This creamy salmon gnocchi is so good that it is usually enjoyed even by those who are not very fond of seafood (like myself).
It can be prepared in about twenty minutes with very little effort, is budget-friendly, and is a perfect comfort food. Its sauce is hearty and yummy, and the salmon adds some delicate hints of flavor that make it simply delicious.
It’s one of my sister’s favorite dishes, and I make sure to prepare it every time she visits.
Just try it once, and I’m sure it will become a permanent entry in your rotation.
What you’ll need
The ingredient list is quite simple. All you need is the following.
Gnocchi: you can either buy them or make them in advance. It takes about 40 minutes or so. 20, if you use our ricotta gnocchi recipe. This time I bought them, though.
Onions: use a proper knife to dice it as finely as possible. If you prefer, you can use a shallot or a leek, which has a more delicate flavor.
Cooking cream: anything from your favorite grocery store will do.
Smoked salmon: choose a thin, boneless cut and dice it or cut it into small stripes.
White wine: I usually go with a local Passerina. However, you don’t need to go out of your way. Just get a crisp, dry wine from your trusted store. Here’s a nice article I found, that explains → which wine you should use for cooking seafood, risotto, and other dishes.
Extra virgin olive oil: for sauteeing.
Fine & coarse salt, ground black pepper, and freshly chopped parsley leaves: to add spiciness and some fresh hints.
If you want, you can also add some red chili flakes for color and extra spiciness. I know that some people also like to add some finely cut spinach leaves, but I haven’t tried that yet.
Now, let’s see how to make this easy comfort dish!
Method
Step 1: Fill a pot with water, bring it to a boil, and add the coarse salt.
Step 2: In the meantime, add the diced onion to a large saucepan with a drizzle of olive oil. Let it sautee until it starts to brown.
Step 3: Add the salmon. If you’re using hot smoked salmon, you can skip directly to step 4. If, on the other hand, you’re using a salmon filet, let it sear on both sides for 3-4 minutes.
Step 4: Add the wine and keep cooking until it evaporates completely.
Step 5: When the water is boiling and salted, add the gnocchi and let them cook for about 5 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when you see them floating on the surface of the water.
Step 6: While you’re waiting, add the cooking cream and the black pepper, and stir gently with a wooden spoon for a couple minutes. Add a ladleful of cooking water, and keep stirring until the sauce thickens. This way allows for the starch in the water to bond with the dairy and give the sauce a creamier texture.
Step 7: When the gnocchi are ready, drain them and add them to the saucepan. Stir well, and sprinkle the chopped parsley over everything.
Your creamy salmon gnocchi is ready. Enjoy it with a simple side salad and a glass of white wine.
FAQs
Q: Can I use garlic instead of onions?
A: Yes, lots of people do it. In fact, why not try both ways to see what you prefer?
Q: Can I add tomato paste?
A: Yes, add it to the saucepan right after the onions and then keep following the instructions I wrote above.
Q: What wine should I serve with this?
A: Choose a bottle of champagne or a sparkling white wine. If you want to know more, here is a guide for pairing different types of salmon with wine.
Creamy Salmon Gnocchi
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
1 small onion, finely diced
7 oz hot smoked salmon
2 cups cooking cream
white wine
fine and coarse salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
freshly chopped parsley to taste
extra-virgin olive oil to taste
(optional) red chili flakes to taste
Instructions
- Fill a pot with water, bring it to a boil, and add the coarse salt.
- In the meantime, add the diced onion to a large saucepan with a drizzle of olive oil. Let it sautee until it starts to brown.
- Add the salmon.
- Add about 1 glass of white wine and keep cooking until it evaporates completely.
- When the water is boiling and salted, add the gnocchi and let them cook for about 5 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when you see them floating on the surface of the water.
- While you’re waiting, add the cooking cream and the black pepper, and stir gently with a wooden spoon for a couple of minutes. Add a ladleful of the cooking water, and keep stirring until the sauce thickens. This way allows for the starch in the water to bond with the dairy and gives the sauce a creamier texture.
- When the gnocchi are ready, drain them and add them to the saucepan. Stir well, and sprinkle the chopped parsley over everything.
- Your creamy salmon gnocchi is ready. Enjoy it with a simple side salad and a glass of white wine.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Main dishes
