Description
A comforting and creamy tomato and mascarpone gnocchi dish featuring tender broccoli, fresh cherry tomatoes, and aromatic basil, all cooked together in a skillet for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 small head of broccoli, stalk and florets roughly chopped
- 1 red chilli, finely chopped, deseeded if preferred
- 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
- 200g fresh cherry tomatoes, halved
- small handful of basil leaves, picked
Dairy & Dairy Alternatives
- 25g mascarpone
Other Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 300g chilled gnocchi
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Place 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, deep frying pan and warm it over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the vegetables.
- Cook broccoli: Add the roughly chopped broccoli stalk and florets to the pan and fry for 5 minutes until they turn golden brown, developing a tender yet slightly crispy texture.
- Add aromatics and tomatoes: Stir in the finely chopped red chilli and sliced garlic cloves, then add the halved fresh cherry tomatoes. Gently fry the mixture for another 5 minutes until the tomatoes burst, releasing their juices and forming a rich sauce.
- Cook gnocchi: Add the 300 grams of chilled gnocchi to the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi are tender, heated through, and coated with the tomato sauce.
- Finish with mascarpone and seasoning: Stir in 25 grams of mascarpone cheese to create a creamy texture. Season the dish generously with black pepper to taste.
- Serve with basil: Scatter the fresh basil leaves over the gnocchi just before serving to add a fragrant, fresh finish to the dish.
Notes
- Deseeding the chilli reduces heat for a milder dish.
- Using fresh gnocchi improves texture and flavor compared to dried.
- Adjust seasoning with salt along with black pepper if desired.
- For a vegan version, substitute mascarpone with a plant-based cream alternative.
- The recipe cooks quickly, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: gnocchi, creamy tomato sauce, mascarpone, broccoli, Italian, quick dinner, stovetop, easy recipe
