Archives

Date Night, Dinner ideas, New Year's, Quick and easy recipes, Vegetarian

Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi

Gallery Leave a comment

This Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi is made with sun dried tomatoes, kale and parmesan cheese. 

This Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi recipe contains no cream, so is on the lighter side and is  absolutely delicious! So if you are looking for a decadent gnocchi dish minus the excess calories? Then you have come to the right place. 

If you want to make it with cream and the vegetable stock you can as well. However, just be sure to half the vegetable stock so there is not to much liquid.

Also, be sure to sauté the sun dried tomatoes for a minimum of 2 minutes in vegetable stock, this really helps to bring out the flavors. Do this before adding back in the cooked gnocchi.

I have really started to appreciate Italian cuisines more so over the past few years, before I used to prefer Greek. I guess with time my tastes change and I’m so grateful to be able to dabble in all the amazing flavors that the World has to offer.

I could just eat this type of food everyday, nothing really compares to pillowy soft gnocchi.

And when it is tossed in a creamy sauce it’s so good, it will have you craving it often.

The nice thing about this recipe is that it can be whipped up in under 20 minutes.

Which can make for a quick and tasty weeknight meal in no time. 

Go ahead indulge no guilt here!

This recipe would be perfect for a romantic dinner idea, think Valentines day or New Years.

Also you can add some cooked shredded chicken to this or cooked bacon if desired.

As for me I like it just like this, I’m also a huge sun dried tomato lover SO I will add even more sun dried tomatoes to my dish when making it just for myself.

This recipe can be made vegan instead of just vegetarian as well. 

However you would want to replace the sour cream with a vegan options of course.

I will leave that all up to you, I hope you give it a try either way!

Sprinkle some fresh parmesan cheese on top before serving and you will be in Gnocchi heaven…

Bone appetite!

Here are some other Gnocchi recipes that you will love

Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below! ★

Date Night, Dinner ideas, Pasta, Quick and easy recipes

Easy Italian Sausage Gnocchi recipe

1 Comment

This easy creamy one pan Italian Sausage Gnocchi recipe is made with just a few simple ingredients that produce big flavors. Plus it is ready in 30 minutes which makes for a win win dinner that the whole family will enjoy!

The Gnocchi is simmered in a light cream sauce that is made of chicken stock, parmesan cheese, sour cream and Dijon mustard.

Along with fresh sage and few Italian spices that sure enhances all those ingredients very well.

Looking for more tasty recipes that utilize gnocchi? Try my Gnocchi soup or my Vegetarian Gnocchi

Isn’t this dish very similar to Tuscan style dishes?

Yes, it is. Tuscan dishes use simple ingredients that are not covered in any heavy sauces.

So even though this dish is creamy, it does not use cream or butter and is rather light.

Also you can take this dish from mild to hot simply by choosing a hotter sausage. 

We are simply substituting that heavy cream for a more healthy olive oil and chicken stock. 

So hold onto your hats for this one ladies and gents, because this dish is far more healthier than most of those Tuscan recipes out there. 

Can I replace the Sausage for Chicken?

YES, you can use a chicken breast in replace of the sausage. 

To make this dish all you will need is one large cooking pot/pan. 

Start by cooking the gnocchi by boiling it in the pot/pan.

Once that is done you can prepare the remaining ingredients.

From there everything will come together in the same pot/pan in under 15 minutes! 

This recipe can be served as a romantic dinner for two or double the recipe and then you can serve a family of four or more. 

Delizioso!

Easy Italian Sausage Gnocchi recipe

Looking for a Tuscan inspired recipe? Try my “Tuscan Salmon” it is Delicious as well. 

Other Gnocchi recipes that you’re sure to love!

Will you give this recipe a go? 

Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

 

★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below! ★

Date Night, Dinner ideas, Pasta, Quick and easy recipes, Seafood

Smoked Salmon Gnocchi

Image

This Smoked Salmon Gnocchi is made with real salmon and smoked salmon cream cheese and hits all the creamy notes.

My Smoked Salmon Gnocchi is made with fresh basil, parsley, lemon juice and whole milk. I prefer to use milk instead of cream because the cream cheese is creamy enough.

SALMON GNOCCHI

Think VALENTINES or DATE night with this one!

Since Valentines is just around the corner, I could not help myself but share this recipe with you all. The first time I had Salmon Gnocchi was actually on Valentines day a few years back.

I was  in the lower mainland and the restaurant my partner took me to was serving it as there special for the evening.

Along with white wine and the most amazing dessert! It was a memorable dinner for me and it was definitely worth the cost.

However, I have found a way to make it at home for a fraction of the cost. Now we can enjoy it whenever and not just on those special occasions!

SMOKED SALMON GNOCCHI 

You can choose to make it without the salmon fillets if desired, however I find they are a nice addition and make this more of a meal. I also love the addition of the “Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese” in this dish.

I was hesitant at first to add it, but I experimented a few times and found that 3 tbsp is the perfect amount that gives this dish the extra flavor it needs.

It really does add an extra element of flavor so be sure not to skip it. Also by adding the cream cheese you can omit the cream and replace it for a lower calorie milk option.  

Serve it in a BOWL or on a PLATE whatever tickles your FANCY!

Me having fun with the plating, don’t this look lovely!

Bon appetite! 

Other Gnocchi recipes that you’re sure to love!

Will you give this recipe a go? 

Notes: If there is skin on the salmon remove it gently once the salmon has seared. 

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe I’d love to hear about it! You can post a review, picture below or via Instagram and let me know how it turned out. ADon’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Date Night, Dinner ideas, Pasta, Quick and easy recipes

Mushroom and Spinach Gnocchi

Gallery Leave a comment

This Mushroom and Spinach Gnocchi is made with fresh parmesan cheese, spinach, mushrooms, vegetable stock, sour cream and brown butter. 

This Mushroom and Spinach Gnocchi is something extra special and may be just the ticket to getting out of doing the dishes with your spouse tonight!

Here is another popular gnocchi recipe from this blog that your also sure to enjoy! Creamy Sausage Gnocchi

Dig in!

HOW TO MAKE MUSHROOM AND SPINACH GNOCCHI 

In order to make it more savory vs creamy, I balance the  dish with vegetable stock and sour cream which helps to bring forth the herbs and spices that are also added during the cooking process. 

If you want to make it SIMPLY more creamy, mix some cream and the vegetable stock together. Just make sure your halving the vegetable stock so there is not to much liquid.

Or if you want it really creamy just use cream on it’s own.

I have really started to appreciate Italian cuisines more so over the past few years.

I guess with time my tastes change and I’m so grateful to be able to dabble in all the amazing flavors that the World has to offer.

I could just eat this type of food everyday, nothing really compares to pillowy soft gnocchi. And when it is tossed in a creamy sauce it’s to die for. 

The nice thing about this recipe is that it can be whipped up in under 20 minutes. Which can make for a quick and tasty weeknight meal in no time. Go ahead indulge no guilt here!

This recipe would be perfect for a romantic dinner idea, think Valentines day or New Years. Also you can add some cooked shredded chicken to this or cooked bacon if desired.

As for me I like it just like this, I’m also a huge sun dried tomato lover SO I will add even more sun dried tomatoes to my dish. However for this recipe, I have cut them in half for my readers as I am sure most of you would prefer a balance of flavors. 

Sprinkle some fresh parmesan cheese on top before serving and you will be in Gnocchi heaven… Bone appetite!

Be sure to sauté the sun dried tomatoes for a minimum of 2 minutes in vegetable stock, this really helps to bring out the flavors. Do this before adding back in the cooked gnocchi.

Here are some other Gnocchi recipes that you will love

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe id love to hear about it! You can post a review, picture below or via Instagram and let me know how it turned out. Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below! ★

Quick and easy recipes, Skip the takeout, Soups & Stews

Sausage Gnocchi Soup

Gallery Leave a comment

This Sausage Gnocchi Soup recipe is similar to the Italian Gardens recipe for Zuppa Toscana! 

This Sausage Gnocchi Soup recipe is one of those soups that you will want to make a big old pot of and enjoy over a few days.

Want more recipes that call for Sausages? Try my Sausage and potatoes

Zuppa Toscana is one of the Olive Garden’s most popular soups. This recipe is very similar other than instead of using spinach I used kale as that was what I had on hand. And trust me it is just as good if not better!

I really like to use “medium Italian sausage” for this recipe. However if your wanting a more spicy soup feel free to add a spicer sausage.

So if your craving a soup to warm you up, but also want a hearty meal. Then this Gnocchi Sausage Kale Soup will hit the spot!

I have always loved Italian type soups and have been testing out a few of these popular gnocchi soups for some time now.

I found that the key to making it more like a soup rather that just a pasta dish is to use “Mini Gnocchi“ for the soup, rather than regular sized gnocchi. 

If you are wondering what those look like, see this spoonful below.

My soup utilizes Kale and makes for one healthy hearty meal! You can always use spinach instead if desired!

I decided to finally share my favorite version of it with you today! Mine is pretty similar to allot of those Italian Tortellini soup recipes you will find out there.

However mine has a few differences such as mine will use kale instead of spinach and celery instead of the carrots.

Not to sure why almost all Italian tortellini soups call for carrots these days, but to me that is so wrong.

Oh and mine also has a fair amount of parmesan cheese and absolutely “no cream”. The tomatoes and cheese will make it creamy enough!

I like to use sour cream vs heavy cream as it helps to make this soup super creamy without all the extra fat. That sour cream is mixed with chicken stock or vegetable whichever you prefer to use. 

If you are planning to enjoy this soup over a couple of days, then you will want to add one more cup of stock in the soup. Since the Gnocchi tends to soak it up overnight.  Believe it or not but this soup tastes even better on the second day.

If you loved this soup? you will also love the following recipes below.

Notes: Also keep in mind, as with all my recipes. If you want to make more or less of this soup, simple adjust the serving size in the ingredients section above and the servings will automatically adjust for you. This soup can store in the fridge for up to 3 days and or freeze for up to 3 months.

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this recipe I’d love to hear about it! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox every Month!

© CanadianCookingAdventures.  All images and content are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. Please do not use any images without prior permission.  Please do not republish this recipe.  If you want to reference this recipe, link directly back to this post. Thank you, Jacqueline 

Dinner ideas, Pasta, Soups & Stews

Tortellini Kale Sausage Soup

Leave a comment

This Tortellini Kale Sausage Soup is one of those soups that you will want to make a big old pot of and enjoy over a few days. 

Believe it or not but this soup even tastes better the second day, it’s absolutely delicious! 

I have always loved Italian type soups and have been testing out a few of these tortellini sausage recipes over the past year. And decided to finally share my favorite version of it with you today! Mine is pretty similar to allot of those Italian Tortellini soup recipes you will find out there.

However mine has a few differences such as mine will use kale instead of spinach and celery instead of the carrots.

Not to sure why almost all Italian tortellini soups call for carrots these days, but to me that is so wrong. Oh and mine also has a fair amount of parmesan cheese and absolutely “no cream”.

The tomatoes and cheese will make it creamy enough!

I like to use canned tomatoes because it really helps to make this soup super creamy without all the extra fat. I do not recommend using chunked canned tomatoes as some other recipes will have you.

Unless you want a stew not a soup!

Also if you are planning to enjoy this soup over a couple of days, then you will want to add one more cup of chicken stock since the tortellini tends to soak it up overnight. 

I really like to use “spicy italian sausage” for this recipe. Trust me you won’t even notice the spice, however if you cannot get your hands on it.

Then I would recommend adding in a pinch of red pepper flakes.

You do want a little kick added to those crushed tomatoes, it really helps to pick up the flavor.

So that is about it along with some onions, celery and extra spices you too can be enjoying one of the best bowls of Tortellini Kale Sausage Soup.

Also you can use “Passata Sauce” in replace of the stewed canned tomatoes if you desire. Both products work very well for this soup, so it’s totally up to you!

So if your craving a soup to warm you up, but also want a hearty meal. Then this Parmesan Tortellini Kale Sausage Soup will hit the spot!

Notes: Also keep in mind, as with all my recipes. If you want to make more or less of this soup, simple adjust the serving size in the ingredients section above and the servings will automatically adjust for you. This soup can store in the fridge for up to 3 days and or freeze for up to 3 months.

I am so thrilled you are reading one of my recipes, if you made this, I want to see! Follow Canadian Cooking Adventures Instagram, snap a photo, and tag and hashtag it with @canadiancookingadventures and #canadiancookingadventures. 

Stay connected and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all of my latest recipes!

Date Night, Dinner ideas, Pasta, Quick and easy recipes

Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta recipe

This easy to make Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta recipe is a comforting dinner option that consists of a few simple ingredient’s that enhance the whole dish.

Love pasta just as much as me? Try this Chicken Pappardelle Pasta or Chicken and Mushroom pappardelle

SAUSAGE BOW TIE PASTA

Is hearty yet healthy and reminds me of being somewhere in Tuscany!

CAN YOU EAT SAUSAGE PASTA COLD

Yes, it can be cooled down and eaten as is. Just make sure you are doing allowing the cooling to take place in the fridge to prevent bacteria growth. 

IS SAUSAGE PASTA HEALTHY

It has protein and complex carbs in it. So depending on your diet you may want to use less pasta or a leaner sausage when making this recipe to avoid the extra calories.

However, with the addition of onions, garlic, tomatoes etc it is a well rounded healthy meal. 

HOW MAKE SPICY ITALIAN SAUSAGE PASTA

  • Start by cooking the bow tie pasta according to package instructions.
  • Once cooked till soft remove from the water and set aside.
  • Then fry the sliced sausage, once browned remove from the heat and set aside.
  • In the same pan fry the diced shallots, green onions and garlic till fragrant
  • Add in the tomato’s and simmer with seasonings along with the cooked sausage for 10 minutes.
  • Add in the cooked strained pasta and toss till coated.
  • Serve with parmesan cheese if desired and fresh basil.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

If you make this recipe, I would love to hear about it! You can leave a 5 star review in the comments below! Thank you very much for reading and until next time see ya in the kitchen. Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for our NEWSLETTER delivered right to your inbox!

Looking for more PASTA RECIPES?

Date Night, Dinner ideas, Pasta, Quick and easy recipes, Seafood

Pasta with clams

This recipe for Pasta with clams is one of my all time favorite ways to use canned clams. I kid you not! It is simple as it is made with canned clams, butter, parmesan cheese, dried and fresh herbs and some lemon juice. 

You may also like my Chicken Pappardelle Pasta or my Lobster Pasta or my Pappardelle Bolognese also.

Below you will find more of my favorite pasta dishes. But hands down this is my favorite one and honestly the most simplest.

RECIPE FOR PASTA WITH CLAMS

This recipe takes than 30 minutes to prepare.

Basically you are boiling the pasta and then in another pan frying the clams in it’s juice with seasonings and fresh tomatoes.

Tossing in some parmesan cheese, parsley and lemon juice and wulla! It is ready to eat! If you do not have canned clams on hand but have salmon, go ahead and use that instead.

And let me know how it turned out? I really have to try it that way someday too 🙂

WHAT IS PASTA WITH CLAMS CALLED

In Italy it is known as Linguine alle Vongole. Which is made with Linguine pasta and fresh clams with the shells.

HOW TO MAKE PASTA WITH CLAMS

  1. First you will want to choose a pasta to work with, my favorite is spaghetti or linguine. 
  2. Then you will simply cook that pasta in some boiling water till al dente, then strain and set aside.
  3. In a medium frying pan add the canned clams with juice, fresh chopped parsley and Italian seasoning.
  4. Along with some butter, white pepper, garlic powder and fresh halved baby tomatoes
  5. Simmer on low-medium heat till the tomatoes are cooked then add in the cooked pasta.
  6. Toss with fresh lemon juice and then your parmesan cheese.
  7. Once the cheese has melted, serve hot with more fresh parsley.

Do not forget the Lemon or Parmesan cheese it really pulls this dish together.

Oh and if you want to make it more fancy, you can strain out the liquid from the clams and add white wine in instead.

This pasta can be enjoyed pretty much any time of year and would sure work good as a romantic meal for two.

Can dogs eat clams

Yes, clams are an excellent source of protein. However if feeding be sure to omit the garlic as that is poisons to dogs.

Looking for more pasta dishes to rock your world?