Creamy Sundried Tomato “Marry Me” Gnocchi Recipe
This Creamy Sundried Tomato ‘Marry Me’ Gnocchi is a decadent and flavorful dish featuring tender gnocchi pan-fried to golden perfection and tossed in a rich, creamy sauce infused with sundried tomatoes, garlic, Italian herbs, fresh spinach, and basil. Topped with Parmesan-style cheese, it offers a comforting and indulgent meal perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Gnocchi
- 18 oz gnocchi (or another short pasta shape)
Sauce
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pinch red pepper or chili flakes (or to taste)
- 2 tsp mixed Italian seasoning
- 1/3 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped (see notes)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (puree)
- 2/3 cup vegetable broth
- 2/3 cup heavy (double) cream
- 3/4 cup Parmesan-style cheese, grated
- 1 small bunch basil, chopped
- 1–2 handfuls baby spinach, chopped
- Olive oil (preferably oil from the sundried tomato jar) for sautéing and frying
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large, deep saucepan over low-medium heat, warm a little olive oil (ideally from the sundried tomato jar). Add the diced red onion and sauté until soft and translucent. Then add minced garlic, red pepper or chili flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and chopped sundried tomatoes. Continue to sauté for a few more minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Add Tomato Paste and Broth: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes. Pour in the vegetable broth and let the sauce simmer partially covered, allowing it to reduce and thicken slightly.
- Pan-Fry the Gnocchi: In a separate pan, heat a layer of olive oil over low-medium heat (preferably oil from the sundried tomato jar). Add the gnocchi and pan-fry slowly, turning occasionally, until they are crisp and golden on all sides, approximately 10 minutes. This gentle cooking ensures the gnocchi is crisp outside and soft inside.
- Finish the Sauce: When the gnocchi is nearly done, add the heavy cream and grated Parmesan-style cheese to the sauce. Simmer gently, stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy. Add the chopped baby spinach and basil and stir through just until the spinach starts to wilt.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the crispy gnocchi through the creamy sundried tomato sauce until well coated. Plate immediately and enjoy this rich, flavorful dish while hot.
Notes
- Using olive oil from the sundried tomato jar adds an extra depth of flavor to the dish.
- For a vegetarian option, ensure the Parmesan-style cheese is vegetarian-friendly.
- You can substitute gnocchi with other short pasta shapes as preferred.
- Adjust the amount of chili flakes to control the heat level.
Keywords: Creamy gnocchi, sundried tomato gnocchi, Italian gnocchi recipe, comforting pasta, vegetarian gnocchi, Marry Me gnocchi, creamy tomato sauce
