Pesto Pea Gnocchi Skillet (Printer-friendly)

Crispy gnocchi with fragrant basil pesto and sweet green peas. A colorful, satisfying vegetarian dinner ready in just 25 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Gnocchi

01 - 18 oz shelf-stable potato gnocchi

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
03 - 2 cups baby spinach, optional

→ Pesto

04 - 1/3 cup basil pesto, store-bought or homemade
05 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

→ Aromatics and Oils

06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

09 - Fresh basil leaves, optional
10 - Lemon zest, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
02 - Add the gnocchi in an even layer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes until golden and crisp on all sides.
03 - Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Stir in the thawed peas and spinach if using. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the peas are heated through and the spinach has wilted.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Add the basil pesto and Parmesan cheese. Toss until the gnocchi and vegetables are evenly coated and heated through.
06 - Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to preference.
07 - Transfer to serving plates immediately. Garnish with additional Parmesan, fresh basil leaves, and lemon zest if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get restaurant-quality crispy texture in under 30 minutes without any fancy techniques
  • The pesto creates an instant sauce that clings beautifully to every nook and cranny of the gnocchi
  • Sweet peas burst between your teeth, creating tiny moments of brightness in every bite
02 -
  • Resist the urge to stir the gnocchi too frequently at the start, or they will steam instead of crisp
  • Let the pan get properly hot before adding the gnocchi, or you will end up with soggy, oily results
  • The pesto can separate if overheated, which is why you reduce the heat before tossing it in
03 -
  • Pat thawed peas completely dry with paper towels to prevent the pesto from becoming watery
  • Use a microplane to grate the Parmesan finely so it melts instantly into the sauce
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