Warm up your winter evenings with this delicious and easy Winter Greens Gnocchi!
This comforting dish brings together pillowy potato gnocchi with a creamy, flavorful sauce made from cavolo nero, mascarpone, and Gorgonzola.
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Topped with toasted walnuts for a delightful crunch, it’s a perfect weeknight meal that feels indulgent without all the fuss.
Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or just looking for a quick, satisfying dinner, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup shelled unsalted walnut halves
- 14 oz cavolo nero (or substitute with kale)
- ½ cup mascarpone cheese
- ½ cup Gorgonzola cheese, divided
- 28 oz potato gnocchi
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
Step 1: Toast the Walnuts
- In a frying pan over medium heat, toast the walnuts until golden and fragrant.
- Set them aside to cool.
Step 2: Prepare the Greens
- Tear the stems out of the cavolo nero and discard them.
- Blanch the leaves in a pot of boiling salted water for about 4 minutes.
Step 3: Blend the Sauce
- Use tongs to carefully transfer two-thirds of the blanched cavolo nero to a blender, leaving the pot of water on the heat.
- Roughly chop the remaining third of the cavolo nero and set it aside.
- Add the mascarpone and most of the Gorgonzola to the blender with the cavolo nero and blend until smooth.
- If the mixture seems too thick, add a splash of the cooking water to loosen it up. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4: Cook the Gnocchi
- In the same pot of boiling water, cook the gnocchi according to the package instructions, usually for about 3 minutes or until they float to the surface.
- Drain them well.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
- In the frying pan, toss the drained gnocchi with the green sauce and the chopped cavolo nero until everything is well coated.
- Crumble most of the walnuts over the mixture and fold them in. Scatter the remaining Gorgonzola and walnuts on top.
- Serve immediately, or for a gratinated finish, place the pan under the broiler for a few minutes until golden and bubbly.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cheese instead of Gorgonzola?
Yes, you can substitute Gorgonzola with another soft blue cheese like Roquefort or Stilton for a similar flavor. If you prefer a milder taste, try using a soft cheese like brie or even cream cheese.
What if I don’t have a blender?
If you don’t have a blender, you can use a food processor or an immersion blender. Alternatively, chop the cavolo nero as finely as possible and mix it thoroughly with the mascarpone and Gorgonzola to create a chunky sauce.




Wow, I never thought about toasting walnuts for gnocchi. Gonna try this, thanks Sandra!
hey, can I throw in some cayenne pepper into the sauce or would that ruin the vibe? wanna make it a bit spicy hehe
Do it! Spicy gnocchi sounds amazing!
i always buy gnocchi. Cooking from scratch seems hard. Is it worth it?
I made this last night but added my own twist with extra blue cheese. It’s not for everyone, but we loved it!
looks good but high-cal? tryna keep it lean here
Reminds me of my days in Italy. Beautiful recipe, Sandra. Captures the essence perfectly.
followed this and it was kinda bland, maybe i did something wrong? wasn’t feeling the walnuts tbh
While the attempt at merging winter greens with gnocchi is commendable, the execution, as described, might leave much to be desired for a seasoned palate.