Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Bacon & Parmesan | Easy Dinner Recipe (2024)

Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Bacon & Parmesan is a quick, easy, and mouth-wateringly delicious dinner recipe. It’s super simple to prepare in just 15 minutes!

Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Bacon & Parmesan

So excited to share this super easy, ultra creamy pesto alfredo sauce, poured over dreamy, fluffy gnocchi and topped with crisp bacon and shaved parmesan. It’s warm, hearty, delicious, and perfect for busy weeknights. The combo of bacon, creamy basil pesto, and parmesan send this decadent sauce over the top!! It’s seriously too good to eat in public. Gnocchi are basically potato dumplings, so serve this to your meat-and-potatoes loving family for a sure-fire winner!

Here’s all you need — just a few simple ingredients you can keep on hand at all times: Heavy cream, basil pesto, chicken broth, potato gnocchi (find this on the pasta aisle), bacon, and salt and pepper. And YES, you can totally use fat-free half-and-half instead of heavy cream here! I’ve totally done it and you cannot tell the difference. So feel free to use the lighter stuff in honor of bathing suit season!

Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Bacon & Parmesan | Easy Dinner Recipe (3)

How to MakeCreamy Pesto Gnocchi

To start, you’ll need some cooked, crumbled bacon. My favorite way to cook bacon is in the oven at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. Comes out flat and evenly crisp ever single time. I then place the bacon between two paper towels to pat off any excess grease, chop the pieces that I need and freeze the rest. Bacon freezes wonderfully and is perfect for making ahead of time and pulling out of the freezer for later on busy weeknights.

Next, measure 1 cup of chicken broth in a slightly larger (at least 2-cup) measuring cup. I’ll explain why in a minute.

Pesto is another one of those things that freezes AWESOMELY. Whether you make it in huge batches at the end of summer or buy it at the store, I hardly ever have the need to use a whole jar of pesto at once. Fortunately, it freezes great and stays soft enough so I don’t have to worry about freezing it in batches. I just scoop out what I need straight from the jar. I always have pesto in my freezer for “throw together dinner” nights.

Scoop out 1/4 cup of pesto into the chicken broth. You’ll know you have 1/4 cup when the chicken broth rises from 1 cup to 1 1/4 cups. That’s why you needed a 2-cup measuring cup. Easy peasy! Now you don’t have to wash a second measuring cup. :)

Stir the broth and pesto together, breaking up the larger frozen chunks of pesto by pressing them against the sides of the cup, then set aside.

Next, melt one tablespoon of butter over medium heat in a large skillet.

Like so.

Dump in your gnocchi, arrange in one layer, and let cook for 5 minutes without stirring.

Until the bottoms are golden brown and toasty.

Next dump in your broth and pesto mixture…

Top with your cooked, chopped bacon…

And season generously with salt and pepper.

Stir to combine, and when the sauce comes to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 5-7 minutes until the gnocchi is soft and the sauce is thickened.

Then pour in your luscious cream.

Stir to combine, then serve up this creamy, dreamy, delicious masterpiece.

You can dig in as is, or go the extra mile and top with a little shaved parmesan to make it fahn-cy.

If you like, top this with some grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, or heck, even some 5-minute chicken for a perfect hearty meal.

Hope you enjoy this one! :)

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Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Bacon & Parmesan | Easy Dinner Recipe (21)

Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Bacon & Parmesan

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  • Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Bacon & Parmesan | Easy Dinner Recipe (22) Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Bacon & Parmesan | Easy Dinner Recipe (23) Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Bacon & Parmesan | Easy Dinner Recipe (24) Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Bacon & Parmesan | Easy Dinner Recipe (25) Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Bacon & Parmesan | Easy Dinner Recipe (26) Category: Dinner
  • Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Bacon & Parmesan | Easy Dinner Recipe (27) Method: Stove
  • Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Bacon & Parmesan | Easy Dinner Recipe (28) Cuisine: Italian

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Description

Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Bacon & Parmesan is a quick, easy, and mouth-wateringly delicious dinner recipe. It’s super simple to prepare in just 15 minutes!

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup basil pesto
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 (16 oz) package potato gnocchi
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • salt and pepper, to taste (I use 1/2 teaspoon each)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • shaved or shredded parmesan, cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Add pesto to chicken broth and stir to combine.
  2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add gnocchi in a single layer and cook for 5 minutes until toasted. Pour in the broth mixture, add cooked bacon, season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine.
  3. When the sauce comes to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 5-7 minutes until the gnocchi are tender and the sauce is thickened. Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine. Serve warm with chicken or a salad and bread. Enjoy!

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  • Dinner Ideas
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Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Bacon & Parmesan | Easy Dinner Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What do you serve with pesto gnocchi? ›

Pesto gnocchi can be served as a delicious lunch or easy dinner main. We often like to pair it with our garlic bread, but it can also be paired with a simple salad or additional roasted vegetables like green beans, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus spears.

What protein goes well with pesto gnocchi? ›

Here are my favorite protein-based recipes that pair well with pesto gnocchi:
  • Shrimp Scampi with Capers.
  • Garlic Parmesan Baked Salmon.
  • Pan-Seared Salmon with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes.
  • Greek Chicken.
  • Cajun Chicken.
  • Bacon Scallops with Lemon Butter Sauce.
Jun 17, 2023

How many calories are in creamy pesto gnocchi? ›

Nutrition per Serving
Energy1947 kj (465cal)22%
Cholesterol0.0g-
Carbohydrate Total53.9g17%
Sugars7.1g8%
Dietary Fiber4.7g16%
8 more rows

What is pesto gnocchi made of? ›

Ingredients
  • 1 package (16 ounces) potato gnocchi.
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil.
  • 1 cup diced zucchini.
  • 1/2 cup chopped sweet yellow pepper.
  • 1/4 cup prepared pesto.
  • 1 cup chopped tomatoes.
  • Toasted pine nuts, optional.
Aug 17, 2023

What is traditionally served with gnocchi? ›

The Gnudi, or spinach and ricotta gnocchi, is a typical recipe from Tuscany, usually served with a simple tomato sauce or with butter and sage. In fancy restaurants, sometimes these are served with very special aged parmesan cheese like pecorino or with a slice of lard that melts in contact with the hot gnocchi.

What main dish goes well with pesto pasta? ›

Seafood goes well with pesto pasta. Grilled Cod, Pan Seared Salmon, or Air Fryer Shrimp would all be tasty additions. Meaty Pesto Pasta. For pesto pasta with chicken, toss in my Baked Bone In Chicken Breast or Grilled Chicken Tenders.

What meat do you eat with gnocchi? ›

Beef and gnocchi is such a good combo! There's also no need to pre-cook the gnocchi. It cooks right in the sauce, which is convenient and helps with cleanup. This hamburger gnocchi recipe makes plenty of delicious sauce.

What to serve on top of gnocchi? ›

The 9 Best Sauces for Gnocchi
  • Sage and butter sauce.
  • Tomato and basil sauce.
  • Gnocchi alla Sorrentina.
  • Parmigiano Reggiano and Sage Cream.
  • Basil Pesto.
  • Pistachio Pesto.
  • Summer courgette and mint pesto.
  • Beef and Barolo wine ragù
Jan 20, 2020

What meat tastes best with pesto? ›

Pesto goes amazingly well with grilled steak, pork chops, chicken, and even fish, so you don't have to worry about spicing or marinating your meat. You can also season meatloaf or meatballs with pesto.

Is gnocchi good for you? ›

Compared to pasta, pizza or other types of food made from refined flour, gnocchi made only with potatoes and water have a lower glycemic index, despite the fact that the primary nutrients are carbs. Therefore, gnocchi can be a healthier option if chosen carefully.

Is pesto healthy? ›

Pesto Adds a Ton of Nutrients and Flavor to Food

Pesto is a delicious sauce often made from basil, olive oil, garlic, parmesan cheese and pine nuts. All of these ingredients have health benefits and the reason this topping is considered healthy is that the fat source is unsaturated.

How much gnocchi per person? ›

Allow approximately 125g gnocchi per person. For best results, place the gnocchi into a large pan of boiling water. Bring back to the boil and cook for 3 minutes according to taste. Drain thoroughly and serve immediately.

Is gnocchi more unhealthy than pasta? ›

Nutritional Value

Believe it or not, regular pasta is actually more carb-heavy than gnocchi, coming in at around 2 times the amount of carbs per serving. Gnocchi is also notorious for having a lot more sodium, with over 200 grams of it per serving. Regular pasta doesn't have nearly as high of a sodium content.

Can you eat gnocchi like pasta? ›

What Are Gnocchi? Gnocchi are small dumplings that are usually treated like pasta—boiled and tossed with a sauce.

Why is gnocchi better than pasta? ›

If you're looking for an gluten-free or healthier pasta alternative, gnocchi is an excellent option. Gnocchi isn't a low-carb pasta substitute. It's rich in carbohydrates, however, it's got plenty of nutrients. The main ingredient in gnocchi is potatoes.

What do Italians eat with pesto pasta? ›

In Liguria, pesto is usually eaten with trenette (a pasta shape similar to linguine) or trofie (short pasta made by rolling and twirling small pieces of dough by hand). However, I also love it with potato gnocchi.

What goes well with pesto pasta as a side? ›

The best side dishes to serve with chicken pesto pasta are garlic bread, Greek salad, stuffed mushrooms, antipasto skewers, roasted red pepper soup, Parmesan roasted broccoli, panzanella, Caprese salad, eggplant Parmesan, cauliflower steaks, roasted zucchini, avocado salad, and Brussels sprouts.

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