This 15-minute pesto gnocchi is easy to make with only 4 ingredients! Crispy, pillowy gnocchi is tossed with a creamy pesto sauce that will be a new favorite weeknight dinner.
Looking for more easy dinner recipes with gnocchi? This sheet pan gnocchi recipe, Parmesan mushroom gnocchi and easy chicken gnocchi soup are other favorites.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love Gnocchi with Basil Pesto
- Easy and comforting: With only 4 ingredients and 15 minutes from start to finish, this creamy pesto gnocchi dinner delivers amazing flavorful in a delicious sauce.
- Family friendly: Both kids and adults love this dish! Serve it for a meatless main dish or as a side dish with pesto chicken; it’s a win on busy weeknights.
Tips and Variations
- Pesto: I love to use homemade basil pesto recipe when I have it on hand.
- Tomatoes: Add 1/2 cup sun dried like I do in chicken pesto pasta or try some fresh cherry tomatoes.
- Vegetables: Add sauteed bell peppers, zucchini and onions or try sun dried tomatoes like I do in chicken pesto pasta or fresh cherry tomatoes.
- Vegetarian: Omit the Parmesan cheese or use a vegetarian cheese.
- Protein: Keep it meat-free or add pancetta, bacon, salmon or grilled shrimp skewers.
- Storage: Store leftover gnocchi refrigerated in an airtight container for 4 days. Reheat in microwave.
How to Make Pesto Gnocchi
Boil large pot of salted water and cook store-bought potato gnocchi until it floats. Drain then add reserved pasta water and butter to a skillet. Add gnocchi and cook 3-5 minutes.
Add pesto and cream to the skillet with gnocchi, stir then bring to a light simmer. Let mixture simmer until sauce is slightly thickened, about 1 minute.
Serve this pesto gnocchi recipe immediately with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired.
More easy dinner ideas include pink sauce pasta, caprese pasta bake and Tuscan salmon.
More Pesto Recipes
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Pesto Gnocchi
Video
Ingredients
- 16 ounces store-bought gnocchi
- 1-2 Tablespoons butter
- ⅓ cup pesto
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Salt & Pepper , to taste
For serving: grated parmesan, fresh basil
Instructions
- Cook gnocchi: Simmer a large pot of salted water and cook 1 pound gnocchi until it floats, about 2 minutes. Set aside 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain water.
- Cook: Add 1-2 Tablespoons butter to a skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the gnocchi and cook for 3-5 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Simmer: Add 1/3 cup pesto and 1/2 cup cream and to the pan. Bring to a light simmer. Let mixture simmer until sauce is slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add a Tablespoon or two of pasta water if you need to thin.
- Serve: Serve gnocchi immediately with a sprinkling of cheese and basil if desired. Season to taste with extra salt.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, 5 Ingredients Or Less, Dinner, Italian, Kid-Friendly, Meal Prep, Reader Favorites, Stovetop, Vegetarian, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
This gnocchi recipe was UNREAL. So much flavor and so easy to make. Cannot wait to make this again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Mel!!
So soft & pillowy, this gnocchi is delicious!! It’s great alone or we love it with pasta!
I have never made this before and we tried it last night as a quick and easy dinner… it was amazing!! We loved how simple it was to make and how flavorful it was! We will be making this pesto gnocchi again!!
Easy plus delicious, my kind of winning meal for busy school weeknights. We devoured it!
So glad you enjoyed it!