This 30 Minute Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata is the ultimate quick and easy weeknight dinner that feels like a restaurant-quality meal. Made with just a handful of fresh ingredients, it combines pillowy potato gnocchi with a rich, jammy tomato sauce and luxurious burrata cheese.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights because it comes together in just 30 minutes using only seven simple ingredients. You will love how the cherry tomatoes burst in olive oil to create a naturally sweet and savory sauce that is perfectly balanced by heavy cream. The addition of fresh burrata adds a cool, creamy element that makes every bite feel incredibly indulgent.
Ingredients
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed
- Cherry tomatoes
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Kosher salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Heavy cream
- Potato gnocchi
- Fresh burrata cheese
- Fresh basil leaves
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the gnocchi.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Increase the heat to medium and add the cherry tomatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes until the tomatoes break down and become jammy.
- Season the sauce with red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper, then reduce the heat and stir in the heavy cream.
- Add the gnocchi to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water and drain the rest.
- Transfer the cooked gnocchi and the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss continuously for about 2 minutes until the sauce is thickened and glossy.
- Stir in the fresh basil, then break the burrata balls into pieces and disperse them evenly over the pasta. Remove from heat and garnish with extra basil.
Expert Tips / Pro Tips
For the best results, be sure to add enough salt to your homemade sauce to bring all the flavors to life. If you want a punchier sauce, use the full 8 cloves of garlic, or scale back to 5 or 6 for a milder flavor. A key secret to a glossy sauce is reserving the starchy pasta water; adding it back into the skillet helps the tomato cream sauce emulsify and stick perfectly to the gnocchi.
If you want to add more protein, this dish works wonderfully with sautéed shrimp, meatballs, or a sliced chicken cutlet. To make the recipe gluten-free, look for chickpea gnocchi or cauliflower gnocchi in the freezer section. You can also increase the vegetable content by tossing in a few handfuls of fresh baby spinach at the end, which will wilt beautifully into the warm sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Because this gnocchi dish is rich and creamy, it pairs best with a crisp, acidic side salad. Try serving it alongside a shaved Brussels sprout and pear salad or a spicy artichoke salad to balance the flavors. A side of crusty Italian bread is also excellent for dipping into the extra tomato cream sauce left on the plate.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, do so gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to rehydrate the sauce. This is also a great freezer meal; simply freeze the gnocchi and sauce (without the burrata) for up to 3 months, and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and adding fresh cheese.
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 466 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 64 g |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Saturated Fat | 6.5 g |
| Sodium | 990 mg |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
FAQ
What is gnocchi made of?
Gnocchi are small Italian dumplings typically made from a combination of cooked potatoes, flour, and sometimes egg.
Where can I buy gnocchi?
You can find gnocchi in the dry pasta aisle, the refrigerated pasta section, or the freezer section of most grocery stores.
What is healthier, gnocchi or pasta?
Gnocchi is more nutrient-dense and often higher in carbohydrates than traditional pasta, but both can be part of a healthy diet depending on portion sizes and the ingredients in the sauce.
30 Minute Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata
Ingredients
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Increase heat to medium and add tomatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the tomatoes break down and become jammy, about 10 to 12 minutes. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in heavy cream.
- Add gnocchi to boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water and drain remaining.
- Transfer cooked gnocchi and reserved pasta water to skillet with tomato sauce and toss continuously until the sauce is thickened and glossy, about 2 minutes. Stir in fresh basil.
- Break burrata balls into pieces and disperse evenly over pasta. Remove skillet from heat and garnish with reserved basil.