Description
This Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Cherry Tomatoes is a simple yet flavorful dish. Pillowy gnocchi is tossed in a vibrant pesto sauce, bursting cherry tomatoes, and finished with a touch of cream for a truly satisfying meal. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound gnocchi (shelf-stable or fresh)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, until they begin to soften and release their juices. Season with salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile, cook the gnocchi according to package directions. If using fresh gnocchi, it will cook very quickly (usually 2-3 minutes). Shelf-stable gnocchi may take a bit longer.
- Once the gnocchi is cooked, drain it and add it to the skillet with the cherry tomatoes.
- Pour in the pesto and heavy cream. Stir to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
- Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use a high-quality pesto.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, you can use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream.
- Feel free to add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein.
- To make it a bit spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the garlic.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 35g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
