate all flavors evenly.
- Garnish and serve: Top the skillet with the remaining ¼ cup crumbled feta, the reserved crispy garlic slices, and thinly sliced fresh chives. Serve immediately, optionally paired with a simple green salad for a balanced meal.
Notes
- Use fresh baby spinach for best texture; if using frozen, thaw and drain excess liquid before cooking.
- To save time, use store-bought gnocchi and frozen artichokes.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- This dish reheats well; reheat gently in a skillet to maintain creaminess.
- Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean