If there’s one thing I love, it’s a one-pan wonder – minimal effort, max flavour, and barely any dishes. This One Pan Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi (also known as Marry Me Gnocchi) is exactly that. Think pillowy soft gnocchi simmered in a lusciously creamy, garlicky, sun-dried tomato sauce with leafy greens for a little balance. The perfect date night dinner recipe if you ask me. It’s rich, cosy, and the kind of meal that feels fancy but comes together in 20 minutes flat. Oh, and it’s completely plant-based – because who says comfort food can’t be egg-free and dairy-free? Grab a fork, because you’re gonna want to dive straight in.
What type of gnocchi should I use?
Honestly, whatever you have on hand! Shelf-stable gnocchi from the pasta aisle works great for convenience, frozen gnocchi is a solid choice too, and if you’re feeling fancy, homemade gnocchi takes it to the next level. No need to pre-boil them – just toss them straight into the creamy sauce and let them soak up all that flavour!
Can I add protein to this dish?
Absolutely! If you want to bulk it up, try adding crispy tofu, vegan sausage, or even chickpeas for an extra boost of plant protein. If you’re making this for someone who isn’t plant-based, shredded chicken or prawns could work too, but I promise it’s already super hearty as is!
How can I make this dairy-free?
Lucky for you, this recipe is already totally dairy-free, but if you’re adapting another version, here’s how: swap out heavy cream for coconut cream, cashew cream, or an unsweetened plant-based cream. And for that cheesy richness, a good spoonful of nutritional yeast or dairy-free parmesan will do the trick. No one will even miss the dairy – I swear!
What will I need to make this?
- Store-bought vegan gnocchi
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Spinach
- Garlic
- Basil
- Coconut cream
- Vegan parmesan
- Vegetable stock
- Tomato paste
- Italian seasoning
- Red chilli flakes
- Cherry tomatoes
How do I prevent the gnocchi from becoming mushy?
The trick is don’t overcook it! Since gnocchi is made from potatoes, it gets soft pretty quickly. That’s why I skip the boiling step and let it cook directly in the sauce – it absorbs all the flavour while staying perfectly tender and pillowy. Besides, it only needs one pan. My ideal dinner! Just simmer until they float and become soft (usually around 3-4 minutes) – then you’re golden!
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes and no. This is one of those dishes that tastes best fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container and reheat gently with a splash of plant-based milk or broth to loosen up the sauce. If you’re meal-prepping, you can make the sauce ahead of time and just cook the gnocchi when you’re ready to eat – so much easier!
More recipes you might like:
Easy Veggie Fried Rice
Curried Lentil and Walnut Sausage Rolls
Roasted Potatoes with Salsa Verde and Pistachios
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad
One Pan Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi
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My One-Pan Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi is the ultimate cosy, flavour-packed dinner – pillowy gnocchi simmered in a rich, garlicky, dairy-free cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. It’s a quick, no-fuss meal that feels fancy but comes together in under 20 minutes, all in one pan!
Ingredients
500 grams Store-Bought Vegan Gnocchi
250 mls Vegetable Stock
1/3 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup Coconut Cream
200 grams Fresh Baby Spinach
2 tsp Italian Seasoning
1/4 tsp Chilli Flakes
1/4 cup Vegan Parmesan
10 Basil Leaves, chopped
10 Cherry Tomatoes, halved
4 Garlic Cloves, minced
1 tsp Olive Oil
1 tbsp Tomato Paste
Directions
- Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add finely chopped garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, halved cherry tomatoes, chilli flakes and tomato paste. Stir for another 1 minute.
- Next, add in your vegetable stock. Allow to come to simmer.
- Add in your gnocchi and cook according to packet instructions, or 3-4 minutes in the broth with the lid on.
- Once the gnocchi is tender, toss in the spinach and stir until wilted. Pour in coconut cream. Stir.
- Stir through an optional sprinkle of dairy-free parmesan and fresh basil. Best served straight away.
