Pan-Fried Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce

I’m sure you will agree that pan-fried gnocchi with tomato sauce is just like a faster version of baked pasta.

The thing is that store-bought gnocchi can just be browned in a pan for a fun mix of crunchy exteriors and chewy middles. The fun part is that no boiling is required.

This dish happens to be studded with juicy tomatoes and melty pockets of mozzarella.

Compared to the larger, more watery varieties such as heirloom and beefsteak, I believe that cherry tomatoes are reliably more delicious throughout the year.

You can always add ½ teaspoon of sugar if you taste yours, and they are more tart than sweet.

After that, just toss the tomatoes with browned butter, red pepper flakes, and garlic, then hit them with a little heat, which will make them burst into a bright sauce.

Proceed to stir in the gnocchi, dot with mozzarella, and then broil until the cheese is molten and the tomatoes are blistered in spots.

What Are Gnocchi?

Gnocchi are just small dumplings, and they are normally treated like pasta, boiled, and tossed with a sauce.

They are an Italian peasant food that was much loved throughout the country instead of belonging to one region or city.

You only need minimal ingredients to make them, and that’s usually ricotta, flour, and potatoes. Luckily, the process for making them is simple.

Gnocchi are mostly formed using a fork to create the characteristic ridges that sauces stick to, but they can also be smooth.

About the Recipe

Well, if you’ve never had gnocchi, as previously mentioned, they are little potato dumplings that came from Italy.

As you know, you can make gnocchi on your own at home or just proceed to purchase them from the grocery store in the pasta aisle.

With this delicious combination of flavors, you can quickly enhance your store-bought gnocchi.

I consider it to be a perfect way to serve a fulfilling meal when time is limited or just when you would rather spend your time socializing instead of being in the kitchen cooking.

And for the homemade tomato sauce, it is certainly the perfect pairing. This is a dish that an entire family can enjoy.

The crunchy gnocchi, combined with the burst of sweetness from cherry tomatoes, is what both adults and children can enjoy.

Why You Will Love Pan-Fried Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce Recipe

Simple to Make

This dish is quite simple yet tasty, and it can be whipped up in a matter of minutes, which makes it perfect for people with busy evenings.

In addition, this is an ideal recipe for first-time cooks. This is so because the steps are straightforward, and it does result in a tasty and impressive dish.

It is simple enough for a simple midweek meal or grand enough for a special dinner.

Crispy

This process of pan frying the gnocchi does result in a satisfying slight crunch on the exterior while also keeping it soft and pillowy in the interior.

This cooking technique elevates the flavor of the gnocchi, which makes each bite a perfect combo of textures.

Customizable

You can easily customize this recipe to your preference, which means you can make this recipe your own just by adding your favorite veggies, proteins, or herbs.

The interesting part of this is that you can pair gnocchi with several ingredients; that way, you will have the option to get creative with it.

Crispy Gnocchi with Burst Tomatoes and Mozzarella

This easy and amazingly flavorful pan-fried gnocchi with tomato sauce recipe combines pillowy soft gnocchi with sweet cherry tomatoes, savory garlic, and fresh basil.

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 (12 to 18 ounces) packages of shelf-stable or refrigerated potato gnocchi
• ¼ cup of unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as required
• 8 ounces of fresh mozzarella, cut or torn into ½-inch pieces
• ¼ cup of thinly sliced or torn basil leaves (optional), plus more for serving
• 2 pints of small tomatoes, such as grape, cherry, or Sungold
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• Kosher salt and black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes, plus more for serving

Laid-Out Instructions

• First, you are to heat the broiler with a rack around 6 inches from the heat source.
• After that, proceed to get a large (12-inch) skillet and place it on the stovetop, then heat enough olive oil in it to lightly coat the bottom of the pan over medium-high; around 1 tablespoon will do the trick. Afterward, add half the gnocchi to the pan and break up any that are stuck together. Cover it with a lid or baking sheet and cook until it turns golden brown on one side, which will take 2 to 4 minutes. Make sure it is undisturbed. You are to repeat this step with the remaining gnocchi and olive oil.
• That being done, add the butter to the skillet and cook over medium-high. Stir it often until it becomes golden brown and toasty, which will take around 1 to 2 minutes. Also add the garlic, red pepper flakes, 1 ½ teaspoons of salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Make sure you reduce the heat slightly if required in order to avoid scorching. Proceed to add the tomatoes and 3 tablespoons of water and cook until the tomatoes have softened and the liquid has slightly thickened, which will also take 4 to 6 minutes. Ensure that you shake the pan from time to time and smash the tomatoes as they burst to help them along.
• As the final step, add the seared gnocchi and ¼ cup of basil (if you use), stir to coat, then shake into an even layer. Proceed to top it with the mozzarella and spray it lightly with olive oil. Now, broil it until the cheese is melted and browned in spots, which will take 2 to 4 minutes, and top it with more basil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes as desired.

Recipes FAQs

Can I Reheat the Leftovers?

Well, I have done this several times. Just cover and microwave it for a few minutes on 80% power, or reheat it gently in a saucepan. However, keep in mind that the gnocchi will no longer be extremely crispy, but it will still taste flavorful.

As an alternative, you can just combine as much crunchy gnocchi with the sauce as you are going to eat right away. If you do it this way, just proceed to reheat any leftovers in a pan again with a little extra olive oil to get the gnocchi nice and crunchy again.

Can I Fry Gnocchi In My Air Fryer?

It might come as a surprise that you can also fry the gnocchi rather than pan-frying it.

To do this, proceed to spray your air fryer basket lightly with oil and put the gnocchi in the basket. After that, spray the gnocchi lightly with oil and air fry it at 390 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for about 15 minutes. Make sure you shake or turn the gnocchi halfway through cooking, and just give them another few minutes if it is not very crispy after 15 minutes. Then stir the gnocchi briefly into the tomato sauce and serve.

Conclusion

Remember that store-bought gnocchi normally store well in the refrigerator for some time, but make sure you check the use-by date.

As for the homemade cherry tomato sauce, it will last for up to 4 days in the fridge if you want to make it ahead. It will also freeze well in a tightly sealed container, which will last you for up to 3 months. You can always make double and freeze half for next time.

With that being said, this brings us to the end of this guide, as you now have the best recipe for pan-fried gnocchi with tomato sauce.