20-Minute Cherry Tomato Basil Gnocchi (Print)

Gnocchi with cherry tomatoes, basil, garlic, and Parmesan for a fast, flavorful Italian-style vegetarian main.

# Components:

→ Gnocchi

01 - 500 grams (1.1 lb) potato gnocchi (fresh or shelf-stable)

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
03 - 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
04 - 500 grams (about 3 cups) cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

→ Herbs & Seasoning

06 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
08 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
09 - 1 large handful fresh basil leaves, torn

→ Cheese

10 - 50 grams (1/2 cup) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil.
02 - While water heats, warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and optional red onion, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Incorporate cherry tomatoes, kosher salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes into the skillet. Cook, stirring periodically, for 5-7 minutes until tomatoes soften and begin to burst.
04 - As tomatoes cook, add gnocchi to the boiling water. Cook according to package directions, typically 2-3 minutes, until they float to the surface. Drain thoroughly using a colander.
05 - Introduce the drained gnocchi to the skillet with the cooked tomatoes. Gently toss to combine, allowing the gnocchi to absorb the flavors for an additional 2 minutes.
06 - Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the torn basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish
  • Uses simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients
  • Vegetarian friendly with incredible depth of flavor
  • Restaurant quality results with minimal effort
  • Perfect balance of fresh and comforting flavors
02 -
  • Perfect weeknight meal that feels special enough for company
  • Excellent source of lycopene from the cooked tomatoes
  • Can be customized with protein additions like Italian sausage or white beans
  • Naturally vegetarian and can easily be made vegan by omitting Parmesan
03 -
  • The key to exceptional gnocchi is in the timing. Cook them just until they float to the surface, then immediately remove them from the water. Even 30 seconds of overcooking can make them mushy.
  • For an extra layer of flavor, finish your dish with a light drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil right before serving. The fresh, grassy notes will elevate the entire dish.
  • Don't skip the step of letting the gnocchi spend time in the sauce. Those 2 minutes allow the pillowy dumplings to absorb the flavors while releasing some starch that thickens the sauce to the perfect consistency.

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