Name: Easy Gnocchi with Pink Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 32 oz. large package potato gnocchi; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tsp minced garlic; 1 28 oz can whole tomatoes, drained; 1 6 oz can tomato paste; 1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning; 1 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp sugar; 4 oz cream cheese; 1/2 cup half and half; fresh basil; Grated Parmesan cheese (to taste)

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Easy gnocchi with pink sauce in a white serving bowl

One of my daughter’s favorite meals at our local Italian restaurant is gnocchi with pink sauce. Only lately, they seem to be out of it as often as they have it. (Which is sort of confounding. I mean neither component of the meal is complicated.)

And, in recent months the price has skyrocketed. I know everyone is affected by inflation. But this simple pasta dish used to be $12.95. Now it’s $18.50. And the serving size that used to be enough to feed my family (or at least my daughter for three generous meals) is now barely enough for one meal.

I’m not cheap, by any means. But paying for pasta out has always kind of bugged me. And now it really bugs me.

So, what’s a girl to do? Make her favorite gnocchi with pink sauce at home, of course!

Why You’ll Love It:

Gnocchi with pink sauce is comfort in a dish. Those little pillowy potato-filled pastas are filling and fun to eat. I can still remember the first place I ever had gnocchi. (RIP Sam’s Tavern in Lincoln Park).

The sauce is a lovely mix of tomato and cream. It starts with a can of whole tomatoes. Why whole you ask? Because they just taste better. I find that whole tomatoes have the freshest taste. And they are the least acidic. And they have the fewest addd ingredients. It seriously takes 1 minute to puree them in the blender, so I always go for whole tomatoes when I can.

In any case, the combination of cream cheese and half and half brings a nice richness to the dish and cuts the acidity go the tomatoes even further.

Gnocchi with pink sauce is a simple but satisfying dish sure to delight all kinds of taste buds.

How to Make Gnocchi with Pink Sauce:

Overhead shot of gnocchi with pink sauce

The first step in making gnocchi with pink sauce is to get the tomatoes ready So we’ll start by place draining and pureeing a 28 oz can of whole tomatoes. I always pick San Marzano tomatoes when I can. Just pop them in the blender and puree. Set aside.

Then prepare gnocchi according to directions on package. You’ll want to use a large stock pot for this. Usually, gnocchi only takes about 3-4 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in large saucepan. When the oil is hot, add 1 teaspoon of garlic and sauté for 1 minute. You want to watch it closely so the garlic doesn’t burn.

Then add the pureed tomatoes, together with 6 ounces tomato paste, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, and 1/2 pepper. Bring to a simmer. The sugar reduces the acidity in the potatoes too.

When the pot is simmering, add 4 ounces of cream cheese, cut into bite-sized pieces. The reduce heat to low and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the cream cheese is melted.

While stirring continuously, add the 1/2 cup of half and half. Continue cooking on low heat for an additional 10 minutes.

Drain the gnocchi ad transfer to a bowl. Pour the pink sauce over cooked gnocchi, tossing until well coated.

Garnish gnocchi with pink sauce with basil and grated parmesan cheese. Sometimes my kids add some garlic salt too.

Easy gnocchi with pink sauce in white bowl with bread

Enjoy!

Gnocchi with pink sauce pairs perfectly with some crusty bread and a fresh salad. You could also add some broccoli or spinach if you wanted some more greens. And meat lovers would love the addition of a meatball or a piece of chicken. You could even mix some rotisserie chicken into the gnocchi.

For a fancy dinner, serve with a nice red one. I’d suggest a pinot noir.

Happy Eating!