Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe
Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi is a quick and easy dinner recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping the gnocchi from sticking is to toss them in butter immediately after cooking. The result is a creamy, comforting dish that’s ready in just 20 minutes. The smoky salmon and rich cream sauce make this a cozy winter dinner you’ll love. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Irish Whiskey Steak with Creamy Colcannon Mash and Creamy Orange Blossom Semolina Pudding with Pistachios.
Why This Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- It's ready in just 20 minutes
- The smoky salmon adds a depth of flavor
- It's a cozy, comforting dinner perfect for winter
What You'll Need for Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb gnocchi
- 6 oz smoked salmon
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- gnocchi: You can use store-bought or homemade gnocchi for this recipe.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Saucepan — Even heat distribution for perfect cooking → See on Amazon
- Box Grater — Effortless grating for quick prep → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe
- Cook the gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook until they float to the surface, about 2-3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the onions and garlic: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the cream and salmon: Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Add the smoked salmon and cook until it starts to break apart, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine and serve: Add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet and toss to coat in the creamy sauce. Stir in the lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the gnocchi. They can become mushy and break apart. Keep an eye on them and drain as soon as they float to the surface.
- Pro tip: For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Pro tip: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove over low heat.
Storing & Reheating Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Up to 3 days Make-ahead tip: The sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated on the stove.
Freezing Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe
Not recommended
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: 350°F for 10-15 minutes Microwave: 1-2 minutes
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the smoked salmon for cooked bacon or ham.
- Make-ahead: The sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated on the stove.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little bit of milk or chicken broth.
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Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb gnocchi
- 6 oz smoked salmon
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
Seasonings
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Optional Toppings
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook the gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook until they float to the surface, about 2-3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the onions and garlic: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the cream and salmon: Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Add the smoked salmon and cook until it starts to break apart, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine and serve: Add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet and toss to coat in the creamy sauce. Stir in the lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the smoked salmon for cooked bacon or ham.
- Make-ahead: The sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated on the stove.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little bit of milk or chicken broth.
Storage
- Fridge: Up to 3 days
- Freezer: Not recommended
- Oven reheat: 350°F for 10-15 minutes
- Microwave reheat: 1-2 minutes
- Make ahead: The sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated on the stove.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sat. Fat: 17g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe FAQs
Yes, the sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated on the stove. However, the gnocchi is best cooked fresh.
Overcooking the gnocchi can cause them to become mushy and break apart. Keep an eye on them and drain as soon as they float to the surface.
No, this dish does not freeze well due to the creamy sauce.
No, this dish is best cooked on the stove top.
You can substitute the smoked salmon for cooked bacon or ham.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
