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–+ servings
Delish Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

Delish Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

Silky, garlicky cream meets vibrant basil pesto in this cozy gnocchi dish with wilted spinach and bursty tomatoes—comfort food in 25 minutes.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients
 

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb potato gnocchi refrigerated or shelf-stable
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup basil pesto homemade or store-bought
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated plus extra for serving
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 clove garlic, minced
  • 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes optional heat
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 cup baby spinach loosely packed
  • 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 tsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 0.5 cup pasta cooking water as needed to loosen sauce

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the gnocchi.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil and butter until melted. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes; cook until fragrant, about 0.5 to 1 minute.
  • Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Whisk in the pesto and grated Parmesan until the sauce is smooth. Season with the kosher salt and black pepper. Lower heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
  • Cook the gnocchi in the boiling water until they float, 2 to 3 minutes. Reserve 0.5 cup pasta water, then drain.
  • Add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet and toss to coat. Stir in the spinach and tomatoes; cook until the spinach wilts, about 1 minute. Splash in pasta water as needed to reach a silky, clingy sauce.
  • Stir in the lemon juice, taste, and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
  • Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan and a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

For a lighter sauce, replace 0.5 cup of the cream with half-and-half. If using refrigerated gnocchi, cook time may be shorter than shelf-stable. Add pasta water gradually to keep the sauce glossy and not soupy.

Nutrition

Serving: 200g | Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 120g | Protein: 120g | Fat: 120g | Saturated Fat: 120g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 120g | Monounsaturated Fat: 120g | Trans Fat: 120g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 120mg | Potassium: 120mg | Fiber: 120g | Sugar: 120g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Vitamin C: 120mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 120mg