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Easy Pesto Gnocchi Recipe

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4.1 from 46 reviews

This EASY Pesto Gnocchi recipe is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner. Creamy pesto sauce, simmered with garlic, half and half, and broth, is tossed with tender potato gnocchi and finished with Parmesan cheese for a rich, comforting meal ready in just 15 minutes.

Ingredients

For the Sauce and Gnocchi

  • 1/3 cup pesto
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 cup half and half or heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup vegetable or chicken broth
  • 16 ounces potato gnocchi
  • 1/2 cup grated or shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper, or to taste

Optional Garnish

  • Fresh basil
  • Extra Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Sauté Garlic and Pesto: Add the pesto and minced garlic into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté together for about 1 minute until the garlic becomes fragrant, then add in the broth and cream to create the sauce.
  2. Simmer Sauce and Add Gnocchi: Bring the sauce to a light simmer. Once it starts bubbling, add the gnocchi and reduce the heat to medium.
  3. Cook Covered: Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 5 minutes to allow the gnocchi to cook through and the flavors to meld. After 5 minutes, uncover and stir.
  4. Reduce Sauce Uncovered: Continue cooking uncovered for another 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently as the sauce reduces and thickens.
  5. Finish with Cheese and Seasoning: Once the sauce has thickened and the gnocchi is tender, stir in the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, thin it out by adding about 1/4 cup more cream or broth.
  6. Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with optional fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • You can substitute half and half with heavy cream for a richer sauce or with whole milk for a lighter option.
  • Vegetable broth keeps this recipe vegetarian; chicken broth adds more depth of flavor.
  • Stir frequently after uncovering to prevent the sauce from sticking or burning.
  • Gnocchi cooks quickly, so avoid overcooking to maintain its tender texture.
  • Fresh basil adds a bright finish but is optional.

Find it online: https://justsosavory.com/easy-pesto-gnocchi-recipe/