Lemon Parmesan Gnocchi

Lemon Parmesan Gnocchi is a creamy pasta dish that combines the pillowy softness of potato gnocchi with the bright, zesty flavors of lemon. This dish is pure comfort food!

The Best Lemon Parmesan Gnocchi Recipe

This creamy Lemon Parmesan Gnocchi recipe is seriously so easy to whip up and so amazingly flavorful! It has a flavorful, creamy sauce that is comforting but also brightened by the lemon juice and zest. This dish is elevated enough to impress guests at a dinner party, but down to earth enough to satisfy even the pickiest eaters at the dinner table.

Gnocchi itself is chewy and tender, and will soak up some of that tangy, creamy sauce. If you have never cooked with gnocchi, it is super easy to find at the store and takes no time to cook! If you’re feeling adventurous make my homemade gnocchi with leftover mashed potatoes! It’s so easy to make and tastes a lot better than store-bought! From start to finish, you can have this creamy gnocchi dish on the table in just 20 minutes!

Ingredients Needed

• Gnocchi: Store-bought gnocchi is great here, or make it homemade! It is easy to find in the pasta aisle of the grocery store if you prefer store-bought.
• Olive Oil: A little olive oil will start the flavor building process and help sauté the aromatics!
• Onion & Garlic: Onion and garlic are the basic aromatics that help start building loads of flavor.
• Chicken Broth: Chicken broth is the base of the sauce and turns super creamy with some heavy cream and parm!
• Heavy Cream: Adds a richness and creaminess to the sauce! You can also use half and half if you have that. The sauce will just be a bit thinner.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan is best so that is melts seamlessly into the sauce!
• Lemon: You will need both lemon zest and lemon juice for the most amount of lemon flavor!
• Parsley: Fresh parsley brightens up the dish! You could also use some basil instead.

How to Make lemon parmesan gnocchi

1. Sauté Onions & Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add in onions and sauté for 4-5 minutes or until they start to turn golden brown. Add in garlic and cook for another minute.
2. Make Sauce: Stir in chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze it. Add in heavy cream and lemon zest. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.
3. Add Gnocchi: Add in the gnocchi and cook for 2-3 more minutes to head up the gnocchi and cook through.

4. Add Lemon & Parsley: Turn off the heat and stir in the juice of half a lemon, fresh chopped parsley and season the dish with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve: Serve immediately with extra parmesan cheese for serving, if desired. Enjoy!

kelley’s Tips for Success

• For a vegetarian lemon parmesan gnocchi, replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth!
• Cooking time will vary based on the kind of gnocchi you are cooking with! Frozen gnocchi will take a little bit longer to heat all the way through. But in general, gnocchi doesn’t take too long to cook.
• Serve your lemon parmesan gnocchi with a little extra dusting of lemon zest for an extra kick of tangy lemon flavor! It also makes a pretty presentation!
• Add a protein! Serve this parmesan lemon gnocchi with sautéed chicken or salmon for added protein.

More Pasta Recipes to Try

• Crispy Parsley Pesto Gnocchi
• Pesto Risotto
• Lemon Spinach Orzo
• Mushroom Spinach Pasta
• Tortellini Alfredo