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Home » Sides » Vegetarian » Pan-Fried Gnocchi with Creamy Tomato Pesto Sauce

Pan-Fried Gnocchi with Creamy Tomato Pesto Sauce

Published: Aug 12, 2018 · Modified: Apr 18, 2020 by Ashley Lecker · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

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Gnocchi lovers! I recently tried pan-frying my gnocchi for the first time for the recipe I am sharing with you, and I am not kicking myself for not trying this sooner. There is a restaurant in my city that serves pan-fried gnocchi as a side dish with their sandwiches as an alternate choice to french fries. They are so delicious, and I wanted to use them in a main dish.  Since tomatoes and basil are plentiful right now I made a creamy tomato pesto sauce to toss my pan-fried gnocchi in. A little Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of fresh pesto, and it was absolutely delicious!

Searing the gnocchi is pretty simple, but it requires you to be attentive to your pan because once you need to start flipping you move a little quickly to avoid burning the gnocchi. 

Check out that brown sear. The gnocchi get a crispy texture on the outside, but are soft and light in the middle. 

I recommend making the sauce in before you start you gnocchi so you can toss the crispy bites in your tomato pesto sauce. If you make to gnocchi your first preparation you might end up with it a bit to crisp. Plus you want to give the pasta and sauce a little time to cook together before your drizzle with pesto and sprinkle a touch of parm to your dish. 

This dish a perfect as a main meal, but I prefer it served with a protein. I made a honey balsamic pork tenderloin I will share later this week to complete your plate. 

I am in denial that we are into mid-August at this point. I am planning to soak up the last few weeks before my big boy is officially a kindergartner. I am sure my fellow parent readers can identify how intimidating, exciting, and intense this milestone. I am sure that with each child the impact is a little less, but since it is my first to go to kindergarten I am feeling unprepared and nostalgic about it. Kellen is of course oblivious because I want him to be excited and not feel my nervousness because I am sure his little mind has already gone there.  So, the remainder of the summer we have a few fun this planned: grabbing creative fair offerings and riding the rides next weekend at the local fair, another trip to our cottage in Door County, and a trip to the Wisconsin Dells to round off the summer. 

Thanks to all of you who entered the giveaway! I have one more products post to share next week so stay tuned! Also, I am going to share a few of my favorite back to school recipes next week to get you ready and prepped for Back to School! 

Pan-Fried Gnocchi with Creamy Tomato Pesto Sauce

5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
 
 

  • 28 ounces whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes
  • ¼ cup pesto, plus extra for topping
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
  • salt, to taste
  • 16 ounce packaged uncooked gnocchi
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions
 

  • In a sauce pan, simmer tomatoes and pesto for 10 minutes. 
  • Add cream and simmer an additional 3-5 minutes.
  • Using an immersion blender, blend the sauce. Add cheese and lightly simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. 
  • While sauce is simmering, cook gnocchi according to package instructions. Remove from water and pat dry. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large rimmed skillet and add gnocchi and spread them into a single layer. At this time you can remove the sauce from heat and set it aside. 
  • Allow gnocchi to cook for about 2 minutes and then begin to flip them. Allow more time if the are not starting to brown. Once all gnocchi have been flipped, turn heat to low and ladle in the tomato sauce. Allow gnocchi to simmer lightly in the sauce for about 10 minutes. Salt, if needed. 
  • Serve and top with Parmesan cheese and pesto. 

Notes

If you do not have an immersion blender a traditional blender or food processor can be used. 
Tried this recipe? I'd love to see it! Mention @CheeseCurdInParadise or tag #cheesecurdinparadise on Instagram!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Danielle Wolter

    March 13, 2019 at 6:57 am

    that crust on that gnocchi - i have died and gone to heaven. it looks incredible. i def want to make this!

    Reply
  2. Mahy Elamin

    March 14, 2019 at 4:49 am

    This recipe is absolutely FANTASTIC!!! So good, so simple and easy, and do not take a lot of time. THANK YOU for posting real food recipes that are easy to follow and DELICIOUS!!

    Reply
  3. Kylee from Kylee Cooks

    March 14, 2019 at 9:11 am

    OH HECK YES!! Browning the gnocchi is GENIUS!! I love the sauce on this too. Definitely a family friendly meal. Yum!

    Reply
  4. Byron Thomas

    March 14, 2019 at 9:29 am

    Gnocchi is something we don't eat too often, but this just might be the recipe to break that sad little habit. I followed your recipe exactly and it was delicious! The touch of pesto on top just added so much depth. Great recipe!

    Reply
  5. April

    March 14, 2019 at 3:50 pm

    Parmesan cheese and fresh pesto must be pushing the flavors through the roof! And I can imagine how tender and light these gnocchi are - they look incredible!

    Reply
  6. Dustin Z

    May 27, 2022 at 4:18 pm

    When you say “pesto” is that like a sun-dried tomato pesto, or basil pesto that you mix with the tomatoes?

    Reply
    • Ashley Lecker

      May 28, 2022 at 7:08 am

      I use basil pesto. That is a good clarification- I will update with that detail- thank you!

      Reply

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Hi, I am Ashley. I am a busy mom and wife working to make family, food, and life an adventure!

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