Creamy baked gnocchi with squash & spinach

Impress dinner guests with this oozy squash and spinach gnocchi dish. Guests will never know you made it in just 30 minutes with the help of a microwave

Prep:15 mins
Cook:15 mins

Serves 3
Easy

Nutrition per serving

kcal 834
fat 46g
saturates 27g
carbs 84g
sugars 0g
fibre 8g
protein 18g
salt 1g

Ingredients

600g butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into small chunks (450g prepared weight)
1 tbsp olive oil, plus a drizzle (for optional air-frying)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
160g baby leaf spinach
250g mascarpone
grating of nutmeg
30g parmesan or vegetarian alternative, grated
500g gnocchi
3 tbsp fresh or dried breadcrumbs

Method

Put the squash in a heatproof bowl with a splash of water and pinch of seasoning, then cover and microwave on high for 5 mins. Or, toss the squash in a drizzle of oil and some seasoning, and cook for 12 mins at 200C in an air fryer until soft and caramelised. It can also be roasted in the oven for 25 mins.
Meanwhile, heat 2 tsp of the oil in a large ovenproof frying pan over a medium heat and fry the garlic for 30 seconds until sizzling but not coloured. Add the spinach, season and cook until wilted.
When the squash is tender, roughly mash half of it using a fork. Stir the mashed squash and the mascarpone into the spinach, then add 150ml water and stir until you have a smooth, creamy sauce. Grate in a generous amount of nutmeg and add half the parmesan. Gently stir in the gnocchi and squash chunks to coat in the sauce. Simmer for 1-2 mins until everything is heated through, adding a splash of water if the sauce is very thick. Scatter over the breadcrumbs and remaining parmesan.
Heat the grill to medium-high, then slide the gnocchi under for a few minutes until golden and bubbling at the edges.