Sweet potato gnocchi is so easy and delicious! It only needs three ingredients and takes about 20 minutes to make. Here, I’ve paired it with a quick creamy spinach sauce that’s rich and tasty. I’ve used mostly frozen ingredients, so this is a convenient meal to put together quickly, though you can use fresh as well.
Commissioned recipe.
It’s nearly Mother’s Day, so I created this feast in honour of my mum. She moved from Northern Ireland to be closer to us when I had my daughter and she has been an incredible help to us all.
She’s there to help with the school runs, to sew the badges onto Beaver’s jumpers, to kiss grazed knees and to give the best Grandma cuddles.
For me, she’s there for trips to the theatre, coffee breaks, chats and to be one of my chief taste testers. She looks after the kids so Marc and I can escape to the pub sometimes and she takes me to the shops because I hate driving.
She’s amazing and no words (or cake!) could ever repay her for doing so much for us. Thank you mum. xx
I’ve been working with Iceland Foods quite a lot and they challenged me to create a three-course meal for Mother’s Day, using frozen foods to highlight the Power of Frozen.
Just check out this spread! And it all came from convenient frozen foods.
As I perused the aisles, I was spoilt for choice. I wanted to make the main course from scratch, but I knew that I could find some convenient gems for the starter and dessert.
I planned to use their frozen sweet potato mash for the gnocchi, which would be filling, so I settled on a lighter soup for starters. The tomato and basil soup was perfect.
As for the dessert, I spent ages hovering over the cabinet trying to decide. There were cheesecakes, mousses and puddings all calling my name. I settled on the chocolate and hazelnut marquise – because, you know, chocolate is everything.
I served them with some frozen berries that I had in the freezer already.
Gnocchi is surprisingly simple to make at home, and is a fantastic way to use up leftover mash. I made mine with sweet potato mash as I love the flavour and sweetness that it brings.
It really is a matter of just mixing three ingredients together, then rolling it out and cutting it. Boil for a few minutes and presto – gnocchi! You can adapt this recipe with normal potatoes or even purple potatoes. Try adding herbs or spices for a bit of variety! You could even make it with this easy instant pot mashed potato.
I packed quite a lot of vegetables into this meal, as I always try to do.
Recently, it has been in the press that we should be aiming for 10 portions of fruit/veg a day, rather than the current government guidelines of 5. I’ve had this in mind a lot recently and although it’s not always achievable, there are plenty of ways to make it easier.
I keep Iceland’s frozen smoothie packs in the freezer and have those most mornings for breakfast. Then it’s usually soup for lunch with fresh veggies and hummus. For dinner I’ll often stir fry Iceland’s Zesty Bean Quinoa with some teriyaki sauce. It’s a yummy and healthy veg-packed meal in just a few minutes.
By stocking up on frozen fruit and veg, I love that I can just use what I need and it won’t wilt or go off.
I always want green at every meal, plus I needed something to cut through the richness of the gnocchi. So, I used frozen onions, garlic and spinach to quickly make this creamy spinach sauce. It’s the sort of sauce that can be used in many dishes.
I’d add a tin of tomatoes to it and bake a few eggs in for a brunch shakshuka, or even add a bit of stock and puree it for soup. Instead of adding cream, you could use coconut milk and add some chilli to make a Jamaican callaloo side dish.
It’s very versatile and I always have my freezer stocked with the ingredients.
Recipe: Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Spinach Sauce:
Easy Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Creamy Spinach Sauce
Ingredients
For the Sweet Potato Gnocchi
- 500 g frozen mashed sweet potato (or the same amount, baked and mashed until smooth)
- 250 g plain flour (all purpose), plus extra for dusting
- 1 tsp sea salt
For the Creamy Spinach Sauce
- 1 tbsp oil
- ½ onion , chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 500 g frozen spinach (5 oz)
- 1 tbsp creme fraiche (or soya cream)
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
For the sweet potato gnocchi
- Either microwave or add the frozen sweet potato to a pan over a medium heat and heat to thaw and evaporate excess moisture, according to packet instructions. If using freshly mashed sweet potato, heat it to remove moisture as well. If there are still any lumps in the mash, mash it again until smooth. Allow the potato to cool.
- In a large bowl, mix the mashed potato with half of the flour, and the salt, and mix well. Add more flour, a little at a time, to get a thick dough consistency. You may not need all of the flour. Knead the dough well to ensure the flour is all incorporated.
- Divide the dough into four equal pieces and on a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a long thin strip - about ½ inch thickness. Make a cut every 3cm, to create equal bite-sized pieces.
- Lightly dust each piece with flour, and press on them gently with a fork to create small indentation marks. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
For the creamy spinach sauce
- Heat the oil in a pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and cook for a few minutes until translucent, then add the garlic and cook, stirring, for a further minute. Add the frozen spinach to the pan and stir, allowing it to defrost.
- Transfer the spinach mixture, along with the cream and nutmeg, to a food processor or blender and whiz until smooth. Taste and season well.
Cook the gnocchi
- When you’re ready to cook the gnocchi, but a large pan of salted water onto the boil. Add the gnocchi pieces, then turn the water down to a simmer.
- Cook for a few minutes until they float. Remove with a slotted spoon and serve with the spinach sauce.
Nutrition Information
Disclosure: This recipe for Easy Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Creamy Spinach Sauce was commissioned by Iceland Foods. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that make it possible for me to write Veggie Desserts – Healthy Food and Lifestyle.
Amrita
We made this last night. Realy good. I added some chopped sage herbs to the potatoes (I didn’t use frozen, I made the potato fresh). Will made again. DIdn’t try sauce.
Rosana
This gnocchi was so easy. I don’t shop at Iceland often, but I did have some of the frozen sweet potato so I found this recipe online to use it up. It was a bit messy to roll out, but well worth it. Super yummy. I didn’t have spinach so skipped the sauce and just had it wiht olive oil and parmesan.
Anna Johnston
Yum…. what a colourful spread you’ve put together. Sweet Potatoes are in season & cheap as chips here where I live so I’m absolutely going to give this recipe a go. Thanks for sharing.
Heidi Roberts
Isn’t it amazing the sort of frozen food you can get these days! I love your home made gnocchi
GiGi
Whenever I see gnocchi… I always think about how badly everyone seems to BUTCHER is on the show Top Chef. Yours however looks like something Tom & Padma would OOOOOHHH and AHHHHHH over!
Ola
My first reaction upon seeing the photo was “Hmmmm…good”! I love spinach and anything pasta-like mixed together. I think I might try my hand at this dish
Jane
Mmmmm, I love the look of your gnocchi Kate and what a genius idea using ready prepped mashed sweet potatoes for it!
Jane x
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
I have only made gnocchi once, with regular potatoes. Loved it, and this recipe certainly sounds delicious. I did have “sweet potato” gnocchi on my “to make” list. Thanks for the great recipe.
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry
Love the way you have packed the veggies in. Great combination of sweet potato and spinach and so good for you with the iron
Elinor Kugler
I think sweet potatoes and spinach are a match made in heaven! Your gnocchi look gorgeous, and SO inviting! YUM 🙂
Pretty
I have never made gnocchi before but going to give this recipe a try as it sounds so good! I try to eat 10 fruit and veg a day but it can be hard mixing it up, it helps being a vegetarian!
Claire Jessiman
Love the idea of adding Coconut Cream to Spinach. Always have a bag of it in my freezer. So convenient to add to all sorts of dishes to bulk them out and add greens.
Kate Hackworthy
I always have frozen spinach as well. You can make so many dishes with it!
Aish Das-Padihari
Your mom sounds like an amazing person and so is my mom. I would definitely try this recipe.
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy
What a neat recipe! I always thought it was a bit more harder to make gnocchi! I gotta give this a try soon!
Kate Hackworthy
It really is surprisingly easy!
Diana
I’ve tried the chocolate hazelnut marquise cake from Iceland Foods and it’s really really good! The gnocchi look so perfect, you’re making me really hungry now!
Kate Hackworthy
The marquise is divine! And the gnocchi is super easy 🙂
Tara
Yum! Your gnocchi look absolutely perfect! I love how easy the meal is to put together using frozen ingredients. So delicious and good for you too!
Kate Hackworthy
Frozen ingredients really does make this a speedy meal!
J @ Bless Her Heart Y'all
Three ingredients to get to all of this deliciousness?!? I’m in! I’ve never had sweet potato gnocchi but it sounds and looks amazing!
Kate Hackworthy
It really is that easy! I hope you give it a try.
Julia @ HappyFoods Tube
What a great recipe. My mom would make similar spinach sauce when I was a kid. Love the sweet potato gnocchi and can’t wait to try making them myself!
Kate Hackworthy
I hope you enjoy the sweet potato gnocchi!
Ali @ Home & Plate
Wow that looks delicious. I have never made my own pasta but making gnocchi looks easier than the longer versions. I think the flavors are a great combination and what a delicious way to end the day.
Kate Hackworthy
Gnocchi is definitely easier than pasta! I hope you get to try it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Gnocchi is one of my favorite things to make homemade!
Kate Hackworthy
It’s so quick and easy, isn’t it!
Liv
Oh wow I am loving this recipe! I just recently made a cream sauce out of cashews but would you believe it I’ve been vegan for years and NEVER bought any creamed soy ! I will have to make this recipe and try out these products
Kate Hackworthy
I hope you enjoy it! I love cashew cream, but some dishes just need something a little lighter – hence creamed soy!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
I actually have a bag of their sweet potato mash in my freezer so I am so gonna make this. 🙂
Kate Hackworthy
I hope you enjoy it!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
I’ve made sweet potato gnocchi and while I love it, it’s an endeavor. Even just two pounds of potatoes can turn into a mountain of work! Kudos to you for taking on the dragon!
Kate Hackworthy
I found it surprisingly easy to make! Quite theraputic to mash, mix, roll and cut!
Chris @thinlyspread
It’s so lovely having Mum nearby, mine moved from the Midlands about 8 years ago and it’s been a lifesaver! I’ve got that very bag of frozen sweet potato (well, not THAT bag, that’s yours, but the same stuff from Iceland) in my freezer right now and my lot love gnocchi to that’s dinner sorted!
Kate Hackworthy
I hope you enjoy it! It’s lovely having mum nearby x
Hayley Warren
This sounds amazing! I’ll definitely have to try it out!
Natasha Mairs
This looks so nice!! I love spinach and sweet potatos, so would love to try this
Andrea @ The Petite Cook
Oh my! Gnocchi are one of my fav things in the world, and yours look, simply perfection (said from an italian is a true compliment)! I could eat something like this everyday 🙂
Kate Hackworthy
A true compliment indeed! You’ve made my day 🙂
Choclette
Your mum sounds wonderful and so does this gnocchi. What a brilliant idea to have mashed sweet potato readily available. Iceland keep adding such interesting new products to their frozen veggies.
Kate Hackworthy
Iceland really do have some great products!