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Easy Gnocchi Recipe (One-Pan)

A quick, one-pan gnocchi recipe with crispy edges and your choice of buttery, tomato, or creamy sauce, ready in under 25 minutes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound potato gnocchi
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh herbs , basil, parsley, or sage, for garnish
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes , optional
  • 1 1/2 cups marinara or crushed tomatoes ,optional, tomato version
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano , optional, tomato version
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream , optional, creamy version
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan , additional (optional, creamy version)

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Large skillet
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook gnocchi until it floats, 2–3 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup cooking water.
  2. Heat butter or olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add gnocchi in a single layer and cook 2–3 minutes until golden, then toss and cook 1–2 minutes more.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. For tomato sauce, add marinara and oregano; simmer 3–4 minutes. For creamy sauce, add heavy cream; simmer 2–3 minutes and stir in extra parmesan.
  5. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Stir in parmesan, salt, and pepper.
  6. Garnish with fresh herbs and red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.