Gnocchi with Lighter Tomato Cream Sauce (gluten-free option)
This gnocchi with lighter tomato cream sauce only takes about 10 minutes to prepare and is so simple, quick and delicious.
I’ll get back to actual baked stuff next week, but for now, I just had to share this gnocchi with you.
Gnocchi is something I only discovered recently, and I love it. What I do not love is my failed attempt at making it. Many people say it’s really easy, but mine was a complete disaster. This recipe uses the kind you typically find in the refrigerated or frozen section.Â
This cream sauce recipe is so quick and easy that Mr. Texanerin made it for me.Â
I saw this lighter tomato cream sauce recipe a few weeks ago and sent it to Mr. Texanerin. Kind of as a joke. Kind of not.
But he actually made it for me a few days later.
Looking at the ingredients, you might never guess that this is so delicious. But it really is!
The red pepper flakes add just a little spiciness and the cream cheese? Wow.
I wish I had known about this cream cheese in pasta sauce business sooner! I’ve been missing out. I also recently made some healthier fettuccine alfredo with cream cheese, and that was pure heaven. I don’t often make sauces with heavy cream (not that I mind fat,) but I don’t see any reason to ever again.
Don’t like or can’t find or don’t want to make homemade gnocchi? Use pasta! 8 ounces will do it.
The recipe calls for crushed tomatoes, but if you have a lot of tomatoes to use up and you need to preserve them, here’s how to can tomatoes. Then you’ll have them on hand for whenever you’re in the mood for this gnocchi.
I hope you’ll enjoy the recipe! If you try it out, I’d love to hear how it goes in the comments below. Thank you!
Gnocchi with Lighter Tomato Cream Sauce (gluten-free option)
Ingredients
- 22 ounces (600 grams) gnocchi use gluten-free gnocchi if you're GF
- 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
- 4 teaspoons garlic minced
- 28 ounces (800 grams) canned crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes crushed
- 4 ounces (125 grams) cream cheese
- 1/4 cup (6 grams) fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup (25 grams) Parmesan or Pecorino Romano
Instructions
- Prepare the gnocchi according to the instructions on the package. For the kind I buy, all you do is put them in boiling water and let them boil about 2 minutes until they’re floating.22 ounces (600 grams) gnocchi
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the oil. Then add the garlic and stirring occasionally, cook for 2 minutes or until fragrant.1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil, 4 teaspoons garlic
- Stir in the can of crushed tomatoes, salt, and red pepper flakes and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.28 ounces (800 grams) canned crushed tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Add the cream cheese and basil, stir, and then add in the prepared gnocchi. Top with Parmesan and serve.4 ounces (125 grams) cream cheese, 1/4 cup (6 grams) fresh basil leaves, 1/4 cup (25 grams) Parmesan
Notes
- The nutrition information provided is calculated as a courtesy and is only an estimate. I am not a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. For the most accurate nutritional data, consult a professional or use your preferred calculator.
- Adapted from Cooking Light.
Do you have any recommendations for store bought gnocchi?
I wish I did but I live in Germany so unfortunately I’m no help. All of the refrigerated ones here are awesome and weirdly enough, the ones at Aldi are my favorite (though I’m sure the ones at Aldi in the US are different). Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful!
Made this tonight….quick, easy and OMG soooooo good!! Thanks so much for posting this!!!
There are few things I love more than gnocchi. Can’t wait to try it with a light-ish cream sauce. Mmmmmm!!!
I agree with you making gnocchi is not as easy as it seems. Ironically the first time I made it years ago was perfection the rest disasters so I gave up. Your Mister did a great job with this vibrant and flavorful looking sauce.
Love gnocchi! Wonder what would happen if I sent this to my husband. He would probably say – "yeah, looks good, when are we having it for dinner." :)
Love gnocchi and that tomato cream sauce sounds incredible! This is a perfect weeknight meal!
I really like the simplicity of this dish. Simple is often best. I haven't had gnocchi in for ever but maybe now I will :-)
I can already tell I am going to be obsessed with this. That photo is perfect!
Thanks, Jessica! :) And this sauce is a good thing to be obsessed with. Better to be obsessed with tomato sauce than the bacon beer bread I'm about to post. ;)
My kids adore gnocchi. It's such a fun and fast dinner idea and so good with a cream sauce:)
I love them with any kind of sauce! I wish my mom would have introduced me to gnocchi. You're a good mom. :D
Oh yummy! I've never attempted making gnocchi, probably because I quite like the store-kind ;)
Hehe. I know, right? Why bother?! But I guess there are people out there who say, "Who bother with making a cake? Cookies? Brownies? The ones at the store are fine!"
Nice! This takes me back to a vacation in Rome :) Definitely worth a place in my weekly repertoire of family meals. So easy to make and so delicious to eat! Gnocchi is such a joy to eat – whether pre-made or homemade (but I usually reserve home made for weekend projects!).
Ah, Rome. I've never been there. I've been to Tuscany twice and LOVE it but I've heard so many mixed things about Rome. I suppose I need to go and find out for myself!
Just got home from work and I am hungry. Now I am even more hungry after reading your post and admiring this dish. Gnocchi are my favorite pasta dish and your sauce is perfection.
Thank you, Lisa! I think gnocchi might be my favorite pasta now too. So easy to make and ah… those little pillows of goodness! Yum. :)
Mmm, this looks awesome! And I cant wait to hear the news about the hubs! On the edge of my seat now haha! In the meantime, Ill go make me some of this pasta!
Haha. I think you might actually already know what he's up to! If not, I really need to catch up with our emailing. Yikes.
I love gnocchi! I'm always looking for new recipes to go with it and this looks great, I love that you use cream cheese in the sauce too :) I have made my own gnocchi, but most of the time I need a quick dinner and they're way too fiddly so I end up buying it! Definitely be having a gnocchi night here soon! :)
I love the word fiddly. :D I hope you can try out this recipe. It's quick and easy and super yummy. :)
I've had great luck with Michael Chiarello's recipe. I wasn't much of a fan of gnocchi until I tasted his version and now his is the only one I use (posted on the blog). That said, if I can save myself the time of making them and end up with these, I'm all for it. Love the sauce. :)
Oh! I'll check out that recipe. Thanks for the tip. :) I'm not against homemade gnocchi… just scared of it! But if you say it works, I'll try. :D
Yum! I just made some homemade gnocchi over the weekend, and this will be the perfect complement! Thanks for sharing :)
Ooh, homemade gnocchi! I'm jealous. I hope you try and like this sauce. :)
I have yet to make gnocchi. What's up with that? Your version looks absolutely delish!
Eh, the stuff in the bag is cool. But you have to try the sauce! It's sooo yummy.