Italian One-Dish Wonder

Today was one of those long, busy days where I couldn't wait to get home, sit on the couch and get sucked into some terrible television. On days like this I like to make dinners that are fast, filling and a little comforting. Italian food is always a good choice on nights like these, but pasta can be less than healthy and it gets old after a while! Using gnocchi instead of pasta makes for a nice change. If you want to make this meal even healthier, substitute the regular gnocchi for whole wheat gnocchi (found at most grocery stores).


Skillet Gnocchi with Spinach & White Beans
- about 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 16 oz package gnocchi
- 1-2 gloves garlic, minced (depends on how much you like garlic - I love it so I use 2 large cloves)
- small onion, minced
- 1/2 cup water
- roughly 6 cups organic baby spinach (or chopped chard is a great alternative)
- can organic diced tomatoes (I prefer fire-roasted)
- can organic cannellini beans
- about a half cup mozzerella and a fourth cup parmesan (or any Italian cheese you have on hand - I love Romano personally)
1.) Heat about a tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add gnocchi and cook, stirring often until the gnocchi plumps and starts to brown (5-7 min.). Transfer the gnocchi to a bowl.
2.) Add another tablespoon olive oil to your skillet. Add the minced onion and cook over medium heat for a couple minutes. Stir in minced garlic and water. Cover and cook until the onion is soft (4-6 min.). Add Spinach and cook, stirring until the spinach starts to wilt (1-2 min.) Stir in the tomatoes and beans and bring to a simmer. Pour the gnocchi back into the skillet and stir. Top the mixture with cheese and cover until the cheese melts.

I love this recipe because it uses simple ingredients found in your pantry. Cannelini beans are delicious and provide a great source of protein and fiber. Spinach is high in phytonutrients, vitamin C, B2. B6, E, zinc, etc. etc. etc. (seriously, it is one of the most nutrient dense foods you can get!). Fresh garlic also provides antioxidants and can reduce high cholesterol levels (not to mention it keeps away any bad vampires... hopefully not Edward though ;-)

Ryan and I enjoyed this meal with a bottle of a chianti I got at a little store up the street. The wine really pulled the ingredients together and brought out the true Italian feel to the meal.

Happy Eating!