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Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

Close-up of plump, yellow gnocchi generously coated in vibrant green, creamy pesto sauce, served in a white bowl.
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A simple recipe for rich, creamy pesto gnocchi ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound potato gnocchi
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free option)
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Instructions

  1. Cook the gnocchi according to package directions. Drain the gnocchi, reserving about 1/2 cup of the starchy cooking water. Set aside.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let it brown.
  3. Pour in the broth and bring it to a simmer. Cook for 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  4. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and the pesto until well combined.
  5. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon of the reserved gnocchi water at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
  6. Add the cooked gnocchi (and cherry tomatoes, if using) to the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything evenly in the creamy pesto sauce.
  7. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For a creamier sauce that does not split, always add the cheese off the heat or over very low heat, stirring constantly.
  • If you want to add protein, cook 1 cup of diced chicken breast or shrimp in the skillet before adding the garlic, then set aside and stir back in at the end.
  • If your pesto is very thick, thin it slightly with a teaspoon of olive oil before adding it to the sauce base.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookifyme.com/creamy-pesto-gnocchi-recipe/