Easy Skillet Gnocchi in Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Easy Skillet Gnocchi in Roasted Red Pepper Sauce with Spinach & Goat Cheese! Busy weeknights are no reason to settle for subpar meals! Just a handful of ingredients come together to make this satisfying comfort food dish.

This easy Skillet Gnocchi in Roasted Red Pepper Sauce has quickly become one of my favorite easy weekday meals!

It's as simple as cooking store bought gnocchi, doctoring up some jarred marinara by blending it with a couple of roasted red peppers & garlic, and then letting it bubble away to flavorful perfection.

To add color, greens and extra oomph, a few handfuls of baby spinach are tossed in just before serving, and finally the whole thing is sprinkled with tangy goat cheese {or your favorite cheese} before it's served up.

I mean, it doesn't get much easier. And the end result? I'd say it's pretty darn tasty.

Looking for more gnocchi recipes? Try my Pesto Gnocchi or Butternut Squash Gnocchi!

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Jarred marinara sauce
• Roasted red peppers
• Garlic
• Gnocchi - I used Trader Joe's frozen cauliflower gnocchi (see note about this below), but you can use any frozen or dry gnocchi. You may need to adjust the cooking directions slightly according to the brand & type
• Baby spinach
• Crumbled goat cheese - If you don't care for goat cheese, you can use Parmesan, Italian blend or even fresh mozzarella balls

Instructions

Cook gnocchi according to package directions. If using Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi, see directions below.

Meanwhile, combine marinara sauce, roasted red peppers, garlic and red pepper flakes if desired in the blender and blend until smooth.

Pour the sauce into the skillet with the gnocchi, shaking the pan lightly to release any gnocchi that has stuck to the bottom of the skillet.

Let it bubble for about a minute, making sure all pieces are coated, then cover and continue to simmer for about 3 more minutes.

In the last minute of cooking, add the baby spinach to the top and cover once again, allowing it to steam and wilt.

When finished, carefully stir in the spinach to distribute. Sprinkle goat cheese {or preferred cheese} over the top. Serve hot.

How to Cook Trader Joe's Frozen Cauliflower Gnocchi

I often use Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi for this recipe, but it's important to note that I don't follow the package directions for best results.

There are multiple "sworn by" methods for cooking TJ's Cauliflower Gnocchi, but I've found that pan-frying them lightly then covering the pan with a lid and letting them warm through before adding any final flourishes works for me.

Some people bake them, while others air fry {this post does a great job of outlining the pros & cons of the most popular preparation methods}.

For this recipe, I use a combination of pan frying and simmering in sauce -- one of the easiest ways I've found to cook these little babies to tasty perfection.

You are welcome to use your favorite method or use traditional gnocchi instead.

Recipe FAQ's

Variations & Substitutions

Try these variations!

• Add a meaty protein in the form of cooked chicken breast or browned Italian sausage.
• Try a sprinkling the top with shredded mozzarella and then popping it under the broiler for a minute or two for a melty "baked gnocchi" version.
• Add cannellini beans and chopped kale instead of spinach for a "Tuscan-inspired" version.

Easy Skillet Gnocchi in Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

The Kitchen Prep

Easy Skillet Gnocchi in Roasted Red Pepper Sauce with Spinach & Goat Cheese! Busy weeknights are no reason to settle for subpar meals! Just a handful of items are all you need for this satisfying comfort food dish! 

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 3 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 bags gnocchi see ingredient notes
• 9 ounces jarred marinara sauce
• 2 jarred roasted red peppers
• 2 cloves of garlic
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 cups organic baby spinach
• ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese

Instructions

 

• Cook gnocchi according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, combine marinara sauce, roasted red peppers, garlic and red pepper flakes if desired in the blender and blend until smooth.
• Combine the sauce and cooked gnocchi in a large skillet. Let it bubble for about a minute, making sure all pieces are coated, then cover and continue to simmer for about 3 more minutes.
• In the last minute of cooking, add the baby spinach to the top and cover once again, allowing it to steam and wilt.
• When finished, carefully stir in the spinach to distribute. Sprinkle goat cheese {or preferred cheese} over the top. Serve hot.