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Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

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A quick and easy 20-minute dinner featuring pillowy gnocchi in a luscious creamy pesto sauce with burst cherry tomatoes, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) potato gnocchi, store-bought or homemade
  • 1 ½ cups (about 250g) whole cherry tomatoes
  • ½ cup (120ml) pesto sauce, store-bought or fresh
  • ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra for finishing
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup (25g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • A handful fresh basil leaves, torn or chiffonade

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add gnocchi and cook according to package instructions, usually 2-3 minutes, until they float to the surface. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a bowl; set aside but keep a little cooking water.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring gently until the tomatoes start to burst and release their juices.
  4. Reduce heat to low. Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine with the tomatoes. Let warm through for 1-2 minutes, then add pesto sauce. Stir gently to mix into a smooth sauce. Add reserved gnocchi water if sauce is too thick.
  5. Add drained gnocchi to the skillet and toss carefully to coat in the creamy pesto sauce. Cook together for another 2 minutes to meld flavors.
  6. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss once more and sprinkle torn fresh basil leaves on top. Serve immediately with an optional drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

Watch the tomatoes closely so they burst but do not disintegrate completely. Use reserved gnocchi cooking water to adjust sauce consistency. Avoid overcooking gnocchi to prevent mushiness. Fresh Parmesan is essential for umami richness. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy pesto gnocchi, quick dinner, easy gnocchi recipe, cherry tomatoes, pesto sauce, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://platebelle.com/creamy-pesto-gnocchi-recipe-easy-quick-20-minute-dinner-idea/