This is about as simple as it gets and is delicious in equal measures! I’m making enough to serve 6-8 people here as I like to leave leftovers for another day so feel free to half everything if you want to make a smaller amount!

Baby (now 8 months old) loved this dish and ate almost as much as me! so it was very much appreciated by everyone.

The instructions on the gnocchi tells you to boil it but it’s way better pan fried (in butter!!) so that’s how I’ve done it- you’re very welcome to boil instead if you prefer.

Ingredients-

One onion

Olive oil

*optional- 1/2 teaspoon of sugar

6 cloves of garlic

*Optional- 4 rashers of smoked bacon

3 large fresh tomatoes (preferably grown locally so they’re in season)

2 tablespoons of fresh parsley

Tin of chopped tomatoes

Black pepper

Butter

2 packs of vacuum packed gnocchi (500g each)- mine were from Aldi

150g mascarpone

200g spinach

3-4 tablespoons of fresh basil

Parmesan or Cheddar

Finely chop the onion and garlic. Cut the tomatoes into small chunks

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan and add the onions. Cook on a low to medium heat for as long as you can! At least 6minutes but ideally 10-15mins. You want them to loose their ‘bite’

This part is optional but for a slightly caramelised taste add half a spoon of sugar around halfway through.

Meanwhile- another optional extra is to add bacon. If you’re doing that use kitchen scissors to cut into chunks.

This step pleases my carnivore of a husband who doesn’t consider a meal complete without some form of meat in it!!

Roughly chop the parsley (not too small)

Add the garlic to the pan and cook for another 2mins

Turn the heat up to medium high and add the bacon, stirring until it’s all cooked through

Add the fresh tomatoes and the parsley and stir through

Add the tinned tomatoes and plenty of black pepper

Bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer for around 10mins

In a large frying pan heat a large nob of butter and a tablespoon of olive oil

Add the gnocchi and fry for around 10mins in total, stirring regularly

Add the mascarpone to the tomato sauce and continue to simmer for 2mins

Add the spinach, a handful at a time, then stir through to wilt 

Pour the sauce over the gnocchi and stir through

Finally add the basil (roughly torn) and mix through- it’s ready- serve straight away!

Top with Parmesan or cheddar and enjoy!