Healthy Smoked Salmon Gnocchi (Printable)

Tender gnocchi paired with silky smoked salmon, fresh spinach, and a creamy lemon-dill sauce.

# What You Need:

→ Gnocchi

01 - 1.1 lbs whole wheat or potato gnocchi, store-bought or homemade

→ Sauce & Vegetables

02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
05 - 3.5 oz baby spinach, roughly chopped
06 - 0.4 cup low-fat crème fraîche or Greek yogurt
07 - Zest and juice of 1 lemon
08 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Smoked Salmon

10 - 5.3 oz smoked salmon, sliced into strips

→ Garnish

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

# How To Cook:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the gnocchi and cook according to package instructions until they float to the surface, approximately 2–3 minutes. Drain thoroughly using a colander and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped shallot, sautéing for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and translucent, being careful not to brown the garlic.
03 - Add the chopped baby spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until just wilted, about 1 minute. The spinach should remain bright green and tender.
04 - Reduce heat to low setting. Stir in crème fraîche (or Greek yogurt), lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice. Season generously with salt, black pepper, and half of the chopped dill. Simmer gently for 1 minute.
05 - Add the cooked, drained gnocchi to the skillet. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat each piece evenly in the creamy sauce. Warm through for 1–2 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
06 - Remove the skillet from heat completely. Fold in the smoked salmon strips, allowing the residual heat to gently warm the salmon without overcooking it. The salmon should remain tender and silky.
07 - Divide the gnocchi mixture evenly among four serving plates. Sprinkle with the remaining fresh dill and finely chopped chives. Serve immediately with additional lemon wedges on the side for squeezing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You get that indulgent creaminess without the heavy cream hangover
  • The whole thing comes together in under 30 minutes but looks like you fussed
  • Smoked salmon transforms simple gnocchi into something that feels special enough for company
02 -
  • Do not overcook the gnocchi or they will turn gummy instead of staying tender and light
  • Adding smoked salmon off the heat prevents it from becoming tough or rubbery
  • Greek yogurt can curdle if the pan is too hot, so reduce the temperature before stirring it in
03 -
  • Room temperature yogurt or crème fraîche blends more smoothly into the sauce
  • Grate your lemon zest before juicing so you do not struggle to get it afterwards

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