Pesto Pea Gnocchi Skillet (Printable version)

Vibrant skillet featuring crispy gnocchi, fragrant basil pesto, and sweet peas. Ready in just 25 minutes.

# Needed ingredients:

→ 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 extra 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 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 peas and spinach if using, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the peas are heated through and the spinach is wilted.
05 - Reduce heat to low, add the basil pesto and Parmesan, and toss until the gnocchi and vegetables are evenly coated and heated through.
06 - Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve immediately with extra Parmesan, fresh basil, and lemon zest if desired.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • The crispy edges on pan-fried gnocchi are nothing short of addictive
  • Ready in under 30 minutes but tastes like it took much longer
  • The pesto creates a silky coating that clings to every nook and cranny
02 -
  • Don't crowd the pan or the gnocchi will steam instead of crisp
  • Shelf-stable gnocchi works better than fresh for this cooking method
  • The pesto can separate if heated too aggressively, keep the heat low once it's added
03 -
  • Reserve a handful of crispy gnocchi pieces to scatter on top as a garnish
  • Homemade pesto with toasted pine nuts elevates this dish to restaurant quality
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