Utterly indulgent, these pan-fried gnocchi with creamy spinach and mushrooms make a yummy main course that is quick and easy to make.
![Pan-fried Gnocchi with Creamy Spinach and Mushrooms [vegan]](https://theflexitarian.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Pan-fried-gnocchi-with-creamy-spinach-mushrooms-vegan-v82-LR-%C2%A9-Annabelle-Randles-The-Flexitarian-683x1024.jpg)
Utterly indulgent, these pan-fried gnocchi with creamy spinach and mushrooms make a yummy main course that is quick and easy to make. Simply soak the cashews first and you will have a comforting dinner on the table in less than 40 minutes.
For this recipe, the mushrooms and spinach are cooked in one pan, while the gnocchi are pan-fried in another. You can prepare the cashew sauce while everything else is on the stove.
I like to serve this dish topped with a generous dusting of my vegan parmesan and some freshly chopped parsley.
Nut-Free Option: If you prefer a nut-free version you can swap the cashew sauce with 300ml [US 1 1/4 cup] of (dairy-free) cream. Follow the rest of the instructions below adding Dijon mustard, nutritional yeast, lemon juice and nutmeg, but not the water as the cream will be liquid enough.
Pan-fried gnocchi vs boiled gnocchi?
If you have never pan-fried gnocchi before, then trust me, this is something you must absolutely try. While boiled gnocchis are soft and slightly stodgy, pan-fried gnocchi are deliciously crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Best of all they only take around 10mins to cook.
If you love Italian food, you should also try …
I got to love Italian food thanks to my Sicilian great-aunt. She was a fantastic cook, sparing no time or effort to prepare the most magnificent feasts for the family.
One of her signature dishes was this old family recipe which we call back home “Pâtes à l’ail“.
I add my own twist to give it a vegan protein boost with cannellini beans. Bursting with flavours this Garlic & Tomato Pasta makes a delicious and easy summer dish. You can serve it slightly warm or at room temperature. It is also scrumptious the next day as a cold leftover.⠀
If you do make this pan-fried gnocchi with creamy spinach and mushroom recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram!
Pan-fried Gnocchi with Creamy Spinach and Mushrooms [vegan]
Equipment
Disclaimer: the equipment list above includes affiliate links to products I use and like.
Ingredients
- 1 medium red onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- olive oil
- 175 g mushrooms
- 1 tsp dried Italian herb mix
- 3 handfuls spinach
- 8 sundried tomatoes
- 500 g fresh gnocchi
CASHEW SAUCE:
- 125 g unsalted cashews
- 250 ml water
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
- juice of 1/2 lemon to taste
- grated nutmeg to taste
- Salt and pepper
TO SERVE:
- vegan parmesan
- fresh parsley
Instructions
- Put the cashews in a bowl. Add 200 ml of boiling water. Leave to soak covered for 20 minutes. (Alternatively, you can soak the cashews for 4hrs to overnight in a bowl of cold water).
- Drain the cashews and place them in a blender with 250ml water, Dijon mustard, nutritional yeast,. 1/2 lemon juice, some grated nutmeg. Whizz until smooth. Season to taste.
- Heat some olive oil in a frying pan. Add finely sliced red onion and fry gently until soft. Add the grated garlic cloves, finely chopped mushrooms and dried Italian herb mix. Fry under medium heat until the mushrooms are browned all over.
- In the meantime heat some olive oil in another large frying pan. Add the fresh gnocchis straight from the bag (there is no need to precook them). Pan-fry the gnocchi for 8-10 mins until crisp and golden.
- When the mushrooms are cooked, add the spinach and the chopped sundried tomatoes and cook until the spinach is wilted.
- Mix together the pan-fried gnocchi, spinach and mushroom mix and cashew sauce in one of the pan. Season to taste.
- Serve with some vegan parmesan and chopped fresh parsely on top.
Nutrition
Find this recipe online:
Pan-fried Gnocchi with Creamy Spinach and Mushrooms [vegan]
https://theflexitarian.co.uk/recipe-items/pan-fried-gnocchi-with-creamy-spinach-and-mushrooms-vegan/
I cannot wait to see your posts!
Other things you might like
This was sooo very good. It reminded me of a stroganoff with its mushrooms, red onion and creaminess. The sharper hints of flavor from the sundried tomatoes and lemon were beautifully balanced by the complexity of the nutmeg (not a flavor my husband could pick out directly). This will be added to my rotation. Quick, easy, and yummy. Loved the pan fried gnocchi too.
So glad you both enjoyed it. Thank you for your feedback. Annabelle x
This was delicious. The sauce seemed thin and bland on its own but when cooked with the vegetables it thickened up nicely and absorbed lots of flavour. A keeper! Thanks ????
So glad you liked the recipe. Thank you xx