17 Easy Dinners That Start with a Package of Gnocchi

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If you're tired of long pasta noodles, these recipes using gnocchi are a great alternative for dinner. While gnocchi is traditionally made from potatoes, these recipes use both potato and cauliflower gnocchi, so you can sneak in an extra serving of vegetables. Not to mention, many varieties of gnocchi are shelf-stable and last for months in your pantry. Recipes like Vegan Gnocchi Soup and Air-Fryer Cauliflower Gnocchi with Marinara Dipping Sauce are delicious, filling and the perfect weeknight meal.

01 of 17

Crispy Gnocchi Pasta with Tomatoes & Leeks

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These gnocchi are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside because you sauté them in hot oil. Plus, they leave a little fond (crispy brown bits) in the pan that adds toasty flavor to the tomato and leek sauce, which is cooked in the same pan. Since this easy gnocchi recipe calls for store-bought shelf-stable gnocchi, it's quick to prepare--just 20 minutes, start to finish. Opt for whole-wheat gnocchi to get 2 extra grams of fiber per serving compared to white. This easy and healthy dinner is easy to customize too: see Tips for variations with shrimp, pesto instead of butter, and pork chops instead of gnocchi. Source: EatingWell Magazine, October 2019

02 of 17

Vegan Gnocchi Soup

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This Italian-inspired vegetable-packed soup features flavorful herbs, mushrooms, kale and tomatoes. Shelf-stable potato gnocchi are vegan, but if you want to make this soup gluten-free or lower in carbs, try cauliflower gnocchi instead. Source: EatingWell.com, November 2018

03 of 17

Gnocchi with Bacon & Creamy Pumpkin Sauce

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Get into the fall spirit with this one-pan gnocchi with a creamy pumpkin sauce. Some pumpkin and other squash sauces can be cloyingly sweet, but not this one--it's savory all the way, thanks to the bacon, garlic and thyme. Instead of being boiled, a package of store-bought gnocchi--one of our favorite convenience products--is browned and crisped in a little bit of bacon fat. Then the sauce (made with canned pumpkin--another great convenience product) is prepared right in that same pan, so cleanup is minimal too. Serve with a simple green salad for an easy dinner that comes together in 30 minutes. Source: EatingWell.com, September 2019

04 of 17

Roasted Gnocchi & Brussels Sprouts with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette

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In this quick vegetarian dinner recipe, you can skip boiling the gnocchi--they'll cook through while roasting on the sheet pan with the rest of the ingredients. If you can't find Meyer lemons, use 1 small regular lemon in Step 2 and use 4 teaspoons lemon juice and 2 teaspoons orange juice in Step 4. Source: EatingWell Magazine, November/December 2016

05 of 17

Sheet-Pan Mediterranean Chicken, Brussels Sprouts & Gnocchi

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In this healthy dinner recipe, chicken thighs, Brussels sprouts, cherry tomatoes and packaged gnocchi are all roasted on the same sheet pan for a complete meal that couldn't be easier to make. And though it's simple, this dish gets tons of flavor from Mediterranean seasonings, including garlic, oregano and red-wine vinegar. It all adds up to a dish that's ready to go into heavy weeknight rotation in your house. Source: EatingWell.com, September 2019

06 of 17

Air-Fryer Cauliflower Gnocchi with Marinara Dipping Sauce

Air-Fryer Cauliflower Gnocchi with Marinara Dipping Sauce
Photographer: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Robin Bashinsky, Prop Stylist: Elise Christiansen.

These are the perfect football-party food, or for anytime you need an easy appetizer or side dish. Cauliflower gnocchi get a crispy, cheesy coating on the outside and a tender middle in an air fryer. Marinara is the perfect complement for dipping. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2020

07 of 17

Spinach & Sausage Gnocchi

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Some like it hot--but if you don't, sweet Italian turkey sausage is also delicious in this healthy gnocchi recipe. Serve with a mixed green salad with sherry vinaigrette. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2015

08 of 17

Gnocchi with Zucchini Ribbons & Parsley Brown Butter

Gnocchi with Zucchini Ribbons & Parsley Brown Butter

For this recipe, convenient store-bought potato gnocchi are tossed with delicate ribbons of zucchini, shallots and cherry tomatoes that have all been sautéed in nutty browned butter. Source: EatingWell Magazine, June/July 2006

09 of 17

Spinach-Artichoke-Sausage Cauliflower Gnocchi

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Hearty and piquant, this quick cauliflower gnocchi dinner incorporates several healthy convenience ingredients, including turkey sausage and tender artichoke hearts, so dinner is on your table fast. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

10 of 17

Chickpea, Spinach & Squash Gnocchi

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Currants add a surprising touch of sweetness to this simple sauté of chickpeas, spinach, squash and gnocchi. We prefer the texture of shelf-stable gnocchi, but if sodium is an issue for you, opt for frozen instead. Serve with a glass of chardonnay. Source: EatingWell Magazine, September/October 2010

11 of 17

Skillet Gnocchi with Chard & White Beans

Skillet Gnocchi with Chard & White Beans

In this one-skillet supper, we toss dark leafy greens, diced tomatoes and white beans with gnocchi and top it all with gooey mozzarella. Serve with a mixed green salad with vinaigrette. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2009

12 of 17

Shrimp Oreganata Cauliflower Gnocchi

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This cauliflower gnocchi dinner is ready in just minutes on busy nights. A simple flavor-packed sauce marries the tender pasta with cooked shrimp. If you don't eat shrimp, use rotisserie chicken instead. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

13 of 17

White Bean-Sage Cauliflower Gnocchi

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Turn lower-carb cauliflower gnocchi into a complete and satisfying meal with this riff on classic brown butter and sage gnocchi. We added beans to amp up the fiber and protein for a fast and healthy dinner. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

14 of 17

Chicken & Gnocchi Dumplings

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This crowd-pleasing gnocchi recipe is perfect for an easy weeknight comfort meal. Get all the flavors of chicken and dumplings without having to make the dumplings when you use gnocchi in their place. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2015

15 of 17

Skillet Gnocchi with Shrimp & Asparagus

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The gnocchi cooks right in the skillet, along with shrimp, shallots, asparagus and Parmesan cheese, in this gnocchi recipe. Look for shelf-stable gnocchi near other pasta. Serve with baby arugula salad with vinaigrette and a glass of pinot grigio. Source: EatingWell Magazine, May/June 2012

16 of 17

Tomato & Artichoke Gnocchi

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Artichoke hearts, olives and a splash of red-wine vinegar give this ultra-quick, healthy vegetarian gnocchi recipe pizzazz. For an additional hit of Mediterranean flavor, try topping with feta cheese. Source: EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2015

17 of 17

Red Cabbage-Apple Cauliflower Gnocchi

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Tender cabbage and a vibrant applesauce-mustard pan sauce are the perfect pairing for pillowy low-carb cauliflower gnocchi. Add diced chicken-apple sausage for extra protein. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

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