Creamy Pesto Gnocchi for Two

This is the quickest pasta recipe on my blog, hands down. It’s a super simple, super creamy pesto sauce that I toss in cooked gnocchi and stir in a solid amount of parmesan cheese. With just a handful of simple ingredients, this easy pasta recipe comes together in just 15 minutes.

I created this recipe to serve two people, but you can double it (or triple it) if necessary. Just be aware that this recipe makes an ample amount of creamy pesto sauce, so you’re welcome to add a handful of extra gnocchi to it!

Ingredients for Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

• 6 oz. uncooked Gnocchi (find it in the pasta aisle!)
• 1 tbsp. Unsalted Butter
• 1/4 cup Basil Pesto*
• 1/4 cup Whipped Ricotta**
• 1/4 cup reserved Pasta Water
• 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan
• 1 tbsp. freshly squeezed Lemon Juice

*Store bought pesto is a perfect option to keep this recipe quick and easy, but if you prefer fresh basil pesto, I have a recipe for that just below.

**Whipped ricotta has only one ingredient: ricotta. I find that whipping it for 1-2 minutes in a mini food processor aerates the ricotta and develops a smooth, creamy texture. (Ricotta straight out of the container can be somewhat coarse and grainy.) If you don’t have ricotta or prefer a simpler route, substitute the ricotta with heavy cream.

Ingredients and Directions for Fresh Basil Pesto

*For about 1/3 cup of homemade basil pesto: (you’ll have a little extra!)

• 1 cup fresh Basil Leaves (tightly packed)
• 2 tbsp. Toasted Pine Nuts
• 1 clove Garlic (smashed)
• 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (good quality)
• 1/2 tsp. fresh Lemon Juice
• 1/4 tsp. Sea Salt
• 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan

1. Spread pine nuts in a single layer in a dry skillet. Cook the nuts over medium heat for 7-8 minutes, tossing regularly, until dark, golden brown and very fragrant. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.
2. In a mini food processor, combine basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, and smashed garlic clove. Pulse on “high” until all ingredients are minced.
3. Slowly drizzle in olive oil, pulsing frequently, until totally combined.
4. Add finely grated parmesan, salt, and lemon juice. Pulse until the cheese is just combined.

This is a great recipe for all pasta lovers (and for busy weeknights). Feel free to use any pasta of your choice. I like gnocchi in this because it clings to the pesto cream sauce so well, but any short pasta (like bowtie pasta, penne pasta, or cavatappi, or even orecchiette) would be great!

How to make Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the gnocchi according to package directions (typically about 2-3 minutes.) Before draining the gnocchi, be sure to reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
• Melt the butter in a large, non-stick pan over low heat.

• Stir the pesto into the butter, then stir in the whipped ricotta (or heavy cream) until fully combined.

• Stir in three tablespoons of the pasta water until the sauce is smooth and creamy, then stir in the cooked gnocchi until coated in the sauce. (If you’d like a creamier texture, add more pasta water one tablespoon at a time until it is the consistency you love!)

• Stir in the parmesan and the lemon juice until fully combined.

• Serve immediately!

Variations of Creamy Pesto Pasta

You can do a LOT with this recipe if you want to! It’s delicious as is, but you could definitely add some fresh garlic, fresh spinach, red pepper flakes (Mark gives a nod to that idea), blistered cherry tomatoes, cream cheese, or even shredded rotisserie chicken into the sauce before serving.

What to Serve with Pesto Pasta

• This garlic bread (it’s a cheesy roasted garlic bread) would be phenomenal with this pasta dish.
• A fresh salad (think like crunchy romaine and your favorite dressing)
• This Steakhouse Caesar Salad
• Juicy chicken (like grilled chicken breast or thighs), or even baked chicken tenders

Wine Pairings for Pesto Pasta

I tend to lean towards white wine when it comes to a pairing with pesto sauce. My recommendations would be:

• Gruner Veltliner
• Pinot Grigio
• Sauvignon Blanc

You can read more about this pairings in depth on our sister site, Polished Pairings.

If you make this easy recipe and you love it, a comment and star rating below would be amazing! Tag me on Instagram if you post a photo to social media, too. As always, feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions!

xx Sara