We really lucked out this past weekend in Michigan, with temperatures in the 70s and low humidity. It was the first truly beautiful weather we’ve had this year—the kind of weather that can (at least temporarily) melt away your stress as soon as you step outside and let the sunshine wash over your skin. The recipe I’m sharing today, creamy pesto gnocchi, is well-suited for spring days like these, when we’re getting more hours of daylight and we’re eager to spend time outdoors!
I’ve studied a decent number of languages over the years, but never Italian. Consequently, I’ve never learned the rules of Italian pronunciation, a shortcoming that frequently troubles me at restaurants and in the company of Italian-speaking friends and colleagues. Whenever I can, I like to look over restaurant menus in advance, not only because I can then make conversation more freely when I arrive at the restaurant (rather than silently poring over entrée options), but also because I then have the chance to Google any words I don’t know how to say. Even with the help of online sound clips, I’m still a bit self-conscious when saying “gnocchi,” but luckily, if I cook it at home, I don’t have to embarrass myself by butchering the pronunciation in front of a waiter!
So for those of us who have never studied Italian, some good news: this creamy pesto gnocchi is easier to prepare than it is to pronounce! And even if you have studied Italian, it’s really only a bit more difficult to prepare than to pronounce, since gnocchi cooks in a mere fraction of the time pasta requires—only two or three minutes! And you can whip up the pesto cream sauce* in less than the time it takes to boil water for gnocchi, so this is truly un piatto veloce da preparare (a quick dish to prepare)!
^ Seriously, I don’t know Italian. If that’s grammatically incorrect, will someone please tell me?
Grammar and pronunciation aside, this creamy pesto gnocchi is downright dreamy! You can’t go wrong with pillowy soft gnocchi, a rich and earthy pesto sauce, and a hearty helping of your favorite vegetables!
*Since high-quality fresh basil is still a little hard to come by at this point in the year, I used a jar of pesto from the store. Even if you make pesto from scratch, however, the sauce still comes together very quickly. If you’ve got fresh basil, I highly recommend making homemade pesto—it’s unbeatable!
I’m sharing the recipe for this creamy pesto gnocchi on the blog Or so she says…, so head over there for the details!
I’m also sharing this post at the following link parties: The Wednesday Showcase, Foodie FriDIY, Fiesta Friday, and Recipe of the Week.
I constantly have a freezer full of pesto (without the cheese) because my husband loves it so much he can practically have it over ice cream. For pasta I often thin it with cream. It just makes it so much, well, creamier! Lovely photos!
Thanks, Mimi! I’m hoping to try freezing some pesto this summer. I wanted to last year, but we ate all the basil before I got around to it!
Hahahahaha!
I have to agree that the weather this past weekend was fantastic! It was hard coming into work today knowing that the weather would still be so nice! I love gnocchi but I usually only eat when I’m at a restaurant. Your dish looks delicious and says “welcome spring time” to me 🙂
Oh I know, who wants to be inside, working, when we’ve got such gorgeous weather?! I hope you had a great weekend!
Mara, this looks soooo good! Gnocchi is one of my favorite things. I love all of the vegetables you added and will definitely be trying this recipe.
Thanks so much, Heather! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 🙂
I really like the earthy look of this dish, and it tastes delicious! I can’t wait to have it (again) 🙂
I’m glad to hear you liked it! This is such a quick recipe that it’s even do-able for lunch, I think 🙂
Yum yum! I love anything with pesto. Especially if it also has the word “creamy” in the title!
Agreed – anything with “creamy” or “pesto” is bound to taste fantastic!
Gnocchi is one of my favorites! I try to keep it on hand because you’re right – it’s just so fast and easy! I love how many veggies you loaded into this dish and that creamy pesto – swoon! Sounds like a fantastic combination 🙂
Thanks, Kathryn! I find that this is a great dish for using up whatever veggies are hanging around in the fridge/freeze. The creamy pesto sauce is indulgent, but I think the veggies help balance things out!
Looking over the menu beforehand is such a great idea! I usually pull my phone out at the restaurant if I need to look something up (how rude!). Love all the veggies in this dish 🙂
I think you can be forgiven for using your phone to look up things on the menu 😉
Yum! I love the idea of making this dish with some homemade pesto once there is more fresh basil readily available. Enjoy the warm weather while it lasts! Happy FF! 😀
Yes, I can’t wait until we start getting basil from the garden – homemade pesto is SO delicious! Thanks for stopping by, Kaila!
Beautiful dish Mara! I wish that I spoke another language but don’t. My daughter speaks 3 languages and teaches French. Don’t know where she came from.
Thanks, Julie! And wow, that’s awesome that your daughter speaks so many languages! While I’ve always been good at learning to write and read in other languages, I’ve always struggled a bit with the speaking and listening aspects…I just don’t have a very good ear, I suppose.
I just have a lazy brain I think! 🙂
Haha, I doubt that! Everyone just has different strengths 🙂
Gnocchi is a favorite and top it with pesto (I make sure I have plenty of room in my garden for basil to make my own) and then use veggies of your choice – great recipe! Thanks for sharing with FF #116.
Thanks! One of the great things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize it with different types of pesto, different veggies, etc. I was thinking of trying it with a sun-dried tomato and walnut pesto next!
The dish looks scrumptious ! Amazingly flavored. 🙂
Easy and tasty…it’s a win-win! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
🙂
I could imagine how delicious this dish is. Yum!
I’m glad to hear it! Thanks 🙂
With those nice warm temps, this dish is the perfect way to lighten up traditional gnocchi. Love it!
Thanks, Sarah! I hope you get a chance to make this!
Mara, this gnocchi looks so delicious and simply perfect for spring!
LOVE your confession about researching menus ahead of time before being seated at the restaurant. I am absolutely guilty of doing that too! And also of just pointing at the word on the menu when I order, in case my preparation has failed me and I still can’t pronounce it once I’m there.
-Lauren-
Haha yes, I’ve definitely pointed at the menu to avoid having to pronounce things! And I’m glad I’m not the only one who routinely scouts out menus in advance 🙂
A perfect combo! One of my favourite Italian classics and even better with the added vegetables. Whenever I order gnocchi I think I can see a smile on the waiters face and I always wonder if I pronounced it right!:)
Thanks, Petra! I’m sure waiters at Italian restaurants have heard it all by now 😉
Oh I think so! They must have a giggle sometimes 🙂
It is warm here in New York too.. I love your pesto gnocchi! I don’t know why I don’t bring gnocchi that often. That is going to change now.
I haven’t typically made gnocchi all that often in the past, either, but my boyfriend really loves it, so I’m trying to incorporate it into our rotation a bit more. It’s SO easy to make!
This looks like an amazing dish Mara – so many wonderful flavors going on, I could easily devour a bowlful of this deliciousness right about now. Note to self~ do not check other blogs just around dinner time~ 🙂
Oh I make that mistake ALL the time of looking at blogs or Instagram when I’m hungry! I’m glad this caught your eye 🙂
I love pesto and this dish looks and sounds delicious! Definitely one my family would enjoy x #recipeoftheweek
So delicious and SO easy! I hope you get a chance to try it 🙂