Apr 16, 2024, Updated Oct 22, 2024 Tomato sauce? Cream sauce? You don’t have to chooooooose. This easy gnocchi sauce recipe combines both to make the perfect, luscious partner for pillowy-soft potato gnocchi. Have this bowl of comfort food on the table in less that 20 minutes – creamy, silky and made with the most basic ingredients; you’re going to love it.
Substitutions and Variations
Check out how to change up the ingredients:
Ingredients
These ingredients are the good old faithfuls you likely already have at home:
Butter: Go for unsalted butter to have better control over the saltiness of the dish. Garlic: Fresh minced garlic provides a robust flavor base. Heavy cream: Look for heavy cream with a high-fat content for a luxurious texture. Fresh cherry tomatoes: Using fresh tomatoes will add brightness and a touch of sweetness to the sauce. Cherry tomatoes offer a burst of flavor, while Roma or vine tomatoes provide a thicker consistency. If using cherry tomatoes, consider halving or quartering them for easier incorporation into the sauce. Finely-grated parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, savory flavor and helps thicken the sauce. Choose freshly grated Parmesan for the best taste and texture. Chives or parsley: Sprinkle them on top just before serving for a visually appealing presentation.
Shallots or onions: Replace or combine garlic with finely diced shallots or onions for a slightly sweeter and milder flavor profile. Butter/Oil: You can switch the butter out for olive oil if you prefer. Mascarpone cheese: Substitute heavy cream with mascarpone cheese for an even richer and creamier sauce. Mascarpone adds a luxurious texture and a subtle tanginess. Canned tomatoes: If fresh tomatoes are not available, canned diced tomatoes can be used. You can also experiment with different varieties like fire-roasted tomatoes for added depth of flavor. Fresh herbs: Instead of chives or parsley, try using other herbs like fresh basil, thyme, or oregano for a different flavor profile. Each herb will impart its unique aroma and taste to the dish. Grated cheese alternatives: While Parmesan is traditional, you can experiment with other hard cheeses such as Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano for a similar nutty flavor. Vegan cheese alternatives can also be used as a dairy-free option.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can prepare the gnocchi sauce ahead of time to streamline meal prep.
Large pot: To cook the gnocchi. Colander or sieve: To drain the gnocchi Saucepan: To cook the sauce in. Spoon: To stir the mixture.
Cook the gnocchi
Start by cooking the gnocchi in a large pot of salted boiling water over high heat.
Use the packaging instructions to direct you and drain the pillowy gnocchi once cooked.
Cook the sauce
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Next, add the freshly minced garlic and sauté it for about 1-2 minutes.
Stir in the tomatoes, salt and pepper. Cook the sauce until the tomatoes have softened and the butter starts to brown. This will take roughly 2 minutes.
Finally, pour in the heavy cream, and increase the heat to medium-high. Let the mixture come to a brisk simmer, then reduce heat back to low maintain a bare simmer until the tomatoes start to burst. Break the tomatoes apart by pressing on them with the flat side of a wooden spoon.
Finish the dish and serve
Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
Combine the gnocchi and the sauce, tossing until the gnocchi are evenly coated. Serve immediately, garnished with minced chives or parsley.
Follow the recipe instructions up to the point of adding the cooked gnocchi. Once the sauce is prepared, allow it to cool to room temperature.
Transfer the cooled sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 2 days.
To reheat and serve the sauce, heat it gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Freezing Gnocchi Sauce
While it’s possible to freeze the gnocchi sauce, the texture may change slightly upon thawing, due to the dairy and acidic tomato content.
If you choose to freeze the sauce, ensure it is completely cooled before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Seal the container tightly, label it with the date, and freeze for up to 1 month.
How to Serve this Gnocchi Sauce recipe
Serve it over pillows of classic potato gnocchi. For other gnocchi flavors, like pumpkin gnocchi or sweet potato gnocchi, a different sauce might be better, like Brown Butter Sage Sauce. You can also use this sauce to serve over any pasta or as a sauce for grilled chicken or steak. It deserves a light, fresh salad or a slice of crusty bread to mop up extra sauce!
Final Notes, Pro Tips + Science-Based Secrets
Here are my top tips for the best results with this creamy tomato sauce recipe:
Use room temperature ingredients, especially the butter and heavy cream, to ensure smooth emulsification and a creamy sauce. Cook the butter garlic mixture for a little longer: This will deepen the flavors further. Simmer don’t boil: To prevent the cream from curdling, avoid boiling it vigorously. To balance the sauce: If the saucetastes overly rich or a little too sweet, add a splash of lemon juice.
Just skimming through? Here’s what NOT to miss:
Other Pasta Sauces You’ll Love
Dreaming of creamy, cozy sauces with Italian flavors? Here are more to try:
Lobster Ravioli Sauce Seafood Pasta with Cream Sauce The Best Meat Sauce Recipe Brown Butter and Sage Sauce Garlic Butter Sauce Penne Pasta with Alfredo Sauce Beet Pasta Sauce
