Healthy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi (Print Version)

Fluffy gnocchi with smoked salmon, creamy sauce, fresh herbs, and greens for a light, flavorful meal.

# What You Need:

→ Gnocchi

01 - 1.1 pounds whole wheat or potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)

→ Sauce & Vegetables

02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
05 - 3.5 ounces baby spinach, roughly chopped
06 - 3.4 fluid ounces low-fat crème fraîche or Greek yogurt
07 - Zest and juice of 1 lemon
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Smoked Salmon

10 - 5.3 ounces smoked salmon, sliced into strips

→ Garnish

11 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
12 - Extra lemon wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook according to package instructions, until they float to the surface (about 2–3 minutes). Drain and set aside.
02 - Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and shallot, sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
03 - Add spinach and cook, stirring, until just wilted, about 1 minute.
04 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in crème fraîche (or Greek yogurt), lemon zest, and lemon juice. Season with salt, pepper, and half the dill.
05 - Add cooked gnocchi to the skillet, tossing gently to coat in the sauce. Warm through for 1–2 minutes.
06 - Remove from heat. Fold in smoked salmon strips—let residual heat warm the salmon without overcooking.
07 - Divide among plates. Sprinkle with remaining dill and chives. Serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It feels fancy enough for dinner guests but comes together in under 30 minutes
  • The sauce is creamy and satisfying without being heavy
02 -
  • Overcooking the salmon makes it tough and grainy, so trust the residual heat method
  • The sauce can tighten up quickly, so have a splash of pasta water ready if needed
03 -
  • Reserve a splash of gnocchi cooking water to loosen the sauce if it gets too thick
  • Buy good-quality smoked salmon since it's the star of the show