Description
30 Minute Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata is a quick, comforting weeknight dinner featuring tender potato gnocchi tossed in a luscious homemade creamy tomato sauce, finished with fresh burrata cheese and basil. Using simple ingredients like cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and cream, this dish delivers rich flavors in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings or casual family meals.
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 to 8 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
For the Gnocchi and Garnish
- 2 (16-oz.) packages potato gnocchi (DeLallo brand recommended)
- 2 (4-oz.) balls fresh burrata cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, sliced or torn
Instructions
- Boil Water: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil to cook the gnocchi later.
- Cook Garlic: Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add crushed garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes, being careful not to burn them.
- Simmer Tomatoes: Increase heat to medium and add the cherry tomatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most tomatoes break down and the mixture becomes jammy, about 10 to 12 minutes. Lower heat if garlic starts to burn. Season with red pepper flakes if using, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Add Cream: Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream, creating a creamy tomato sauce base.
- Cook Gnocchi: Once the water is boiling, add the gnocchi and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the rest.
- Toss Gnocchi with Sauce: Transfer the cooked gnocchi and reserved pasta water to the skillet with the creamy tomato sauce. Toss continuously over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 2 minutes. Stir in most of the fresh basil, reserving some for garnish.
- Add Burrata: Break the burrata balls into pieces and evenly disperse over the pasta mixture.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and garnish with the reserved basil leaves before serving.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen and thicken the sauce for better coating on the gnocchi.
- Adjust red pepper flakes amount to your preferred heat level or omit for a milder dish.
- Use fresh burrata for a luxurious creamy finish; alternatively, fresh mozzarella can be used but with less creaminess.
- Be careful not to burn garlic; reduce heat as necessary during tomato cooking step.
- This dish is best served immediately for optimal texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
