Italian cuisine boasts an array of mouthwatering dishes, with pizza, pasta, and gelato being just a few of the many tasty options. Gnocchi, made from a combination of potato, eggs, wheat flour, and salt, is another delightful addition to this culinary repertoire.
While these chewy dumplings can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, those who are new to gnocchi may struggle with ideas on how to prepare them.
To help you navigate this culinary delight, we will explore 20 easy and flavorful methods for serving gnocchi, including pairing suggestions with sauces, vegetables, meats, and more.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next dinner creation, keep reading!
Tomato Marinara Sauce
When it comes to pairing ingredients, few combinations are as iconic as gnocchi and tomato marinara sauce. This particular recipe is a masterclass in balance, with its tangy, sweet, and savory flavors working together in perfect harmony. The key to achieving this level of depth lies in the generous use of aromatics like garlic, onion, and oregano – trust us, it makes all the difference. For those looking to try something new, we highly recommend giving this recipe a shot.
Not only does it take just 50 minutes to prepare, but it also yields two generous servings. Perfect for a quiet evening in or as a special treat.
Tuscan White Bean Salad
When seeking a satisfying accompaniment to your gnocchi, look no further than this Tuscan white bean salad. While its simplicity may be deceiving, this harmonious blend of cannellini beans, earthy mushrooms, citrusy lemon juice, and an array of vegetables will leave you feeling pleasantly full. The recipe’s ease is another major draw, requiring only three straightforward steps and a mere 20 minutes to prepare and cook.
Simply allow the dish to reach room temperature before serving it atop your gnocchi and indulging in its delightful flavors.
Parmesan Cookies
Imagine serving something truly unique alongside your gnocchi. Enter parmesan cookies, a delightful combination of cheesy indulgence and crunchy texture that perfectly complements the fluffy pasta. The best part? These cookies are surprisingly easy to make from scratch, with no need for chilling the dough. Whip up a batch to enjoy with your family on a busy weekday evening – it’s ready in just 30 minutes!
Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
Introducing garlic parmesan green beans to your diet is a fantastic way to boost your veggie intake, especially when paired with pillowy gnocchi. These emerald green beans are packed with antioxidants, fiber, and a wealth of health benefits, making them an excellent addition to any meal. What sets these green beans apart is their harmonious balance of flavors – the pungency of garlic, the lightness of parmesan, and the earthy sweetness of the green beans themselves.
This culinary masterpiece can be prepared in just 30 minutes, making it a quick and satisfying option for even the busiest of days.
Eggplant Parmesan Poppers
Imagine elevating the classic combination of fritters and eggplant parmesan to new heights with eggplant parmesan poppers – a delectable twist on traditional gnocchi. This recipe is perfect for sparking creativity in the kitchen, whether you’re cooking with kids or friends. With its simplicity and quick 25-minute preparation time, it’s an ideal choice for dinner parties or impromptu gatherings. The result is tender eggplant that’s neither soggy nor too chewy, making it a crowd-pleaser.
Get ready to impress your guests with this delightful and easy-to-make recipe!
Creamy Blue Cheese Sauce
This heavenly blue cheese sauce recipe is a breeze to prepare, requiring only gorgonzola cheese as its star ingredient. With minimal components and a straightforward process, you can whip up a batch in no time. For an added layer of flavor, consider incorporating your favorite elements, such as crispy bacon, earthy mushrooms, or nutritious spinach (although the sauce is more than satisfying on its own!).
Best of all, this delectable condiment comes together in just 20 minutes – making it perfect for a quick and indulgent treat.
Kale Salad With Lemon Dressing
When pairing your gnocchi with something lighter, our kale salad with lemon dressing is an excellent choice. The combination of refreshing lemons, mixed vegetables, and homemade dressing not only yields a delicious result but also provides a healthy contrast to the indulgent nature of the gnocchi itself. This recipe can be prepared in just 20 minutes, making it an ideal option for a quick office lunch or light dinner.
Chicken Bolognese
Indulge in a satisfying weekend dinner with this homemade chicken bolognese, perfectly paired with gnocchi. The dish is characterized by its abundance of fresh ingredients, including bay leaves, carrots, and celery, which combine to create a rich and aromatic flavor profile further enhanced by the addition of chicken stock and oregano. While traditional chicken mince is used in this recipe, you can also opt to utilize leftover roast chicken for an equally delicious outcome.
With preparation time clocking in at approximately 40-45 minutes, this hearty bolognese is sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.
Green Peas With Butter
For a rapid, straightforward, and nutritious accompaniment to your gnocchi, look no further than a classic combination of green peas smothered in butter. A pinch of salt and pepper are all you need to bring out the natural sweetness of the peas, providing a delightful textural contrast to the fluffy pasta. This recipe is a whirlwind to prepare, requiring just 7 minutes from start to finish – making it an ideal solution for a quick and satisfying meal.
Sage Brown Butter Sauce
Indulge in the opulence of gnocchi paired with a rich sage brown butter sauce. The harmonious fusion of this classic French-inspired dish and fresh sage leaves creates a culinary experience that’s both decadent and refreshing. This versatile recipe can be easily adapted to suit your schedule, requiring just 10 minutes from start to finish. To ensure the perfect sauce, be mindful of the butter’s consistency as you stir it constantly to prevent burning.
With its ease of preparation and delightful flavors, this dish is an excellent choice for a quick yet satisfying meal.
Italian Stuffed Tomatoes
Indulge in the bold flavors of Italy by pairing your gnocchi with a rich and savory Pomodori Alla Lucani side dish. This quintessential Italian accompaniment combines the natural sweetness of tomatoes with the savory notes of garlic, pine nuts, anchovies, capers, and breadcrumbs. The harmonious blend of flavors is what makes this dish truly exceptional, especially when served alongside tender gnocchi.
With a preparation time of just 40 minutes, you can easily elevate your Italian-inspired meal to new heights.
Pork Stroganoff
Looking to mix things up with your pork stroganoff? Consider giving it a try over gnocchi instead! The creamy sauce pairs perfectly with the pillowy dumplings, creating a harmonious flavor combination that’s sure to delight. And when you add in the earthy sweetness of chestnut mushrooms, it’s a match made in heaven. If you prefer a lighter option, feel free to swap out the chestnut mushrooms for white, closed-cup varieties.
This recipe is quick and easy to make, requiring just about 30 minutes of your time. And best part? It serves four people, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Garlic Mushrooms
Indulge in a culinary delight that’s as effortless as it is impressive – garlic mushrooms and gnocchi. This straightforward yet delectable dish requires mere minutes of your time, with the secret to its irresistible charm lying in the harmonious union of sautéed mushrooms, garlic, fresh parsley, and thyme.
The subtle earthy notes imparted by these herbs perfectly balance the rich, meaty flavors, creating a truly mouthwatering experience that’s sure to leave you wondering if it was conjured up from the kitchens of a fine dining establishment. And the best part? You can have this treat ready in just 15 minutes!
Slow Cooker Chili Con Carne
This slow cooker chili con carne recipe offers a twist on tradition by serving the hearty dish with gnocchi instead of rice. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to prepare, requiring only 5 minutes of prep time before letting it simmer for 6 hours. Unlike other recipes that demand browning the mince beforehand, this one allows you to skip that step and simply focus on getting everything ready early in the day so it’s all set for a satisfying dinner.
Easy Homemade Pesto
Pesto’s versatility extends beyond pasta – it’s equally delicious paired with gnocchi. Rather than relying on store-bought options, creating your own pesto at home is remarkably straightforward. In just 20-25 minutes, using a food processor as the only necessary tool, you’ll have a fresh batch of this tasty sauce that will render store-bought varieties obsolete.
Tenderstem Broccoli With Garlic
When preparing your gnocchi, the key is to cook your vegetables to perfection. In this case, roasting tenderstem broccoli with garlic and finishing it off with sea salt and traditional Italian herbs creates a flavor profile that elevates your meal from basic to exceptional. For added variety, you can also try cooking the broccoli with fresh lemon for a bright and citrusy twist. This quick and easy recipe comes together in just 20-25 minutes, making it an ideal addition to any weeknight dinner.
Honey-Glazed Salmon
For a quick and easy dinner that doesn’t involve vegetables, look no further than this mouthwatering honey-glazed salmon. This weeknight staple can be on the table in just 8 minutes thanks to the convenience of an air-fryer! The sweet honey glaze is perfectly balanced by the savory flavor of soy sauce when paired with a side of gnocchi, making for a truly satisfying meal.
Roasted Cauliflower
When cauliflower is combined with a medley of flavors including dijon mustard, tomato paste, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning, it becomes a match made in heaven when served alongside gnocchi. The key to unlocking the full potential of this vegetable is to roast it, which yields a caramelized and indulgent treat after just 20 minutes in the oven.
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
There’s no need to reserve Brussels sprouts for special occasions. This simple yet flavorful recipe transforms them into a delicious side dish that can be enjoyed any time of the year. When paired with gnocchi, the combination is truly exceptional. You have the freedom to use either fresh or frozen Brussels sprouts, and both will yield excellent results as long as you incorporate plenty of pomegranate molasses to unlock their true flavor potential.
Final Thoughts
While simplicity is often the hallmark of Italian cuisine, gnocchi stands out as a particularly versatile dish. This humble offering can be elevated in a multitude of ways, from classic pairings with rich sauces like pesto and bolognese to more rustic combinations featuring fresh vegetables and comforting accompaniments like peas and butter or roasted cauliflower.
Whatever your preference, this article aims to inspire a new level of creativity in your approach to gnocchi cooking, whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a special occasion dish.
Barbara is an enthusiastic food-exploring person that goes through different culinary experiences. She got inspired by creating a pizza blog post after she tasted one of the best-selling pizzas in Toledo.