Creamy Tomato Gnocchi (Printer View)

Tender gnocchi cooked in a luscious tomato cream sauce topped with Parmesan and basil.

# Components:

→ Gnocchi

01 - 1 lb potato gnocchi (fresh or shelf-stable)

→ Sauce

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
06 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/4 cup vegetable broth
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp dried basil
10 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Cheese & Garnish

12 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
13 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

# Method steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
02 - Incorporate minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Pour in crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Stir in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
04 - Stir heavy cream into sauce and bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Add gnocchi to skillet, stirring to coat with sauce. Cover and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until gnocchi are tender.
06 - Remove lid, stir in grated Parmesan cheese, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until cheese melts and sauce thickens.
07 - Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan and fresh basil leaves.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in under 30 minutes but tastes like it simmered for hours.
  • One skillet means one pan to wash, and somehow that makes everything taste better.
  • The cream cuts the acidity of the tomatoes in a way that feels more luxurious than complicated.
02 -
  • Don't skip the 5-minute simmer before adding cream—those dried herbs need time to release their oils and bloom, or your sauce will taste flat.
  • If your sauce feels too thick at the end, thin it with a splash more broth or pasta water; if it's too loose, let it bubble for another minute uncovered and it'll tighten up beautifully.
03 -
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan—the block melts smoothly, while pre-grated cheese can get grainy from anti-caking agents.
  • Taste the sauce after the cream goes in and before the gnocchi, so you know exactly what flavor you're building.
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