Pan Fried Gnocchi with Basil Pesto

This Pan Fried Gnocchi with Basil Pesto comes together in less than 10 minutes and is so delicious! Perfect for those busy weeknights!

Gluten Free Gnocchi

I finally found a Gluten Free Gnocchi that I absolutely love from Delallo! Actually I prefer all of their Gluten Free pastas over other brands at the moment (no this is not sponsored). It’s all about the taste and the texture for me, and they really nail it with both. Win!

Why you’ll love this Pan Fried Gnocchi Recipe

It’s easy to make
Filling
Flavorful
Savory
Comforting
And oh so satisfying!

What is Gnocchi?

Gnocchi, pronounced ‘nyok-ee’ comes from Italy. It’s a dumpling typically made from flour, eggs and potato. So normally it is not gluten free. I used a gluten free Gnocchi for this recipe.

Ingredients

1 12oz package mini gluten free Gnocchi
1-2 Tbs EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
2 Tbs Basil Pesto (I used my homemade version, just click on the link for that recipe if you’d like to make your own. It’s so much better than store bought!)
1-2 tsp Water
Shredded Parmesan Cheese for garnish

What type of Gnocchi can you fry?

If you are using fresh Gnocchi, then there is no need to boil this first. You could just simply fry it in a pan until cooked through and crispy. The frying time will take longer if you don’t boil the Gnocchi first.

Since I used a store bought packaged Gnocchi, I found it was best when boiled for a few minutes first before frying it in a pan. This method also makes it much quicker to cook.

How to make Pan Fried Gnocchi

Cook Gnocchi as directed on package and drain.
Heat EVOO in a large frying pan over medium heat.
Add Gnocchi to the the pan in a single layer, leave undisturbed 3-4 minutes.
Turn and cook, tossing occasionally until golden all over (about 2 minutes).
Add Basil Pesto and a little bit of water until desired consistency of sauce is formed, sauté 1-2 minutes.
Serve immediately,
Garnish with Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Recipe FAQs

Do you need to boil Gnocchi before frying?

It depends on the type of Gnocchi you are using. If you are using fresh Gnocchi, you can skip the boiling part and fry it directly in the pan. Note cooking time will take longer than what’s noted in this recipe. If you are using vacuum sealed packaged Gnocchi which is what I used in this recipe, then it’s best to boil it for a few minutes before pan frying it.

How do I store leftovers?

You can store this in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can I use a different sauce?

Absolutely! I used Basil Pesto as a sauce for this recipe, but you can use any variety of pesto or even a pasta sauce for this.

Is Gnocchi usually gluten free?

No. Gnocchi is typically made with flour, eggs and potatoes. I used a store bought gluten free Gnocchi for this recipe.

Can I use butter instead of olive oil for frying?

Yes! You could even do a combo of both. I just prefer using olive oil for this recipe.

More Gnocchi Recipes

pan fried gnocchi with basil pesto in a bowl

If you try this recipe let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, rate it, share it on social media, or take a picture and tag it tastefulventure on Instagram!

I LOVE seeing what you guys cook up.

Cheers!