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gnocchi al pesto in a white bowl with a fork
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Gnocchi with Pesto Sauce

This Creamy Pesto Gnocchi recipe is ready in under 30 minutes! Soft potato gnocchi is tossed in a rich basil pesto cream sauce with shallots, cherry tomatoes, and spinach for a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: gnocchi al pesto, gnocchi pesto sauce, gnocchi with pesto sauce
Servings: 4
Calories: 445kcal
Author: Gwynn Galvin

Ingredients

  • 1 pound gnocchi pasta
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pint (2 cups) cherry tomatoes halved
  • ¼ cup minced shallots
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 1/3 cup pesto
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 3 cups baby spinach

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the gnocchi according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta.
  • Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the tomatoes and shallots and cook until the tomatoes begin to soften and release their juices, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the white wine and boil for one minute.
  • Stir in the pesto, heavy cream and reserved pasta water and cook until the sauce is simmering and heated through, about 3 minutes.
  • Stir in the baby spinach and prepared pasta cook until the spinach is just wilted and the pasta is heated through, about 1 minute.
  • Season with salt and pepper and serve with grated Parmesan, if desired.

Notes

Recipe Tips
  • Reserve pasta water – Before draining the gnocchi, save about ½ cup of the cooking water before draining the pasta. This starchy water will help to give the sauce a good texture and thickness.
  • Don’t overcook spinach – Add baby spinach at the very end so it stays bright and tender.
  • Taste and adjust – Depending on your pesto, you may want to add a pinch of salt or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
  • Parmesan Cheese - Serve with grated or shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Ricotta Cheese or Burrata - Top your pasta with a dollop of ricotta cheese or a piece of burrata for a gourmet touch!
  • Garlic Lovers - If  you love garlic, add a clove of minced garlic when cooking the tomatoes and shallots. 

Nutrition

Calories: 445kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 619mg | Potassium: 472mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3543IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 6mg