Creamy Sundried Tomato “Marry Me” Gnocchi Recipe
A rich and comforting creamy sundried tomato ‘Marry Me’ gnocchi recipe featuring crispy pan-fried gnocchi tossed in a fragrant and velvety sauce made with sundried tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, cream, and parmesan-style cheese, finished with fresh basil and baby spinach for a delightful melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- 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
Main Ingredients
- 18 oz gnocchi (or another short pasta shape)
- 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 from the sundried tomato jar), for sautéing and frying
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large, deep saucepan with a lid, heat a little olive oil, ideally the oil from the sundried tomato jar, over low-medium heat. Add the diced red onion and sauté until soft and translucent. Then add minced garlic, a pinch of red pepper or chili flakes, mixed Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and chopped sundried tomatoes. Continue to sauté for a few more minutes until all ingredients are soft and fragrant.
- Add Tomato Paste and Broth: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another couple of minutes to deepen the flavor. Then pour in the vegetable broth. Leave the sauce to simmer, partially covered, letting it reduce slightly while you prepare the gnocchi. The sauce will thicken during this time.
- Pan-Fry the Gnocchi: In a separate pan, heat a layer of olive oil (preferably from the sundried tomato jar) over low-medium heat. Add the gnocchi and pan-fry slowly, turning occasionally, until each piece is crisp and golden on all sides. This process takes about 10 minutes, allowing the gnocchi to be soft inside and crispy outside.
- Finish the Sauce: When the gnocchi is nearly done, add the heavy cream and grated parmesan-style cheese to the tomato sauce. Simmer gently over very low heat until the cheese has fully melted into a creamy sauce. Then stir in the chopped baby spinach and basil, cooking just until they start to wilt.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the crispy gnocchi into the creamy sundried tomato sauce until well coated. Plate immediately and serve warm. Enjoy your delicious creamy sundried tomato ‘Marry Me’ gnocchi!
Notes
- Use the oil from the sundried tomato jar for extra flavor when sautéing and frying.
- Chop sundried tomatoes finely to distribute flavor evenly in the sauce.
- Adjust chili flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- If you prefer, substitute gnocchi with another short pasta type, but cooking times and techniques may vary.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure the parmesan-style cheese is free from animal rennet.
Keywords: Creamy gnocchi recipe, sundried tomato gnocchi, Marry Me gnocchi, Italian pasta dish, creamy tomato sauce, vegetarian pasta recipe
