30-Minute Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata Recipe
This 30 Minute Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata is a comforting and elegant Italian-inspired dish featuring pillowy gnocchi simmered in a luscious, garlicky cherry tomato sauce enriched with heavy cream and topped with creamy burrata cheese and fresh basil. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal that feels special.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
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, plus some reserved for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. While waiting, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Increase the heat to medium, add the cherry tomatoes, and cook, stirring occasionally, until most tomatoes break down and the mixture becomes thick and jammy, approximately 10 to 12 minutes. If the garlic begins to burn, lower the heat back to medium-low. Season the sauce with red pepper flakes if using, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream to create a creamy tomato sauce.
- Cook the Gnocchi: Once the water reaches a boil, add the gnocchi and cook according to package instructions until they are al dente, typically 2 to 3 minutes or until they float to the surface. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Drain the gnocchi well.
- Combine Gnocchi and 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 the fresh basil while reserving some leaves for garnish.
- Add Burrata and Garnish: Break the burrata balls into pieces and scatter them evenly over the gnocchi. Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with the reserved basil leaves and serve immediately to enjoy the creamy, fresh flavors at their best.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to help thicken and bind the sauce to the gnocchi.
- If you prefer less spicy, omit the red pepper flakes.
- Fresh burrata adds creaminess; if unavailable, fresh mozzarella can be substituted.
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor and vibrant color.
- Cooking times for gnocchi may vary slightly depending on the brand; cook until they float to the top.
Keywords: creamy tomato gnocchi, burrata, Italian gnocchi recipe, quick dinner, cherry tomato sauce, vegetarian pasta dish
