Italian cuisine has many delicious staples, pizza, many different types of pasta, gelato, the works! We will gladly add gnocchi to that list.
These tasty dumplings are typically made from potato, eggs, wheat flour, and salt, and are an extremely eclectic dish that pairs well with a variety of different sides and sauces.
But if you’ve never tried gnocchi before, you may not know where to begin. So, in this article, we will discuss 20 easy and tasty ways to serve gnocchi, including sauces, veggie sides, meat, and more!
So, if you’re looking for your next hit dinner idea, read on!
1. Tomato Marinara Sauce
Gnocchi and tomato marinara sauce is a divine combo. This marinara sauce in particular is both tangy, sweet, and filled with many delicious flavors that will have you reaching for second helpings.
The recipe is very easy to follow, too, just make sure you use plenty of garlic, onion, and oregano for an authentic flavor.
We would recommend trying out this recipe if you have never had gnocchi, or made your own sauce, before. It takes just 50 minutes to make and serves 2 people.
2. Tuscan White Bean Salad
If you’re looking for something hearty to serve with your gnocchi, then we recommend this delicious Tuscan white bean salad!
It may not seem like a lot, but this mix of cannellini beans, mushrooms, lemon juice, and plenty of veggies will leave your stomach feeling very satisfied.
Not to mention, the recipe is very easy to follow, containing only three steps and taking just 20 minutes total to prep and cook. Wait until it gets to room temperature, serve on top of the gnocchi, and enjoy.
3. Parmesan Cookies
If you want to serve something a little more “out-there” with your gnocchi, then allow us to introduce you to these tasty parmesan cookies. Cheesy and indulgent, these cookies provide a crunchy variation in texture to the fluffy gnocchi.
They’re extremely easy to make from scratch too, especially because the dough does not need to be chilled. You can whip up these cookies to serve with your gnocchi for a fun weekday dinner, and your family will love you for it.
This dish is ready in just 30 minutes.
4. Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
Garlic parmesan green beans are an excellent way to introduce more veggies into your diet, especially if you serve them with gnocchi! Green beans are full of antioxidants, fiber, and are just all-around fantastic in terms of health benefits and flavor.
The best thing about these green beans is that they’re full of flavor without being too overpowering, so you can enjoy the various flavors – the tangy garlic, the fluffy gnocchi, and the earth green beans, without it being overwhelming.
This dish is ready in just 30 minutes.
5. Eggplant Parmesan Poppers
Combine fritters and eggplant parmigiana and you get eggplant parmesan poppers, another amazing serving option for gnocchi!
This recipe allows you to get a little creative with your dinner, and is something you can make with young children or friends for a fun food-making experience!
It’s a simple recipe that allows you to create eggplant that is not soggy and not too chewy, perfect for serving at dinner parties! Best of all, it takes just 25 minutes to make!
6. Creamy Blue Cheese Sauce
This delicious creamy blue cheese sauce recipe calls for gorgonzola cheese, which tastes heavenly and should be easy to find at the supermarket.
It is a simple recipe to follow with minimal ingredients and to make it even tastier you can choose to add your favorite foods like bacon, mushrooms, or spinach (but the sauce tastes great on its own!)
It takes just 20 minutes to make this wonderful recipe!
7. Kale Salad With Lemon Dressing
If you want something a little lighter to serve with your gnocchi then we recommend this kale salad with lemon dressing.
Not only is this recipe delicious thanks to its use of refreshing lemons, a mix of veggies, and homemade dressing, but it’s also very healthy, which balances out the indulgence of the gnocchi perfectly.
This recipe takes just 20 minutes to make, perfect for a quick lunch for the office or a light dinner.
8. Chicken Bolognese
Hearty, filling, and delicious, homemade chicken bolognese is the perfect weekend dinner recipe for gnocchi!
It’s full of fresh ingredients like bay leaves, carrots, and celery, and has extras like chicken stock and oregano for that extra burst of flavor.
This recipe calls for chicken mince but you do have the option of using roast chicken if you already have some leftovers from another meal – it’ll taste just as good!
This recipe takes around 40-45 minutes to make.
9. Green Peas With Butter
If you want something quick, simple, and healthy to serve with your gnocchi then we can think of nothing better than green peas with butter.
Add some salt and pepper to taste and you have yourself a delicious, crunchy dish that pairs well with the fluffy gnocchi. This is by far the quickest recipe on this list, taking just 7 minutes to make in total!
10. Sage Brown Butter Sauce
Dine in luxury with gnocchi and sage brown butter sauce. This indulgent serving option is a blend of brown butter, which is a traditional, French sauce with a tasty, nutty flavor, and fresh sage leaves.
The sage leaves add a light, fresh touch to the luxurious recipe and can easily be found at your local supermarket.
This recipe is another easy one to follow and is perfect when you need a quick bite to eat, but be sure to consistently stir the butter so it does not burn. This recipe will be ready in just 10 minutes!
11. Italian Stuffed Tomatoes
Go all-out Italian by adding an Italian side dish to your gnocchi. Known as Pomodori Alla Lucani in Italy, this tasty dish contains tomatoes, garlic, pinenuts, anchovies, capers, and bread crumbs.
The mix of flavors is key to making this a delicious serving option with gnocchi, you’ll love the sweetness of the tomatoes mixed with the saltiness of the fillings. This dish takes just 40 minutes to make.
12. Pork Stroganoff
If you want to try something different with your pork stroganoff, why not try pouring it over gnocchi!
This creamy recipe compliments gnocchi beautifully without being overpowering, and when mixed with chestnut mushrooms, is a real treat for the tastebuds.
However, you have the option to use white, closed-cup mushrooms if you wish.It takes around 3o minutes to make and will serve 4 people.
13. Garlic Mushrooms
Garlic mushrooms and gnocchi is a very simple dish to make, but it tastes so good you’ll think they came right out of a restaurant. All you need to do is sautee mushrooms and garlic in butter, that’s it!
However, this garlic mushroom recipe in particular adds a unique twist to the traditional dish: adding fresh parsley and thyme.
You won’t believe how much these simple herbs will elevate the dish, providing some earthy tones to its rich, meaty flavors. Best of all? It takes just 15 minutes to make!
14. Slow Cooker Chili Con Carne
Traditionally served with rice, this slow cooker chili con carne recipe can be served with gnocchi instead as a delicious, filling alternative.
You do not need to brown the mince for this recipe, but it is a good idea to prep it as early as possible so you can let it cook throughout the day and be ready for dinner. This recipe takes just 5 minutes to prep and 6 hours to cook.
15. Easy Homemade Pesto
Pesto is a classic sauce for pasta and it works for gnocchi, too! You can easily find pesto sauce in your local supermarket, but this recipe makes it so easy to prepare that you’ll never need to (or want to) again!
All you need to make this tasty recipe is a food processor, and it will be ready in 20-25 minutes.
16. Tenderstem Broccoli With Garlic
If you cook your vegetables right, then you don’t need anything else for your gnocchi!
Take this recipe as an example, roasting tenderstem broccoli with garlic and then adding sea salt and traditional Italian herbs will taste so good that your meal won’t be basic or boring!
Tenderstem broccoli also tastes great when cooked with fresh lemon if you want to switch it up! This recipe will be ready in just 20-25 minutes.
17. Honey-Glazed Salmon
Another healthy dinner option not based around vegetables is this tasty honey-glazed salmon. This meal is perfect for weeknights when you’re very busy, because it can be ready to serve in just 8 minutes with an air-fryer!
The honey glazing adds sweetness to the salmon, and you have the option of adding some soy sauce for a brilliant contrast in flavor – both of which taste wonderful when paired with gnocchi!
18. Roasted Cauliflower
Cauliflower may not do much on its own, but when mixed with dijon mustard, tomato paste, parmesan cheese, and an abundance of Italian seasoning, these florets make for a delicious serving option with gnocchi!
It’s best to roast these veggies to make the most of their flavor, they’ll come out of the oven caramelized and delicious in just 20 minutes.
19. Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
Who said Brussel sprouts are just for the holidays? These crispy, air-fryer Brussel sprouts are great to eat no matter the time of year, and they taste great when mixed with gnocchi.
You can choose between fresh or frozen Brussel sprouts, they’ll taste just as good, just make sure you use plenty of pomegranate molasses to bring out their true, amazing flavor (if you cannot find any, a balsamic vinegar and honey mix is a great alternative.)
This recipe will be ready in just 20 minutes.
20. Mushroom Sauce
Last but not least, we have a delicious mushroom sauce. This sauce is creamy and indulgent, earthy and savory, it is the perfect blend of light and filling.
All this recipe calls for is 8 simple ingredients, but if you want to take it to the next level, you can add some wine and parmesan cheese.
This is perfect for dinner parties when you want to impress your friends and family. Best of all, it takes just 20 minutes to make.
Can I Use Leftover Gnocchi in any of the 20 Simple Leftover Pasta Recipes?
Leftover gnocchi can easily be transformed into delicious meals using the 20 simple leftover pasta recipes available. From creamy garlic gnocchi to gnocchi Alfredo, there are plenty of options to satisfy your cravings. Don’t let those leftovers go to waste – explore the world of simple leftover pasta recipes and discover delightful flavors with your leftover gnocchi.
Final Thoughts
Gnocchi is a simple, Italian dish that works well with a variety of serving options.
Much like pasta, you can choose to serve your gnocchi with a sauce, like pesto or bolognese, or you can choose to eat it with some simple sides, like peas and butter or roasted cauliflower.
We hope this article gave you some inspiration for your next gnocchi dinner!
Frequently Asked Questions
Gnocchi is a type of Italian pasta made from a variety of different ingredients. The most common ingredients in gnocchi are potatoes, eggs, and flour.
It is best to use starchy potatoes when making gnocchi, such as a baking potato, as opposed to more waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold. This is because starchy potatoes are low in moisture, which is key to making the gnocchi fluffy and light.
Yes, gnocchi is an excellent substitute for pasta!
Gnocchi can be paired with many of the same serving options pasta can, from a tomato marinara sauce, bolognese, mushroom sauce, and sides like tenderstem broccoli or a kale salad with lemon dressing.
- 15 Traditional Greek Breads - July 31, 2023
- 30 Delicious And Gluten-Free Cookie Recipes - July 29, 2023
- 30 Of The Best European Desserts - July 29, 2023