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Creamy Pesto Gnocchi Pasta
Gnocchi is generally known as an Italian pasta. They are made up of little dumplings which can be made from wheat, potato and eggs. Traditional gnocchi is made from potatoes. Gnocchi actually means "lumps." This recipe is wonderfully quick and easy because it is made by using pre-made gnocchi. What a refreshing break from just the typical baked potato and rice as a side dish. Furthermore, gnocchi pares with so many main dishes, especially since it can be created with lots of different sauces such as tomato, mushroom, lemon and more. It can also become an easy one-skillet meal by adding diced ham, chopped chicken or prosciutto, for example. Or enhance it as a side dish by adding just about any cooked vegetable such as mushrooms, carrots, spinach, asparagus and more. Finally, it can just be a meatless main dish.
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Serves: 4-5
Suggested Tools:
· Large skillet
· Stir spoon
· Cutting board
· Sharp knife
· Measuring cups
Ingredients:
· 16 ounces packaged pre-made gnocchi
(either shelf or refrigerated versions)
· 1 cup heavy cream
· ½ cup white wine or chicken broth
· ¼ cup pesto
· ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
· 1 tablespoon peeled freshly chopped garlic
· 1 teaspoon butter
· Salt and pepper
Instructions:
1. On low heat, melt the butter in the skillet and gently sauté the minced garlic for a couple of minutes, but do not allow the garlic to turn any shade of brown.
2. Add the cream and wine/broth to the skillet. Then gradually mix in the pesto and parmesan cheese to combine evenly.
3. Break up the gnocchi pieces so they are more individual pieces rather than clumps. Add the gnocchi to the pesto cream mixture. Turn the heat to medium low and stir continually while the mixture cooks to a slow boil and the sauce begins to thicken which takes a couple of minutes. Turn the heat down to low again.
4. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for about five to ten minutes until the gnocchi is hot and tender. I recommend tasting one gnocchi piece to confirm tenderness. Salt and pepper to taste.
Optional: Sprinkle the top of serving dish with grated parmesan cheese.
5. Serve immediately.
Tip: You can adjust the level of sauce thickness by either adding more cream or wine for a thinner sauce or add more parmesan cheese for a thicker sauce.
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