Kelly JensenThis caprese gnocchi recipe is a bright & fresh pasta dish, loaded with fresh mozzarella, basil, and cherry tomatoes – and it’s simple to make! Ready in 25 minutes, this delicious pasta recipe is fantastic for entertaining, a date night, or just enjoying a cozy dinner at home.
This gnocchi has a creamy parmesan sauce that is rich and garlicky, which pairs perfectly with the sweetness from the fresh tomatoes. Serve this gnocchi alla caprese with a light salad, like this apple arugula salad, and some easy homemade garlic knots for a complete meal!
Make a simple and comforting pasta (ready in less than 30 minutes!) with this delicious gnocchi caprese recipe! Fresh tomatoes and basil shine in this dish, and they are great tossed with soft and pillowy gnocchi and a light cheese sauce.
I start by sautéing chopped garlic in butter, add flour to make a roux, add milk and cheese, and finally toss in the cooked gnocchi. Top with tomatoes and basil, and you have a fantastic dinner that takes about 20 minutes, and is super simple to make. This was absolutely a 10/10 dinner recipe, and the perfect use for end-of-summer tomatoes or fresh basil.
This Caprese Gnocchi Recipe Is
- Fresh
- Simple to Make
- Saucy
- Garlicky
- Comforting
- Ready in 20 Minutes
- Vegetarian & Easy to Make!
Simple Tomato Basil Gnocchi with Mozzarella Cheese
This caprese gnocchi is the tastiest, easiest dinner recipe. It’s perfect for a quick meal for the family, and also great to make for company if you are having guests for dinner.
It makes a great summer pasta dish as well – a simple creamy vegetarian recipe to serve with a salad. Pasta is a fast and inexpensive meal. It takes only 20 minutes to cook, so you can enjoy extra time to prep sides or a salad.
Browse all our gnocchi recipes, and all our pasta recipes here! These dishes cook up quick, making them fantastic weeknight meal ideas!
What’s In This Gnocchi with Fresh Mozzarella Caprese?
I cook with fresh produce from my garden and from Misfits Market– they sell fantastic fruit, vegetables, & pantry staples at a discounted price. We get Misfit boxes every other week and love picking out seasonal produce for delivery. Get $10 off your first box by clicking here!
- Gnocchi – I love this classic potato gnocchi with is super light, super tender, and so good in this sauce.
- Tomatoes – use the freshest, sweetest ones you can find. In the summer, any tomato will work! In the off-season, I stick with cherry tomatoes which I find are usually sweeter.
- Fresh basil
- Fresh mozzarella balls – I used this Ciliegine which means “cherry sized” in Italian.
- Butter – I like to use unsalted butter to reduce the amount of sodium in my cooking.
- Garlic
- All Purpose Flour: I use organic all purpose flour for all my recipes, I love the consistency of the butter & flour roux, which thickens the sauce.
- Low Sodium Vegetable Stock – I like to use this low sodium vegetable stock for my recipes because it has great flavor… without all the salt. I always use low sodium or no-salt-added broth or stock to start, and then I can add salt or other spices later if needed. Check out some fantastic low sodium recipes here!
- Milk of choice – I used skim milk for this recipe, but you can use any milk you prefer. I’ve even made this with unsweetened almond milk before and it turned out great!
- Vegetarian Parmesan Cheese – not all parmesan cheeses are vegetarian, some contain animal rennet. I like this vegetarian version, which tastes just a good as authentic parm! Or you can use a vegan version instead too.
- Spinach – you can use fresh or frozen (I used a handful of fresh spinach) but either add a pop of color and earthy flavor.
How Do You Make Gnocchi with Tomatoes and Basil?
- Cook gnocchi according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan or skillet, heat the butter over medium low heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly browned. Add in the flour, and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture is well combined. Pour in the vegetable stock, and stir again for 4 to 5 minutes over low heat until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Add the milk, parmesan cheese, tomatoes, and spinach to the pan. Stir well.
- Toss the cooked gnocchi with the sauce, and heat until the pasta is warmed through and the sauce is bubbling.
- Toss with fresh basil and black pepper, and enjoy. Serve immediately!
Comfort Food Gnocchi Recipes
This caprese gnocchi recipe is the tastiest, coziest dinner meal. It’s perfect for a hearty meal for the family, and also great to make for company if you are having guests for dinner.
It makes a great entertaining recipe, anytime of year. Browse all our easy dinner recipes here to find your next favorite!
More Hearty Pasta Recipes You’ll Love!
Share This Easy Gnocchi Caprese Recipe!
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Caprese Gnocchi
Equipment
- Large Pan
Ingredients
- 16 ounces gnocchi
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup vegetable stock
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese vegetarian, if needed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup spinach fresh or frozen
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese plus extra for garnish
- 2 tablespoons basil sliced into ribbons
- Salt & Pepper to Taste
Instructions
- Cook gnocchi according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan or skillet, heat the butter over medium low heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly browned. Add in the flour, and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture is well combined. Pour in the vegetable stock, and stir again for 4 to 5 minutes over low heat until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Add the milk, parmesan cheese, tomatoes, spinach, and fresh mozzarella to the pan. Stir well.
- Toss the cooked gnocchi with the sauce, and heat until the pasta is warmed through and the sauce is bubbling.
- Toss with fresh basil and black pepper, and enjoy. Serve immediately!
Notes
Dietary Modifications
- This recipe is meatless, however some parmesan cheeses may not be vegetarian. Make sure you use a vegetarian parmesan cheese if needed.
Save on Fresh Groceries & Pantry Staples
I love shopping for fresh produce through Misfits Market. They sell fresh produce, pantry staples, and fantastic groceries (even wine!) at a discounted price. Choose your favorite seasonal produce, enjoy delivery right to your door, & $10 off your first box by clicking here. Getting groceries online has turned out to be a huge time and money saver for us. If you haven't tried a produce box yet, I highly recommend trying one out!Nutrition
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The combination of flavors is delicious