30-Minute Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata Recipe
This 30 Minute Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata is a delightful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender potato gnocchi simmered in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce with garlic, cherry tomatoes, and a touch of cream. Finished with fresh basil and creamy burrata cheese, it offers a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and creamy textures for a comforting and elegant meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 to 8 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
For the Gnocchi and Garnish
- 2 (16-oz.) packages potato gnocchi (DeLallo brand recommended)
- 2 (4-oz.) balls fresh burrata cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, sliced or torn
Instructions
- Prepare the Tomato Sauce: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. While waiting, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the crushed garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Increase heat to medium and add the cherry tomatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most tomatoes break down and become jammy, about 10 to 12 minutes. If garlic starts to burn, reduce heat to medium-low. Season the sauce with red pepper flakes if using, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream, combining well.
- Cook the Gnocchi: Once the water is boiling, add the potato gnocchi and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 2 to 3 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the gnocchi.
- Combine Gnocchi with Sauce: Transfer the cooked gnocchi and reserved pasta water to the skillet with the tomato cream sauce. Toss continuously over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, approximately 2 minutes. Stir in fresh basil leaves, keeping some aside for garnishing.
- Add Burrata and Garnish: Break the burrata balls into pieces and evenly distribute over the gnocchi and sauce. Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with the remaining fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh burrata for the best creamy texture; if unavailable, fresh mozzarella can be a substitute.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be omitted or adjusted to taste for spiciness.
- Reserving pasta water is crucial to help loosen and emulsify the sauce, making it glossy and well-coated.
- If you prefer a lighter dish, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Serve immediately for the best texture, as gnocchi can become soft if left to sit too long.
Keywords: Creamy Tomato Gnocchi, Burrata, Italian Dinner, Easy Gnocchi Recipe, Creamy Tomato Sauce
