Pesto Gnocchi – Rachel Cooks®

These little packages of gnocchi within the pasta aisle have turn out to be one in every of my favourite dinnertime shortcuts. These days I’ve been utilizing them in sheet pan dinners—this garlic butter sheet pan gnocchi has been on frequent repeat since I developed it—however at present’s pesto gnocchi recipe makes use of a extra traditional stovetop technique, and it’s one other straightforward one pan meal.

Straightforward Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

Consolation meals with a twist. Pesto gnocchi is consolation meals elevated! The carb-y gnocchi, creamy sauce, cheese—it hits all of the consolation meals notes and delivers a little bit little bit of indulgence, with a hefty quantity of veggies for good measure.

Fast and straightforward. Stovetop pesto gnocchi is FAST. This can be a dinner that’s finished with solely about quarter-hour of cooking time, and it’s made in a single pan. And in contrast to different fast dinner choices (taking a look at YOU, boxed mac and cheese!), that is one which’s loaded with recent veggies and feels type of fancy—though that creamy sauce and tender gnocchi make it fairly kid-friendly too. (It’s much like creamy rooster pasta!)

A recipe that adjustments with the seasons. I exploit asparagus, zucchini, bell pepper, and pink onion within the recipe under, however you possibly can seize no matter appears good on the farmers’ market or no matter is in season. When it’s the center of winter and nothing’s in season in any respect, sun-dried tomatoes and frozen veggies will work too!

Vegetarian with choices for meat-eaters. As written, it is a satisfying vegetarian recipe, however for those who’ve bought meat-eaters in the home who insist on a protein with each meal, you possibly can simply add meat to the pesto gnocchi itself or serve it alongside the gnocchi. (This air fryer Italian sausage could be good!)

Ingredient Notes

• Olive oil: You’ll want a couple of tablespoons for sautéing the greens and browning the gnocchi.
• Greens: I selected asparagus, zucchini, pink bell pepper, and pink onion as a result of I needed so as to add veggies with crisp textures. Like I discussed above, you possibly can simply substitute different greens.
• Seasonings: You solely want a couple of easy seasonings as a result of the pesto provides a lot taste. Salt, black pepper, and garlic powder are added to season the sautéed greens.
• Gnocchi: Refrigerated or shelf-stable gnocchi will each work on this recipe. You’ll want a 16 ounce package deal.
• Heavy cream: Heavy cream gives you the richest, creamiest sauce however half-and-half can be utilized for a lighter possibility.
• Pesto: You should use store-bought pesto for a shortcut or make it your self. We love this basil pesto recipe. 
• Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan provides an umami, nutty taste to the creamy pesto gnocchi sauce; Pecorino Romano can be utilized in its place.  
• Pine nuts: Toasted pine nuts are a crispy-crunchy addition to the dish. Be at liberty to swap in walnuts for those who want them, or go away them out fully for those who’d relatively have a nut-free dish.
• Contemporary basil: Contemporary basil enhances the pesto taste.

Make Pesto Gnocchi

Sauté the greens. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a big skillet (deep sufficient to stir all of the components you’ll ultimately be including!) set over medium-high warmth. As soon as the oil is shimmering, add the greens, season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and prepare dinner for about 7 minutes, stirring typically, till tender-crisp. Switch the greens to a plate.

Brown the gnocchi. Add the remaining oil to the skillet, stir within the gnocchi, and prepare dinner for five minutes, or till golden-brown. Don’t stir too typically; go away the gnocchi undisturbed for a couple of minutes at a time so it will get properly browned and barely crisp.

Put all of it collectively. Add the greens again to the pan, adjusting the warmth to low. Add the cream and pesto to the pan, and simmer till the sauce thickens a bit. Stir within the grated cheese.

Serve. Garnish with toasted pine nuts and basil earlier than serving.

Straightforward Recipe Variations

• Add a protein. For an easy possibility, toss cut-up rotisserie rooster throughout the previous few minutes of cooking time, or serve the rooster on the aspect. Should you lean extra in direction of shrimp, sauté it within the pan first, switch to a plate, then stir the cooked shrimp again into the pesto gnocchi on the finish of the cooking time to heat it again up.
• Change up your pesto. Basil pesto isn’t your solely possibility! Attempt cilantro pesto or arugula pesto for a distinct spin on this recipe. Chimichurri could be a pleasant possibility, too.
• Get inventive with the veggies. Mushrooms could be glorious, and halved grape tomatoes will add a burst of juicy, candy taste. Slice recent corn off the cob and add that when it’s in season. There are such a lot of methods to place your personal spin on this recipe!

Serving Ideas

Protein. Pesto salmon cooked in parchment paper packets would pair nicely, naturally! You may prepare dinner the salmon with out the added veggies within the packets, or just get pleasure from all the additional veggies. Air fryer rooster breasts are all the time an important pairing with pasta, too.

Bread. You’re not going to wish to let any of that creamy pesto sauce go to waste, so sop it up with do-it-yourself Dutch oven bread or flatbread. This straightforward beer bread would go nicely, too.

Salad. A light-weight, crisp salad is the right aspect dish to stability the richness of pesto gnocchi. Do that goes-with-everything arugula salad recipe or a traditional home salad.

Fridge: Leftover pesto gnocchi will be saved in an hermetic container and refrigerated for as much as 3 days. I don’t suggest suggest freezing this recipe, as sauces made with heavy cream can break up when frozen, thawed, and reheated.

Reheating: For finest outcomes, heat your leftovers in a pan on the stovetop over medium low warmth. Should you’re in a time-crunch or the range simply isn’t an possibility, the microwave will work, however watch out to not overheat the dish or the gnocchi can get powerful and the sauce will separate.