Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi
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Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi
Indulge in the garlicky, extremely flavorful + fast comfort of this Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi recipe--- Where soft, pillowy gnocchi meets the delightful blend of fresh garlic, lemon juice + slices, organic heavy cream, white wine, and a medley of herbs and seasonings creating a rich, velvety buttery sauce. It's the perfect weeknight option or comforting weekend addition, and those little soft pillows of goodness will have the entire family hooked. Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan + Meat options!
This Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi Seriously Hits The Spot!!
Y'all this Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi is the epitome of richness, decadence, and comfort, while also exuding a wonderfully fresh flavor. If there's one thing everyone knows about me, it's my deep love for comfort food, especially anything pasta-related. The combination of zesty lemon, bold parmesan + buttery herbs is sheer perfection. This dish may sound fancy, but in reality, it's incredibly easy to whip up and is ready in just 25 minutes!
I can't resist a comforting pasta dish, and gnocchi is a regular star in my weekly menu. There's something about the unique texture of gnocchi that I adore. I've even been getting creative with it recently, whipping up dishes like Skillet Baked Cheesy Pumpkin Gnocchi, Weeknight Jamaican Curry Chicken + Gnocchi + Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup. What can I say? Gnocchi is my little pillowy canvas for creative kitchen experiments!
If you love lemony fresh recipes, then you absolutely have to try my homemade lemon pepper seasoning and explore dishes like Creamy Lemon Broccoli Tortellini Soup, Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Tilapia, and Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken!
Jump to:
- This Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi Seriously Hits The Spot!!
- What is Gnocchi + How Do You Make It?
- How To Make Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi
- Ingredients
- Delicious Additions to Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi
- Topping Ideas for Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi
- 5 Reasons Why You Will LOVE This Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi
- What Are Delicious Foods to Pair This Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi With?
- Choosing Your Perfect Pasta
- What Will Thicken Pasta Sauce?
- What White Wine is Best in Pasta?
- Common Q + A's for Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi
- More Creamy Pasta Recipes You'll Love!
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi
What is Gnocchi + How Do You Make It?
Gnocchi are basically Italian dumplings made with flour, eggs, and potatoes---unless they are egg-free like this one that I purchased from Delallo foods. When it comes to making your own gnocchi, the process is done is fairly a few steps. It starts with boiling and mashing the potatoes, combining the ingredients together and kneading them into a ball, shaping the dough, cutting them into pieces, and boiling and draining the gnocchi. For a great recipe, check out AllRecipes.com.
How To Make Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi
To whip up this Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi, kick things off by boiling the gnocchi until they're tender and float to the top of the water. For the sauce, you'll dive into sautéing a few garlic cloves in butter, followed by adding the seasonings, lemon juice, cream, and other ingredients. Finally, whisk in the parmesan until the sauce is velvety smooth, and combine it all together!
Ingredients
Here's what you need to make this Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi recipe at home:
- Gnocchi. You can make them yourself or purchase a quality store-bought version from Delallo Foods. For a gluten-free version, simply use gluten-free gnocchi.
- Vegetable stock. Use store-bought low-sodium broth or make your own!
- Heavy cream. I recommend organic–always! Of course, for a vegan option, just use full-fat coconut cream/milk. Organic Valley is my go-to brand!
- Butter. I recommend unsalted. You can always substitute with olive oil, grapeseed oil, or coconut oil. For a vegan option, use vegan butter.
- Garlic. I prefer fresh, but you could substitute with 1 Tablespoon garlic powder in a pinch for a bold flavor. You can also roast a garlic bulb for greater flavor.
- Herbs + Seasonings. A great addition of flavor. Adds such savoriness from the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, parsley, oregano,thyme, dill and basil.
- Lemon juice + zest. This helps to give the bold lemon-y flavor + adds a bright note of citrus and acidity.
- Parmesan. I love to freshly grate my cheese, however, you can use your favorite shredded brand---quality does matter! You could also use pecorino romano. For a vegan option, So Delicious Dairy-Free or Violife cheese shreds taste great.
- Organic all-purpose flour. Helps to thicken the sauce
- White cooking wine. (You can sub with veggie stock)
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS CREAMY GNOCCHI!
Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi. Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, wooden spoons, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
Delicious Additions to Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi
Although this Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchii recipe is amazing on its own, if you feel like adding a little extra flare, here are some ideas -
VEGGIE
- Roasted chickpeas for added crunch and protein
- Grilled eggplant or zucchini slices
- Marinated artichokes
- Kale or other greens!
- Sliced Kalamata olives for a tangy twist
- Crumbled tofu or tempeh for a meaty texture
- Steamed broccoli florets for added greenery
MEAT
If you aren't restricted to only meatless options, then you can spruce things up by adding -
- Grilled or shredded chicken
- Sliced Italian sausage (spicy or mild)
- Chopped bacon or pancetta
- Shrimp or lobster
Topping Ideas for Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi
While I love this Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi dinner as-is, straight from the pan, you can dress it up with toppings if you like.
For extra flavor, color, and texture, you can try:
- Candied bacon (If you eat meat)
- Dollops of Pesto Sauce
- Chopped nuts, such as toasted pecans or walnuts
- Homemade croutons
- Sliced jalapeños for a bit more heat
- Roasted pumpkin seeds for texture
- More parmesan cheese
- Crispy sage leaves
- Toasted panko bread crumbs
If you discover a new favorite topping idea, be sure to let me know in the comments section below!
5 Reasons Why You Will LOVE This Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi
- Creamy zesty and oh-so-delicious!
- It’s meatless--but still works for any eater.
- Perfect for busy weeknights and ready in 25 minutes!
- Fluffy pillowy gnocchi.. Need I say more?
- A definite crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
What Are Delicious Foods to Pair This Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi With?
Here's the thing. This Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi recipe is so delicious and flavorful that you can honestly enjoy it all by itself. Seriously, the fluffy, tender gnocchi pillows + aromatic buttery + herby creamy sauce is everything! So, feel free to dig in and savor every single bite. It's a dish that stands tall on its own!
But if you're anything like me (A huge bread lover.. Haha), then I recommend enjoying some crusty bread on the side. I make my own homemade Cheesy Kale Garlic Bread and Texas Toast Garlic Bread -- and they are an amazing vessel for scooping up every last drop of saucy goodness.
If you want a little freshness, serve it with a salad on the side, like this Fall Harvest BBQ Chickpea Kale Salad, Fall Harvest Apple Kale Salad or this Best Buffalo Chickpea Kale Salad. It's like a fresh burst of flavor that complements this easy weeknight dinner beautifully.
Choosing Your Perfect Pasta
Traditionally, this dish is made with gnocchi. However, if you can't find them or don't have any on hand, here are some other great options to consider-
I love using gnocchi because they do a beautiful job of embracing and holding onto the sauce and the texture is just fun to eat! But any of these pasta varieties would work for this dish -
- Rigatoni
- Spaghetti
- Shells
- Manicotti Tubes
- Cannelloni
- Penne
- Paccheri
- Orecchiette
- Spirals
- Ravioli would also go wonderfully with this sauce combo!
What Will Thicken Pasta Sauce?
It’s important to thicken your pasta sauce so it gets nice and sticky to the pasta itself. Personally, I add just enough liquid to the grated parmesan ratio, which doesn't really require a thickener. However, if you find that your sauce is too thin, I love using arrowroot starch (which is a great gluten-free option). However, if you don’t have this on hand, using other subs like all-purpose flour, regular cornstarch, or tapioca flour work just fine.
Just be sure to always stir your thickener with warm water until it becomes a ‘milky’ liquid before adding it to the sauce OR you can add the dry thickener to your skillet with the seasonings, right before adding the liquids, whisking until smooth and thickened.
What White Wine is Best in Pasta?
I tend to use a lot of white cooking wine, which is easiest for me. However, I do occasionally add quality white wine to my dishes and I recommend using a dry white wine.
A dry white wine will add the right amount of acidity rather than sweetness, which will better compliment your dish like this Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Kale Pasta. In general, any of the following dry white wines work great in this dish:
Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, and dry sparkling wines.
Common Q + A's for Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi
Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
To re-heat, simply microwave for a minute or two or add to a skillet over medium-high heat and stir until heated through. You may need to add ¼-1/2 cup of veggie stock or heavy cream to make things creamy while reheating.
To make this dish dairy-free + vegan, substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream/milk, butter with vegan butter, and parmesan cheese with dairy-free parmesan or cheese shreds.
To make this creamy gnocchi GF-friendly, simply substitute the gnocchi with a gluten-free version and ensure that other ingredients are GF-friendly and you use GF bread on the side, if using.
Basically, gnocchi are a type of pasta consisting of soft, fat and chewy dumplings. Traditionally, it's made of semolina or plain wheat flour, egg, and mashed potato.
More Creamy Pasta Recipes You'll Love!
If you are a fan of this Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi, then you will also love these recipes for the entire family:
- Creamy Salmon Alfredo Pasta
- Weeknight Tomato Kale Ravioli Bake
- Southern-Style Cajun Pasta with Pecan Breadcrumbs
- Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta
- Walnut Pesto Bucatini Pasta
- Creamy Roasted Garlic Kale Pasta
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you.
Creamy Lemon Herb Butter Gnocchi
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz.) package potato gnocchi, homemade or store-bought (I like to use Delallo foods)
CREAMY LEMON HERB BUTTER SAUCE:
- 6 Tbsps unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsps organic all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups organic heavy cream
- 1 cup organic vegetable stock
- 2 Tbsps white cooking wine (You can sub with veggie stock)
- 1 lemon, freshly-squeezed
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 1 cup freshly-grated parmesan cheese (You can also use freshly-grated mozzarella)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dill
Instructions
BOIL THE GNOCCHI:
- In a medium-sized pot (or deep skillet) over medium high-heat, fill it with water about ¾ of the way. Once boiling, add the gnocchi and let it boil for 4-5 minutes or until all gnocchi begins to float at the top. Remove from heat, drain, and set aside.
TO MAKE THE CREAMY SAUCE:
- In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add the butter. Once melted, add the garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute or so, until fragrant.
- Add the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, parsley, oregano, basil, thyme, and dill, stirring until combined. Add in the flour, stirring to combine.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly add in the heavy cream, stock, lemon juice, and white wine, stirring until combined. Let it slightly bubble for 1-2 minutes and then add in the grated parmesan, whisking until fully melted and sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Add in the lemon slices, stirring until combined and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. NOTE: The sauce should be thickened + velvety at this point.
- When the gnocchi is done, drain it and add it to the sauce, tossing until sauce fully coats + sticks to gnocchi.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately with additional grated parmesan and lemon slices atop, if desired.
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. To re-heat, simply microwave for a minute or two or add to a skillet over medium-high heat and stir until heated through. You may need to add ¼-1/2 cup of veggie stock or heavy cream to make things creamy while reheating.
- GREENS: To add a bit more flavor (and color) to this dish, you can always feel free to add in your favorite greens such as kale, spinach, brussels sprouts, collards, or asparagus.
- MEAT OPTION: If you'd like to switch things up and aren't restrictive to non-meat, feel free to add chicken breasts, salmon, shrimp, or lobster to this pasta for extra decadence. You can also enjoy this dish entirely meatless.
- PASTA: You can use long pastas like Tagliatelle, Pappardelle, Fettuccine, etc. however, I would recommend tossing with tongs to ensure that pasta is fully manageable and fully coated. Otherwise, other pastas such as Penne, Rigatoni, Paccheri, Orecchiette, etc. are perfect.
- VEGAN OPTION: See the FAQ section for info!
- GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: See the FAQ section for info!
Nutrition
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