Pesto Pea Gnocchi Skillet (Printable)

Crispy pan-fried gnocchi tossed with fragrant basil pesto and sweet green peas for a vibrant weeknight meal.

# 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 additional 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 olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
02 - Add the gnocchi in an even layer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7-8 minutes until golden and crisp on all sides.
03 - Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Stir in the peas and spinach if using. Cook for 2-3 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 black pepper to taste.
07 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan, fresh basil, and lemon zest if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Pan-frying gnocchi creates these incredible crispy edges while keeping the inside pillow-soft and totally addictive
  • Everything happens in one pan, meaning less cleanup and more time to actually enjoy your evening
02 -
  • Do not overcrowd the pan or the gnocchi will steam instead of crisp, so use your largest skillet or cook in batches if necessary
  • The garlic can burn faster than you expect, so have your peas measured and ready to toss in the moment you add the garlic to the pan
03 -
  • Reserve a splash of pasta water if you boiled fresh gnocchi instead, though the shelf-stable version really does work best for this technique
  • Warm your pesto slightly in the microwave before adding it to the skillet so it coats everything more evenly
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