Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil for the gnocchi. Finely chop the onion. Finely chop the parsley, including the stems. Finely grate the parmesan.
Step 2 — Fry bacon and onion
Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a medium deep frypan over medium-high heat. Cook the bacon and onion, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 mins until the bacon is crisp.
Step 3 — Simmer sauce
Add three-quarters of the cream* and 3 tsp pepper and garlic seasoning (reduce the seasoning for a milder pepper kick) and 60ml (¼ cup) water to the bacon mixture and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 mins until slightly reduced. Taste, then season with salt.
Step 4 — Cook gnocchi
GNOCCHI OPTION Meanwhile, add the gnocchi to the pan of boiling water (make sure the water is at a rapid boil). Stir to separate the gnocchi, then return to the boil and cook for 3 mins. Reserve 1½ tbs cooking water, then drain the gnocchi.
Step 5 — Toss salad
While the gnocchi is cooking, whisk 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil and 1 tsp balsamic vinegar in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add the spinach and 1 tbs parmesan to the dressing and toss to coat.
Step 6 — Get ready to serve
Add the gnocchi, reserved cooking water, half the parsley and half the remaining parmesan to the sauce and toss until the sauce coats the gnocchi. Taste, then season with salt and pepper. Divide the gnocchi among bowls and scatter with the remaining parsley and remaining parmesan. Serve with the spinach salad.