Indulge in a restaurant-quality meal right at home with this incredibly delicious and easy Creamy Salmon Gnocchi recipe. This dish brings together tender, pan-seared salmon, pillowy soft gnocchi, and a luscious garlic cream sauce with a hint of lemon and fresh dill. It’s the kind of comforting meal that feels elegant and special, yet it comes together in just 30 minutes, making it absolutely perfect for a busy weeknight. If you’ve been searching for a way to elevate your dinner routine, this is it.
We combine simple, fresh ingredients to create layers of flavor that are truly irresistible. The salmon is cooked to perfection, flaky and moist, providing a rich contrast to the soft, chewy gnocchi. The sauce is the star that ties everything together—a velvety, savory cream sauce that coats every single piece of gnocchi. It’s a complete, satisfying meal all in one pan.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Salmon Gnocchi Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This entire dish is ready from start to finish in about 30 minutes, minimizing your time in the kitchen.
- One-Pan Meal: We use one skillet for the majority of the cooking, which means less cleanup for you.
- Restaurant-Quality Flavor: The combination of garlic, cream, parmesan, lemon, and dill creates a sophisticated sauce that tastes like it came from a high-end Italian restaurant.
- Incredibly Satisfying: It’s a hearty and comforting dish that will leave you feeling completely satisfied.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create its signature flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Salmon Fillets: Look for fresh, skinless salmon fillets. They will be the star of the dish.
- Gnocchi: Store-bought potato gnocchi works perfectly and saves a lot of time.
- Heavy Cream: This is the base of our luxurious, creamy sauce.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts beautifully and adds a salty, nutty taste.
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Adds depth to the sauce.
- Spinach: Fresh baby spinach wilts perfectly into the sauce, adding nutrients and color.
- Lemon: Both the juice and zest are used to brighten up the dish.
- Fresh Dill: The classic pairing for salmon, dill adds a fresh, herby note.
- Olive Oil & Butter: For searing the salmon and sautéing the aromatics.
- Salt & Black Pepper: To season everything to perfection.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this Creamy Salmon Gnocchi is straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.
1. Prepare and Sear the Salmon
Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. This step is crucial for getting a beautiful sear. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the salmon in the hot pan and sear for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
2. Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce
In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Pour in the broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Whisk in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Let it bubble gently for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
3. Cook the Gnocchi and Spinach
Add the gnocchi directly to the simmering sauce. Stir to coat, then cover the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the gnocchi are tender and have floated to the surface. Stir in the fresh spinach, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Continue to cook until the spinach has wilted completely. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Combine and Serve
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh dill. Flake the cooked salmon into large chunks and gently fold them into the creamy gnocchi. Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh dill and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Pro Tips for Perfect Salmon Gnocchi
- Don’t Overcook the Salmon: Salmon cooks quickly. Keep a close eye on it and remove it from the pan as soon as it’s cooked to your liking. It will continue to cook slightly from residual heat.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy. Grating your own ensures a silky smooth sauce.
- Toast the Gnocchi: For extra texture, you can pan-fry the boiled gnocchi in a little butter until golden brown before adding them to the sauce. This is an optional step but adds a lovely dimension. For a similar gnocchi dish with a different protein, check out this delicious Chicken Gnocchi Soup.
Delicious Variations to Try
This recipe is fantastic as is, but you can easily customize it to your liking.
- Add Veggies: Sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus, or mushrooms would be excellent additions. Sauté them after the garlic before adding the broth.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a little bit of heat.
- Use Smoked Salmon: For a different flavor profile, stir in flaked hot-smoked salmon at the end instead of pan-searing fresh salmon.
- Swap the Protein: This creamy sauce is versatile. If you enjoy this, you’ll love this similar Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta.
What to Serve with Salmon Gnocchi
This Creamy Salmon Gnocchi is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides.
- A Simple Green Salad: A crisp salad with a light vinaigrette cuts through the richness of the cream sauce.
- Crusty Bread: Perfect for sopping up every last bit of the delicious sauce. Garlic bread would be even better!
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted asparagus or broccoli complements the flavors of the dish beautifully.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover salmon gnocchi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the gnocchi rubbery and overcook the salmon.
For another creamy and cheesy dish that stores well, try our Stovetop Mac and Cheese.
FAQs about Creamy Salmon Gnocchi
This dish is best served immediately, as the cream sauce is at its peak texture. If you need to make it ahead, you can prepare the sauce and cook the salmon, then cook the gnocchi and combine everything just before serving.
Absolutely! This recipe is designed for convenience and works perfectly with store-bought, shelf-stable potato gnocchi. It saves time and makes this a true 30-minute meal.
The key is to sear it separately first and remove it from the pan while it’s just cooked through. It will be added back at the very end to warm up, preventing it from cooking further and becoming dry.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat. Add a splash of milk or cream to help loosen the sauce as it warms up.
This dish is very rich and satisfying on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a simple green salad with vinaigrette, steamed or roasted asparagus, or a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious cream sauce.
Share Your Creation!
I hope you love this Creamy Salmon Gnocchi recipe as much as I do! It’s a true showstopper that’s secretly simple to make. If you try it, please leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out. Don’t forget to share your beautiful creations on Pinterest!
Creamy Salmon Gnocchi Recipe
Creamy Salmon Gnocchi (Ready in 30 Minutes!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Pat the salmon fillets dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear salmon for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the broth to deglaze, scraping any bits from the bottom. Whisk in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken.
- Add the gnocchi to the sauce, stir, cover, and cook for 3-4 minutes until they are tender and float. Stir in the fresh spinach, lemon zest, and lemon juice until the spinach has wilted.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in the grated Parmesan and fresh dill until the cheese is melted. Flake the cooked salmon into large pieces and gently fold into the creamy gnocchi. Serve immediately, garnished with more dill.
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure you use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the smoothest sauce. Pre-shredded cheeses can make the sauce grainy.
Tip 3: Don't overcrowd the pan when searing the salmon. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure a good crust.
