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Creamy Chorizo Gnocchi

A cozy, rich dish made with soft gnocchi, crispy chorizo, and a creamy sauce, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, Spanish
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 16 ounces gnocchi Shelf-stable, refrigerated, or frozen
  • 8 ounces chorizo Fresh Mexican or Spanish cured, both work
  • 1 medium onion, diced For sweetness and aroma
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced Add aroma
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste Adds depth and color
  • 1 cup heavy cream Backbone of the sauce; can use half-and-half with a pat of butter
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth Thins the sauce
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated For a salty, nutty finish
  • 2 cups spinach Optional for added color and balance
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes Optional heat booster
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter For sautéing
  • to taste salt Season at the end
  • to taste black pepper Season at the end

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Brown the chorizo in a large skillet over medium heat. If using fresh chorizo, break it apart with a spoon. If using cured chorizo, slice it thin and cook with a splash of olive oil until crispy.
  2. Push the chorizo to one side and sauté a diced onion in the rendered fat until soft and golden.
  3. Add minced garlic and a tablespoon of tomato paste to the pan, cooking for one to two minutes.
  4. Pour in chicken or vegetable broth and heavy cream, stirring well. Let the sauce bubble gently until it thickens slightly.
Cooking Gnocchi
  1. Stir in the gnocchi, which should cook in about 3 to 5 minutes. If the sauce gets too thick, add more broth.
  2. Fold in spinach until it wilts if desired.
Finishing Touches
  1. Turn off the heat and add grated parmesan cheese, stirring until melted.
  2. Optionally, add red pepper flakes for extra heat, finish with black pepper and a squeeze of lemon.
Serving
  1. Spoon the gnocchi into bowls, sprinkle with additional parmesan and garnish with chopped parsley if available.

Notes

Choose chorizo based on preference for heat and flavor. Fresh chorizo offers crumbles and spice; Spanish chorizo is smoky. Leftovers can be stored for up to 3 days and reheated with broth or milk.