This simple salmon gnocchi bake has a creamy lemon and mascarpone sauce tossed with dill and spinach and topped with a sprinkling of grated parmesan.
Light and fresh summer comfort food is where it's at.
So I guess it sounds weird to call this light but there's something about the super herby mascarpone and plenty of fresh spinach which makes this gnocchi bake feel pretty summery.
It also uses canned salmon which is one of my all time favourite store cupboard ingredients. I use it to make salmon pasta, salmon burgers and spicy salmon linguine and now this salmon baked gnocchi.
This whole dish needs just 7 ingredients to make so it's totally the kind of thing you want to make on a summer weeknight, especially here in the UK where summer definitely doesn't guarantee nice weather.
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Why we love this recipe...
- It's so easy to make this recipe which makes it perfect for a weeknight dinner
- It uses canned salmon which makes it a pretty store cupboard friendly recipe
- It's easily customisable by adding any extra vegetables to the mix that you like
- It has a creamy lemon sauce made with mascarpone and dill
Ingredients
This section is here to provide further tips and ideas for alternative ingredients. The full recipe and instructions are included in the recipe card at the bottom of the post!
- Salmon: I used tinned salmon for this recipe which makes it so easy and simple to make
- Spinach: Fresh baby leaf spinach tastes delicious in this dish
- Mascarpone: Gently melted into a sauce
- Lemon: Zest and juice added to the mascarpone for a bright freshness
- Dill: This works so well with the salmon flavour
- Gnocchi: This is cooked and then stirred through the mascarpone
- Parmesan: Grated and sprinkled over the gnocchi before baking
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make it
- Cook the gnocchi: According to packet instruction then drain and set aside.
- Make the sauce: Heat the mascarpone in a small saucepan over medium heat and add the lemon juice and zest and the dill then stir in the spinach and wilt. Add the salmon and remove from the heat.
- Make the gnocchi bake: Stir the gnocchi and sauce together in a large bowl then add to a baking dish and sprinkle with parmesan. Bake for 10 minutes and serve.
Hint: There are various different types of canned salmon, I like to make sure I get the skinless and boneless variety.
Substitutions
- Vegetarian: This baked gnocchi would still be delicious even if you left out the salmon - just make sure you're using a vegetarian parmesan as well
Variations
- Gnocchi: I love the gnocchi in this recipe but if you prefer then you could use pasta instead - just use the same method of cooking according to packet instructions and then tossing with the rest of the ingredients
- Spinach: Any leafy green vegetable would work really well here, try kale or spring greens instead
- Cheese: I love a sprinkling of parmesan over this gnocchi but some torn mozzarella would also be great
Expert tips for making this recipe
- To make this recipe gluten free simply use your favourite brand of gluten free gnocchi
- Feel free to switch out the parmesan for another cheese if you prefer
- If you're not a fan of dill then you could try using parsley or basil instead
- You could use any extra vegetables you like in this gnocchi bake although you may need to increase the amount of mascarpone slightly. Broccoli or kale would work well
- If you'd prefer to use fresh salmon then you can bake a fillet of salmon and then flake before proceeding with the recipe
- Take the mascarpone out of the fridge as soon as you start cooking so that it's coming up to room temperature ready
FAQs
We like to serve a simple salad or some crusty bread with this salmon gnocchi.
If there are any leftovers of this gnocchi bake then you can store them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat in the microwave for a couple of minutes until piping hot.
Want more? Try these other gnocchi recipes!
- 2 Ingredient Fluffy Vegan Gnocchi
- One Pot Gnocchi Bake with Tomato & Mozzarella
- Creamy Cauliflower Gnocchi
- Summer Gnocchi Skillet
- Herbed Ricotta Gnocchi with Mushrooms
- Cheesy Baked Gnocchi with Kale & Brussels Sprouts
- Butternut Squash Gnocchi
- Sausage Gnocchi with Creamy Tomato Sauce
Recipe
Salmon Gnocchi Bake with Spinach
Ingredients
- 1 7oz/200g tin Salmon drained
- 7oz /200g Baby Leaf Spinach
- 7oz /200g Mascarpone
- 2 Lemons zest and juice
- 2 ½ oz /75g Dill finely chopped
- 1lb /500g Gnocchi
- 2 ½ oz /75g Parmesan grated
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200°C/400°. Cook the gnocchi according to packet instructions.
- Heat the mascarpone in a saucepan over a medium heat and add the lemon juice and zest and dill. Season well with salt and pepper. Tip in the spinach and wilt into the sauce then add the salmon and remove from the heat.
- Add the gnocchi to a large bowl and pour over the sauce. Mix everything together then tip into a baking dish, sprinkle over the parmesan and bake for 10 minutes then serve.
Notes
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Lyndsay says
This reminded me of a grown up version of the casserole I had as a child. The gnocchi was way better than the pasta my mother used though. I’m excited about making it again!
Beth Pierce says
What a great summer recipe! I know what I will be making for dinner tomorrow; this looks fantastic!
Noelle says
I love love love this recipe, all my favorite things!!
Anita @ Daily Cooking Quest says
Indeed there is something in the combination of spinach and mascarpone that makes me think of light. And yup, this gnocchi is just perfect for lunches throughout the summer.
Hannah F Healy says
Wow, this looks so delicious! I'm drooling over my computer screen!