Description
This Creamy Sundried Tomato “Marry Me” Gnocchi is a rich and comforting one-pan dinner featuring golden pan-fried gnocchi tossed in a luscious sundried tomato cream sauce with garlic, herbs, parmesan, spinach, and basil. Elegant enough for date night yet quick enough for weeknights, this vegetarian gnocchi recipe delivers bold flavors with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
18 oz (500 g) gnocchi, or another short pasta shape
½ red onion, diced
3 cloves garlic
1 pinch red pepper or chili flakes, to taste
2 teaspoons mixed Italian seasoning
⅓ cup (140 g) sundried tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste (purée)
⅔ cup (160 ml) vegetable broth
⅔ cup (160 ml) heavy (double) cream
¾ cup (80 g) parmesan-style cheese, grated
1 small bunch basil, chopped
1–2 handfuls baby spinach, chopped
Olive oil (preferably from the sundried tomato jar)
Instructions
- In a large deep saucepan, heat olive oil over low-medium heat. Sauté onions until soft.
- Add garlic, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and sundried tomatoes. Cook for a few minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in tomato paste and sauté for 2 minutes. Pour in vegetable broth, cover partially, and simmer to reduce slightly into a thick sauce.
- In a separate pan, heat olive oil over low-medium heat. Pan-fry the gnocchi until golden and crisp on the outside but soft inside, about 10 minutes.
- Return to the sauce pan and stir in cream and parmesan. Cook gently until cheese melts into the sauce.
- Add spinach and basil, stirring until just wilted.
- Toss gnocchi into the sauce, coat well, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use tortellini, ravioli, or another pasta shape instead of gnocchi.
- Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or pancetta for extra protein.
- Make it dairy-free with plant-based cream and cheese alternatives.
- For sharper flavor, substitute pecorino romano for parmesan.
- Reheat gently with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (¼ recipe)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
