Description
Creamy pesto gnocchi delivers cozy flavor and easy prep for busy evenings with bold Italian vibes and speedy stovetop steps topped with parmesan
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter sauce)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, torn, for garnish
- Toast pine nuts or walnuts (optional, for crunch)
- Optional: a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the sauce
- Optional: a handful of spinach or peas for color and nutrition
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook until they float to the top and are just tender, 2–4 minutes depending on size. Scoop with a slotted spoon and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the starchy cooking water.
- In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant but not browned.
- Pour in the heavy cream and pesto. Stir to combine, then simmer for 2–3 minutes, until the sauce begins to thicken slightly and shines with a pale green hue.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. If the sauce seems tight, whisk in a splash of the reserved gnocchi water to loosen it and help it cling to the pasta.
- Gently add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet. Toss to coat evenly in the sauce and cook for another 1–2 minutes, until the gnocchi are glossy and each piece is well-coated.
- Finish with fresh basil, and if you like, a small handful of toasted nuts. Serve immediately, with an extra dusting of Parmesan and a little lemon zest if you’re feeling bright.
- Prep Time: 0 hours 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 hours 15 minutes
- Category: Main course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Calories: 620 calories
- Sugar: 4 g
- Fat: 29 g
- Carbohydrates: 66 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
Keywords: Creamy Pesto Gnocchi, gnocchi recipe, pesto, weeknight dinner, Italian, comfort food
