Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Gnocchi

If you have never made creamy sun-dried tomato gnocchi, tonight is the night. This dish is one of those happy accidents in my kitchen where I threw together what I had on hand and ended up with something that tastes like it came straight from a little Italian trattoria. Pillowy gnocchi, silky cream sauce, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil. It is pure magic and it takes about 25 minutes start to finish.

I make this on nights when I want something that feels indulgent but I do not have the energy for anything complicated. It is also one of those recipes that impresses guests every single time, and nobody has to know how easy it was.

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Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Gnocchi

Pillowy gnocchi tossed in a rich, velvety cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil. This restaurant-quality dinner is ready in just 25 minutes.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb potato gnocchi shelf-stable or refrigerated
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil drained and chopped
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan plus more for serving
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 2 tbsp olive oil from the sun-dried tomato jar
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
• fresh basil for topping
• salt and pepper to taste

Method

 

1. Cook gnocchi according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil from the sun-dried tomato jar over medium heat. Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Saute 2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Pour in broth and let it reduce by half, about 2 minutes.
4. Add heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Stir in Parmesan until melted. Add spinach and stir until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Add drained gnocchi to the sauce and toss to coat. Add a splash of pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
7. Serve immediately topped with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.

Notes

For a thicker sauce, let it simmer a bit longer before adding the gnocchi. If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of pasta water to loosen it up. The starchy water is your best friend here.

The Secret is in the Sun-Dried Tomato Oil

Here is a little tip that makes this dish so much better: use the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar to saute your garlic. That oil is packed with concentrated tomato flavor and it elevates the whole sauce without any extra effort. I always keep a jar of sun-dried tomatoes in oil in my pantry for exactly this reason. A good large stainless skillet gives you plenty of room to toss the gnocchi in the sauce without it spilling everywhere, which I learned the messy way.

Tips for the Creamiest Gnocchi

A few things that make a big difference: First, do not skip reserving some pasta water before you drain the gnocchi. That starchy water is liquid gold for adjusting your sauce consistency. Second, let the cream sauce simmer until it coats the back of a spoon before adding the gnocchi, that way every little pillow gets fully coated. Third, add the Parmesan off the heat or on very low heat to prevent it from clumping. And finally, serve this immediately. Gnocchi in cream sauce is best eaten fresh while everything is warm and silky.

Make It Your Own

This recipe is endlessly adaptable. Add grilled chicken or sauteed shrimp to make it more substantial. Swap the spinach for kale or arugula. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken to keep it fully vegetarian. You can also add a handful of fresh cherry tomatoes to the sauce for extra brightness. If you want more depth, a splash of white wine after the garlic is incredible. And if you are feeding picky eaters, you can absolutely leave out the red pepper flakes.

The Bottom Line

Creamy sun-dried tomato gnocchi is the weeknight dinner that looks like you spent all evening cooking when really you were just living your best life. It is rich, satisfying, full of bold Italian flavors, and genuinely easy to pull off on any given Tuesday. Add it to your dinner rotation immediately.

xo, Pam