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    Home » Appetizers & Sides » Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

    Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

    Published September 18, 2020 / Updated September 18, 2020 / 12 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    This creamy pesto gnocchi recipe makes a fantastic side dish or meatless main course. It's super easy (made in one pan) and takes only 20 minutes from start to finish!

    pesto gnocchi in a white bowl

    The pesto parmesan sauce in this recipe is super simple and really good. I also went ahead and added some extra garlic. Naturally. And a splash of white wine! If this recipe is looking somewhat familiar, I also have a Creamy Pesto Shrimp Gnocchi recipe, but I figured that having it as a standalone recipe (without the shrimp) would be a good idea too. 

    For all my one pan gnocchi recipes I use shelf-stable gnocchi (find it in the pasta aisle). The refrigerated kind works too. As it cooks, it releases starch that thickens up the sauce. I don't pre-cook it prior to adding it to the sauce. Super easy and fewer dishes to wash! I don't recommend using homemade gnocchi because the one pan method can make it fall apart, so I would make the sauce separately if you want to go that route.

    Love pesto? Try my Sausage Pesto Pasta or this Pesto Pan-fried Sausage and Potatoes Skillet.

    uncooked gnocchi on a white background

    Recipe notes & tips:

    • I'm big on grating my own parmesan cheese... it just tastes and melts better. I used this cheese grater (I have a slightly older model) for this recipe. Microplane graters work great too!
    • I used DeLallo brand pesto (I had some left over from a shipment they sent me for a sponsored post, but this post is not sponsored... I just love their products). You could also use homemade pesto if you prefer or whatever you favorite brand is!
    • I'm not particularly loyal to any brand of gnocchi. I just buy whatever my grocery store happens to have. I've tried a few brands over the years (I'm in Canada and there isn't tons of gnocchi selection here) and they're pretty similar to each other.

    close-up of creamy pesto gnocchi

    More delicious gnocchi side dishes:

    • Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce
    • 15 Minute Creamy Alfredo Gnocchi
    • Spinach and Artichoke Gnocchi

    creamy pesto gnocchi in a skillet

    Questions about this easy pesto gnocchi recipe? Let me know in the comments below! 

    pesto gnocchi in a white bowl

    Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

    This creamy pesto gnocchi recipe makes a fantastic side dish or meatless main course. It's super easy (made in one pan) and takes only 20 minutes from start to finish!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 517 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 1/4 cup pesto
    • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
    • 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 pound uncooked potato gnocchi
    • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Add the pesto, cream, wine, and garlic to a deep skillet over medium heat.
    • Once the sauce starts to gently bubble, stir in the gnocchi. Cover the pan and cook for 5 minutes.
    • Uncover the pan and give it a good stir. Continue to cook it for a couple more minutes, stirring often (the sauce will thicken quickly as the gnocchi releases more starch).
    • Once the sauce is thickened to your liking, stir in the parmesan cheese. If the sauce gets too thick at any point, add in another splash of wine or cream. Season with extra salt & pepper as needed and serve immediately.

    Notes

    • Serves 4-6 as a side dish. 
    • The gnocchi cooks right in the sauce. No need to pre-boil it! The starch released helps thicken the sauce up quickly.
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 517kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 11gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 744mgPotassium: 71mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1295IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 228mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword creamy pesto gnocchi recipe
    Author Natasha Bull
    Previous Post: « Easy Yum Yum Sauce
    Next Post: Easy Creamy Lemon Pasta »

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Bill Brown says

      March 22, 2021 at 11:08 AM

      This looks great as a side. What do you recommend as the main dish? We have some meat lovers coming over.
      Thanks.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 22, 2021 at 12:20 PM

        Hi! Hmm... maybe this Chicken Scallopini? https://bit.ly/395Ph1p baked chicken thighs: https://bit.ly/3lELX2k or you can browse thru all my main courses here: https://bit.ly/3r8pICZ

        Reply
        • Bill Brown says

          March 23, 2021 at 2:18 PM

          Love your main recipes - all look amazing. Too busy for tonight; I'm pretty much a beginner. Will try some other time. Chicken sounds great, though. Maybe some "fried" baked recipe; don't want to crowd the stove top . Your Creamy Pesto Gnocchi should really impress our guests. I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks, Natasha.

          Reply
          • Natasha says

            March 23, 2021 at 2:39 PM

            Sure! Let me know 🙂 I hope it works out.

            Reply
    2. Louis says

      February 12, 2021 at 7:02 AM

      5 stars
      Super good and tasty! (Although I added a more pesto and cheese for flavour)

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 12, 2021 at 8:56 AM

        So glad you enjoyed it, Louis!

        Reply
    3. Wendy says

      January 2, 2021 at 6:14 PM

      5 stars
      I just made it and love it!! Question tho- my husband hates gnocchi cause of the texture (I love it lol), but could this be made similarly with other fresh pastas? Like tortellini or ravioli from the refrigerated section?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 2, 2021 at 6:35 PM

        Wonderful! I think it will work. Tortellini and ravioli still release starch, but I find they do release a little less, so you may need to tweak cooking time a tad or liquid measurements depending on the outcome.

        Reply
    4. Kaylee says

      October 22, 2020 at 2:49 PM

      Hi there! Any recommendation on modifying the cream and making it lactose free?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 22, 2020 at 3:28 PM

        You could try the dairy-free whipping cream by Silk brand - other readers have tried it with success in some of my recipes with cream.

        Reply
    5. Meghan says

      October 14, 2020 at 8:10 AM

      5 stars
      This recipe was so easy but SO tasty! Both my husband and I loved it and said this would be on our dinner rotation!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 14, 2020 at 8:54 AM

        That makes me happy!! Thanks so much for commenting, Meghan!

        Reply

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    Hi! I'm Natasha. Salt & Lavender is a recipe blog with a focus on delicious comfort food using everyday ingredients. Beat the weekday grind with hundreds of easy-to-follow and hassle-free recipes!  Read more...

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