Gnocchi are a delicious and easy alternative to pasta. They are also a healthier alternative, as they contain less flour than traditional white pasta.
They only take a few minutes to cook and rise to the top of boiling water, so you know when they are ready to eat! If you are in a rush, you can purchase premade mini gnocchi from the grocery store.
1. Chicken Gnocchi Skillet
A simple, one-pan dinner of chicken and gnocchi in a creamy tomato sauce is the perfect quick dinner recipe for any weeknight. Top it off with a fresh salad and you have a delicious, restaurant-quality meal.
In this recipe, the gnocchi is browned in butter and olive oil instead of boiled for a crispy, crunchy texture that pairs perfectly with the creamy tomato sauce. If you like this recipe, you might also want to try my Pan-Seared Gnocchi with Garlic and Herbs or my Gnocchi with Parmesan Cheese and Pesto.
You can also use a variety of ingredients to create your own unique sauce for this dish! For example, you can add sun dried tomatoes for a classic Italian flavor or use onion and garlic for a more savory taste. You can also add a handful of fresh spinach for a more veggie-based dish!
If you prefer, you can also add a few handfuls of parsley for extra color and flavor. You can also sprinkle a little shaved parmesan on top of the dish for extra cheesy goodness!
To make the sauce, you’ll start by sautéing some garlic, mushrooms, and onions. Then, you’ll add the chicken broth, half and half, heavy cream, and seasonings to create a thick and creamy sauce for the gnocchi.
When the sauce is fully thickened, you can add in some fresh spinach and cook until wilted. You can also stir in a little fresh basil for an extra boost of flavor.
Finally, I’ve added a little bit of red pepper flakes to give this dish a spicy kick. I used crushed red pepper flakes, but you can also use pepper flakes that are ground for more of a smoky flavor.
You can also use a wide range of different types of cheese for this recipe. Some hard Italian cheese, such as Pecorino Romano, works well. Other options include pre-grated tubs of it from your refrigerated deli case, or a shredded Parmesan cheese.
This recipe is very simple to put together and will be a hit with your family. It is an easy dinner that you can prepare in just 30 minutes!
2. Garlic Parmesan Gnocchi Skillet
If you love garlic, then you’re going to adore this cheesy gnocchi skillet. It’s easy to make, and will leave you feeling satisfied without packing on too many calories. Plus, it’s a dish you can prepare on a busy night or when unexpected guests pop by the door.
In this recipe, boiled soft gnocchi is sauteed in a butter sauce with thyme and Parmesan cheese until golden brown and delicious. This dish will take about 20 minutes to prepare, and can be easily served for lunch or dinner.
To start, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and let them boil for about three minutes, or until they float to the top. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When it’s hot, add the minced garlic and stir. Cook for a minute until the garlic is fragrant and just starting to turn golden.
Next, add the drained gnocchi to the skillet and allow it to cook until it’s slightly golden and crisp on the outside (don’t stir too much or you’ll prevent that from happening). This step is really important, because it helps the gnocchi achieve that crispy exterior that everyone loves!
Once the gnocchi is cooked, add the Parmesan cheese and stir to combine. You can use a package of pre-shredded Parmesan cheese if you’d like, but I prefer the fresh kind that I grate on my hand or shred in a food processor.
As you’re adding the cheese, be sure to do it slowly so that it doesn’t clump together. This way, it will all melt into the gnocchi and create a rich sauce that pairs perfectly with the gnocchi.
Another great tip for this recipe is to keep the gnocchi in a single layer in the pan. This will ensure that they cook evenly and get that beautiful golden brown color on the outside.
To serve this recipe, garnish with a little more Parmesan cheese and some fresh basil. If you’d like, you can even add a few red pepper flakes for added heat and flavor.
3. Parmesan Gnocchi Skillet with Spinach
This dish is a great way to make an easy dinner for the family! This Parmesan Gnocchi Skillet with Spinach is packed with garlic butter flavor, salty and nutty parmesan cheese, and fresh spinach and basil flavors. It is perfect as a side dish, for dinner, or to serve with chicken or fish.
It takes less than 30 minutes to make this recipe, which means that you can have a delicious dinner on the table in no time! This gnocchi with white beans and spinach is a healthy meal that will satisfy your craving for Italian food. It is also low in calories and full of protein and fiber, which makes it a delicious meal for anyone on a diet!
Start by boiling the gnocchi in salted water for a few minutes, until they float to the top. Once they are done, remove them to a paper towel to drain off any excess liquid. Save the cooking water to use in the sauce.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the gnocchi and cook on one side until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes. This helps to keep them from sticking together and ensures they are cooked through properly.
Once the gnocchi have been seared, reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook, stirring for about 30 seconds. This will help to reduce the garlic into the butter forming a delicious sauce for the gnocchi.
Next, add in the cannellini beans, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Stir to combine, then add the garlic granules and a pinch of salt and pepper. Once the mixture is bubbling, turn the heat to low and simmer for a few minutes.
This gnocchi with white beans and fresh spinach is the perfect recipe to serve as a main dish or a side dish. It takes less than 30 minutes to make and is a healthy meal that will satisfy your family’s craving for Italian food!
This gnocchi with white beans and creamy tomato sauce is a hearty pasta recipe that can be made in just under 30 minutes! It is a delicious, satisfying meal that the entire family will love.
4. Gnocchi Gratin
Cheesy potato dumplings, accented with the slightly nutty flavor of Gruyere, combine with ham and peas to make this comfort food recipe. Like mac and cheese gone gourmet, this dish is a perfect dinner for those busy days when you’re craving something warm and comforting but don’t have the time to prepare a full meal.
The gnocchi are cooked right in the creamy sauce, which saves time and makes clean up a breeze! You can even make this ahead and reheat it when you’re ready to serve.
It’s a quick and easy weeknight meal that requires just one pan to make. And it’s a perfect dinner for a family or a party.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is light golden brown. Continue to whisk in milk while continuing to stir; bring to a boil. Once boiling, whisk in Gruyere and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan; remove from heat.
Transfer gnocchi to prepared baking dish and pour cheese sauce over. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan over gnocchi and bake until the top is browned, 25-30 minutes.
Gnocchi Gratin is a perfect side dish to a turkey or other holiday main course. It’s a hearty dish that is also vegetarian friendly and easy to prepare.
If you can’t find fresh gnocchi, try frozen ones (available in the freezer section of grocery stores). It’s also an excellent recipe for using up leftover pasta that you may have in your refrigerator.
You can also use dried gnocchi from the regular pasta section of your grocery store. If you are using dried gnocchi, make sure to boil it first before pan frying it.
The gnocchi need to be made from a floury potato, such as Yukon gold or Russet. New or waxy potatoes will not work and your dough will not come together properly. If you are having trouble forming the dough, add more flour.
Once the dough is formed, knead it until it is smooth and soft to the touch without being sticky. Then, cut the dough into 4 pieces and shape each into a log about 2cm / 1 inch thick.