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Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Sweet Cherry Tomatoes

creamy pesto gnocchi - featured image
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A quick and easy dinner recipe featuring pillowy gnocchi tossed in a luscious creamy basil pesto sauce with roasted sweet cherry tomatoes, perfect for cozy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) store-bought potato gnocchi
  • 2 cups (about 300 g) sweet cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup (120 ml) prepared basil pesto
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup (25 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Red pepper flakes, optional, a pinch
  • Pine nuts, optional, toasted for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
  2. Toss the halved cherry tomatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Spread them cut side up on the baking sheet. Roast for 15-18 minutes until soft and slightly caramelized.
  3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi in batches. They are done when they float to the surface, about 2-3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a colander and drain well.
  4. In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Lower heat to medium-low, then stir in the heavy cream and basil pesto. Cook gently for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is warm and combined. Add a splash of pasta water or milk if the sauce is too thick.
  6. Fold the cooked gnocchi into the pesto cream sauce gently. Cook together for another 2 minutes to let the gnocchi soak up the sauce.
  7. Fold the roasted cherry tomatoes into the skillet, stirring gently. Taste and add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  8. Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan and stir until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with toasted pine nuts and extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook the gnocchi in the sauce to avoid mushiness. Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Roast cherry tomatoes to enhance sweetness and flavor. Use medium-low heat when combining cream and pesto to prevent curdling.

Nutrition

Keywords: gnocchi, creamy pesto, cherry tomatoes, easy dinner, quick recipe, basil pesto, comfort food

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/creamy-pesto-gnocchi-with-sweet-cherry-tomatoes-easy-recipe-for-perfect-dinner/