This salmon gnocchi is cooked in one skillet in less than 10 minutes, making it the perfect choice for quick and easy weeknight dinners. Salmon, gnocchi and spinach are cooked in a creamy sauce, and topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
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Salmon gnocchi is perfect comfort food, and with this quick recipe, you can have dinner ready in no time! This is one of my most popular salmon recipes, as it's so simple yet so delicious, and one of my favorite dishes to cook on busy days.
If you're looking for a creamy Italian salmon recipe that's both filling, tasty and easy to make, you will absolutely love this!
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Why you'll love it
- Easy fish dinner
- Make it in less than 10 minutes
- An entire meal cooked in one skillet
- Easy to customize: add extra vegetables, or change the sauce
- Packed with healthy fat and protein
- Really filling dish
Ingredients
Gnocchi: Use store bought gnocchi, or make it yourself.
Salmon: Fresh salmon fillets pair perfectly with gnocchi. If you have frozen salmon, you will have to thaw it before use.
Parmesan cheese: You can also use shredded mozzarella.
Olive oil: To cook the salmon in. Alternatively, use vegetable oil or coconut oil.
Creme fraiche: Makes a creamy sauce. You can substitute with sour cream or cream cheese.
Spinach: You'll need a lot of spinach, as it wilts down when cooked.
Lemon: A splash of lemon juice adds a great flavor to salmon. Use fresh lemon, or store bought lemon juice.
Seasoning: Salt, pepper and red pepper flakes add some flavor to the dish.
Instructions
You can find full instructions + ingredient measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this page
One: Heat up olive oil in a skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add salmon fillets.
Two: Season the salmon with salt and pepper, and cook for a few minutes on both sides until the fish is almost cooked through. Remove the salmon from the pan, and set it aside.
Three: Add gnocchi and red pepper flakes to the frying pan. Sauté for a few minutes until the gnocchi is warm.
Four: Add creme fraiche and spinach to the pan, and stir to combine.
Five: Sauté the gnocchi until the spinach has wilted down.
Six: Add Parmesan cheese and pan seared salmon to the frying pan. Roughly chop up the salmon with your spatula; it will flake very easily. Stir to combine everything thoroughly, and add lemon juice and additional black pepper to taste.
Top tips
- Be careful not to overcook the salmon. It should be barely cooked, and subtly light pink.
- Don't leave the dish while it's cooking. This whole meal comes together really fast, and requires constant supervision.
- You can also use leftover cooked salmon, smoked salmon or canned salmon to make an even quicker version of the recipe.
- Add more olive oil or vegetable oil to the skillet if the gnocchi is sticking to the pan.
- Adjust the amount of salt and pepper to suit your preferences.
Serving suggestions
Gnocchi with salmon and spinach is a one skillet dish perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. You can serve the dish on its own in a bowl, or pair it with a tasty side dish.
If you want to make the dish last longer, or reduce the amount of calories per portion, I recommend pairing it with a healthy side dish or some vegetables. This means that you can serve smaller servings of salmon gnocchi, and fill the plates with leaner veggies.
Here are some of my favorite side dishes to serve with salmon:
- Lemon Kale Salad
- Olive Salad
- Tomato and cucumber salad
- Mozzarella Stuffed Mushrooms
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Instant Pot Broccoli
Variations
Added vegetables: You can add sliced or diced vegetables to the dish. Make sure that you only add soft vegetables, or veggies that can cook sufficiently in 5 minutes or less. Sliced peppers, kale, mushrooms, zucchini, cherry tomatoes or sugar snap peas are excellent options.
Dairy free version: Make the dish dairy free by omitting the Parmesan, and using a vegan or dairy free cream cheese alternative instead of the creme fraiche. Some large supermarkets also have dairy free creme fraiche and Parmesan cheese.
Different types of salmon: Instead of raw salmon, try using canned salmon or smoked salmon. These are quicker versions that can alter the flavor of the dish.
Salmon gnocchi bake: Add the ingredients to a casserole dish, and cover with shredded Parmesan cheese and mozzarella. Bake in the oven at 400 F / 200 C for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. This is a delicious alternative to pasta bake.
Equipment
To make this recipe, you will need a skillet or a frying pan. I like to use a large skillet, that can comfortably fit the entire dish.
My cast iron skillet is great for pan frying salmon, but any frying pan will work perfectly fine.
Additionally, you will need a spatula to stir the food with while it cooks.
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Storage
Store any leftover salmon gnocchi in a sealed container in a refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the dish in a skillet on the stove top, or in a microwave for a few minutes, and serve it warm.
This dish is suitable for meal prep. Make a big batch, and save half for lunch the next day!
Frequently asked questions
Pasta is made with egg, water and flour. Gnocchi is made with mashed potatoes. Gnocchi are small potato dumplings, while pasta is made from a more simple dough, and cut into thinner pieces. They are both cooked and served similarly.
No. Gnocchi can be boiled in water for a few minutes, or pan fried in a skillet or frying pan. Boiled gnocchi tends to be quite soft, while pan fried gnocchi is often crispy on the surface.
You might also like these recipes
- Chorizo Gnocchi
- Broccoli Gnocchi
- Gnocchi Bolognese
- Pesto Gnocchi
- Salmon and Creme Fraiche Pasta
- Pesto Crusted Salmon
If you make this recipe, make sure to post a photo to Instagram with #hintofhealthy!
Recipe
Salmon Gnocchi
Equipment
- Skillet
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat up olive oil in a skillet or frying pan on medium heat. Add salmon fillets.
- Season the salmon with salt and pepper, and cook for a few minutes on both sides until the fish is almost cooked through. Remove the salmon from the pan, and set it aside.
- Add gnocchi and red pepper flakes to the frying pan. Sauté for a few minutes until the gnocchi is warm.
- Add creme fraiche and spinach to the pan, and stir to combine.
- Sauté the gnocchi until the spinach has wilted down.
- Add Parmesan cheese and pan seared salmon to the frying pan. Roughly chop up the salmon with your spatula; it will flake very easily. Stir to combine everything thoroughly, and add lemon juice and additional black pepper to taste.
Video
Notes
- Store leftovers in a refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat and serve.
- If you want to add extra vegetables, make sure to use soft veggies that cook in less than 5 minutes.
- Replace the fresh salmon with smoked salmon or canned salmon for an even quicker version of the dish.
- If you want to use frozen salmon, you will have to thaw it beforehand.
- Use store bought gnocchi, or make your own.
Nutrition
Food safety tips
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw fish
- Wash hands after touching raw fish
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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