Smoky Gnocchi with Spinach and Goat Cheese
Quick and easy to cook over an open fire, on a camping stove, and definitely straightforward at home, saucy, satisfying, and loaded with wilted spinach, fresh basil, and melty goat cheese, Smoky Gnocchi with Spinach and Goat Cheese is our favourite camping meal and an easy go to for weeknight dinners.
Servings: 3 to 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 package prepared gnocchi regular or gluten free, approx. 500 grams
- 1-2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 - 2.5 cups of your preferred pasta sauce I prefer brands that contain no added sugar
- 1 large handful fresh basil
- 3-4 cups baby spinach
- 70 gms chevre / soft unripened goat’s milk cheese approx. half a traditional log of chevre, or creamy vegan nut cheese substitute if desired
- ⅛ teaspoon teaspoon smoked paprika optional, to provide a smoky note if cooking over a camp stove or at home
- optional fresh arugula, grated parmesan, and chilli flakes for garnish
Instructions
- Place a medium to large pan on a grate over your fire if cooking outdoors - I use a 10” cast iron pan. Or if cooking at home, place your pan over medium high heat. Add about 2 inches of water to the pan and let come to a boil.
- Once the water is bubbling, add the gnocchi and cook, stirring regularly, until almost all the water has boiled away and the gnocchi are tender and are coated in the last of the starchy water. This may take up to 10 minutes depending on the strength of your fire and the size and type of your gnocchi.
- Drizzle in the olive oil, stir, and leave the gnocchi to pan fry for a few minutes, making sure to stir often to prevent sticking or burning, adjusting your position over the fire as needed, or reducing your stovetop heat to medium.
- Add in the pasta sauce and baby spinach, and cook and stir until the spinach has wilted. Tear up and add in the basil, stir, and dollop in the goat cheese.
- Remove your pan from the fire or stove, stir partially, so that melty pockets of the goat cheese adorn the surface, and serve to your hungry and eager admirers.
- Additional and complementary optional toppings include a handful of fresh arugula, grated parmesan, dried chilli flakes, an extra glug of olive oil, and a big hunk of bread to sop up all of that delicious sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
While the serving size states it can serve 3-4 people, I have on occasion been known to eat a third if not more of the gnocchi on my own if I have had a very active day, so, judge you portion sizes accordingly! This is a very filling dish, so certainly 4 people normally hungry could eat this along with some bread and a bit of salad and be satisfied I think.