Tuscan Gnocchi Recipe

This Tuscan Gnocchi Recipe is all about healthy comfort food. This dish is savory and satisfying and full of beans, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, white beans, and soft pillowy gnocchi.

Recently, I've fallen in love with gnocchi recipes. Maybe it's because I love the pillowy texture of the little potato pasta. Or maybe I'm obsessed.  Regardless of my fixation, tonight's Tuscan gnocchi is adapted from a recipe from Eating Well Magazine. As with most recipes, I altered the Tuscan gnocchi recipe to make it without animal products or oil and added my Italian flare. 

Jump to:

• What is Gnocchi?
• Gnocchi to Avoid
• Tuscan Gnocchi Recipe Ingredients
• How to make Tuscan Gnocchi Recipe
• How to Serve Gnocchi
• Recipe FAQs
• Tips
• Vegan Italian Recipes to Try!
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Reviews

Tuscan gnocchi, also known as Italian gnocchi, combines Italian flavors with gnocchi as the highlight. However, I added a few other elements to make this under-20-minute skillet meal full of vegan goodness. 

What is Gnocchi?

Despite popular belief, gnocchi is not pasta. Instead, gnocchi is made of potatoes and formed into dumplings. Although generally served as an entree with various sauces, gnocchi works wonderfully in soups and stews. In addition, most gnocchi is oil-free and vegan.

Gnocchi is available in the pasta section on the shelf, vacuum-sealed, refrigerated, or freezer in most grocery stores. 

What Ingredients are in Packaged Gnocchi?

For this tomato gnocchi soup recipe, I chose De Cecco Potato Gnocchi 

• Mashed Potatoes 80% [Water, Dried Potato Flakes 24% (Potatoes 99%, Spices)]
• Potato Starch 15%
• Wheat Flour
• Rice Flour
• Spices
• Salt
• pH Control Agent: Lactic Acid, Preservative: Potassium Sorbate

But, other vegan and oil-free varieties are available for sale as well: 

• Bella Terra Organic Potato Gnocchi
• Sanniti Potato Gnocchi
• Delallo Gluten-Free Gnocchi
• Bartenura Potato Gnocchi
• Tuscanini  Potato Gnocchi (these a fun mini version and great for soup)

Gnocchi to Avoid

Beware of brands, however, that contain diglycerides and other hidden fat sources if you are searching for an oil-free version. As a rule, the fewer ingredients in any product, the better. 

Tuscan Gnocchi Recipe Ingredients

• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: I buy sun-dried tomatoes that are dry packaged without oil
• Vegan Gnocchi: Vegan gnocchi is made without egg or dairy. Although most gnocchi is vegan, make sure to read the label on packages before purchasing.
• Cannellini Beans: Cannellini beans have a delicate and creamy taste, often described as slightly nutty and earthy. When cooked, they develop a smooth and buttery texture that melts in your mouth. The flavor of cannellini beans is mild, allowing them to absorb other ingredients' flavors easily.
• Organic Spinach:
• Shallot: Shallots have a flavor that some people describe as onion with a hint of garlic on the finish. They are peppery like a raw red onion but get sweet when cooked. Their flavor is a bit more delicate than that of onions.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves are preferred for maximum flavor.
• Vegetable Broth: I use low-sodium, organic vegetable broth I buy in bulk from Costco.
• Unsweetened Unflavored Plant Milk: I like oat milk because it is naturally creamy.
• Lemon Juice: I prefer using fresh lemon juice to add fresh acidity to the recipe.
• Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: Fire-roasted tomatoes are canned tomatoes that are fire-roasted over an open flame to accentuate their flavor. They taste sweet and subtly smoky right out of the can instead of bitter and acidic like most standard canned tomatoes.
• Salt and Pepper: A pinch of salt and pepper enhances the flavors in the recipe.
• Fresh basil (garnish optional): Fresh basil brings the dish together with fresh basil as a garnish.

How to make Tuscan Gnocchi Recipe

• First, it's necessary to hydrate the sun-dried tomatoes.
• There are two types of sun-dried tomatoes: the oil-free ones packed and dried in a bag or container or those packed in oil.
• To hydrate the sun-dried tomatoes, soak them in boiling water for 15 minutes and drain them before adding to the recipe. 
• Next, saute the shallots with the drained sun-dried tomatoes in a skillet before adding the beans and vegetable broth.
• If, however, the shallots and sun-dried tomatoes begin to stick to the bottom of the pan, add a little vegetable broth.
• Finally, add the white beans and vegetable broth once the shallots appear translucent. 
• Now, add the tomatoes and spinach.
• As a result, the spinach wilts immediately when stirred into the hot mixture.
• Then, add the cooked gnocchi, plant milk, and lemon juice and stir until heated. 

How to Serve Gnocchi

Although this Tuscan gnocchi is made with a light sauce, other sauce options are delicious with gnocchi.

• Vegan Marinara Sauce with basil
• Pesto Gnocchi and Vegetables
• Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe

And there are many recipes with gnocchi:

I love crusty bread to drag through the sauce. I also enjoy a large green salad such as Chopped Kale Salad. Gnocchi is also remarkable in soups, such as Creamy Tomato Gnocchi Soup or Vegan Gnocchi Soup Recipe.

Recipe FAQs

Tips

• Shelf-stable gnocchi is found in the Italian section of the grocery store by the pasta. Whole grain gnocchi or gluten-free options are also available.
• Gnocchi is also found in the freezer section of the grocery store.
• Do not overcook the gnocchi. It only takes minutes to cook. Overcooking it makes it mushy and gummy.
• Even though gnocchi only takes a few minutes to cook, it maintains its structure even when reheated, so don't worry about reheating leftovers if you have any.
• Use lentils instead of white beans for a "meatier" texture.
• Add crushed red pepper for a spicier option.
• Keep fresh gnocchi in the fridge for up to 1 month; once opened, use within 48 hours. Vacuum-packed gnocchi can be stored in a dark, dry cupboard for up to 3 months. Once opened, store it in the fridge and use it within 3 days.

For a quick and easy weeknight meal, try this delicious Tuscan Gnocchi Recipe.

Vegan Italian Recipes to Try!

If you love this Tuscan Gnocchi, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you!

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