Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe
Creamy smoked salmon gnocchi is the ultimate cozy dinner for two. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the creamiest, most indulgent sauce that’s better than takeout. The trick I discovered is to use a mix of heavy cream and Parmesan cheese for a rich, velvety sauce that coats each gnocchi perfectly. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Bruschetta with Heirloom Tomatoes and Fresh Basil and Creamy Garlic Mushroom Stuffed Shells Recipe for Dinner.
Why This Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe Is Pure Comfort
- The rich, creamy sauce is irresistible
- Smoked salmon adds a delightful smoky flavor
- Ready in just 20 minutes for a quick dinner
- Easier than takeout and just as delicious
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
- 8 oz smoked salmon
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Optional: Additional fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Gnocchi: Use store-bought or homemade gnocchi. Fresh or frozen both work well.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Heavy-duty skillet — Evenly cooks gnocchi and prevents burning → See on Amazon
- Microplane zester/grater — Effortlessly grates garlic and Parmesan cheese → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe
- Cook gnocchi: Boil gnocchi according to package instructions until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, sauté minced garlic over medium heat until fragrant.
- Add cream and cheese: Pour in heavy cream and stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add gnocchi and salmon: Add cooked gnocchi and torn smoked salmon to the skillet. Toss to combine and coat in the creamy sauce.
- Season and serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the gnocchi. They can become mushy. To prevent this, cook them just until they float to the surface of the water.
- Pro tip: For an extra touch of elegance, add a drizzle of truffle oil to the finished dish.
- Pro tip: To make this dish even creamier, stir in a tablespoon of butter just before serving.
Storing & Reheating Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: This dish is best made fresh, but you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time.
Freezing Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe
Freezing not recommended for this dish.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: If you don't have smoked salmon, you can substitute it with regular salmon or even canned tuna.
- Make-ahead: You can cook the gnocchi and sauté the garlic ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge until ready to use.
- Scaling: This recipe serves 2. To serve more, simply double or triple the ingredients.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little bit of pasta water or milk.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality non-stick skillet — Ensures even cooking and prevents sticking for perfect gnocchi every time → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb gnocchi
- 8 oz smoked salmon
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
Optional Toppings
- Additional fresh parsley, chopped
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook gnocchi: Boil gnocchi according to package instructions until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, sauté minced garlic over medium heat until fragrant.
- Add cream and cheese: Pour in heavy cream and stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add gnocchi and salmon: Add cooked gnocchi and torn smoked salmon to the skillet. Toss to combine and coat in the creamy sauce.
- Season and serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: If you don't have smoked salmon, you can substitute it with regular salmon or even canned tuna.
- Make-ahead: You can cook the gnocchi and sauté the garlic ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge until ready to use.
- Scaling: This recipe serves 2. To serve more, simply double or triple the ingredients.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little bit of pasta water or milk.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freezing not recommended for this dish.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: This dish is best made fresh, but you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 780
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 45g
- Carbs: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1700mg
- Cholesterol: 160mg
- Sat. Fat: 28g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi Dinner Recipe FAQs
While you can prepare some ingredients ahead, this dish is best made fresh. The gnocchi can become soggy if made too far in advance.
Overcooking the gnocchi can result in a dry dish. To prevent this, cook them just until they float to the surface of the water.
While you can cook the gnocchi in the air fryer, the sauce is best made on the stovetop for optimal creaminess.
Regular salmon or canned tuna can be used as a substitute for smoked salmon in this recipe.
While this dish is delicious, it's not the best choice for make-ahead Thanksgiving meals due to the delicate nature of the gnocchi and the sauce.
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!
