Gnocchi with Bacon and Spinach in a Tomato Cream Sauce

I decided to make something other than our go-to recipe, pomodoro gnocchi, and made this gnocchi with bacon and spinach in a tomato cream sauce recipe using ingredients I had on hand. This delicious gnocchi in a tomato cream sauce was quick and very easy to make, and we all loved it and thought it paired nicely with a simple salad and some crusty bread.

Gnocchi with Bacon and Spinach in a Tomato Cream Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. gnocchi, cooked per package instructions *Reserve ½ cup of cooking water
• 4 strips of bacon
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 shallot, diced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
• 1 (14-oz) can of diced tomatoes
• ¼ cup chicken broth
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup fresh parmesan, finely grated, plus more for serving
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• 2 tbsp Fresh basil, chopped
• Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste

How to Make Gnocchi with Bacon and Spinach in a Tomato Cream Sauce

Cook the gnocchi according to the package instructions. Drain, reserving ½ cup of the cooking liquid; set aside.

Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through and crisp. Place on a paper towel to drain the grease, then cut into bits. Remove the bacon grease from the skillet.

Cook the rest of the dish by adding the butter to the same skillet over medium heat, then add the shallot and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add the cooked & drained gnocchi to the skillet and lightly. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes to taste and cook, gently stirring constantly, for 1 minute.

Add the diced tomatoes, along with their juices, along with the reserved pasta water and chicken broth, then cook for 3-4 minutes.

Add the cream and finely grated parmesan and gently mix.

Add the spinach, bacon bits, and basil to the skillet, stir until combined, and cook for 1 minute. Taste and season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.

Serve immediately with extra basil and fresh parmesan on the side, if desired. Enjoy!