Minute Garlic Butter Gnocchi Skillet Easy Dinner Delight

ByJasmine September 16, 2025September 16, 2025

$- 1 package (16 oz) gnocchi (store-bought or homemade) - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - 4 cloves garlic, minced Gnocchi is the star of this dish. You can use store-bought or make your own. The texture is soft and pillowy, perfect for soaking up flavors. Unsalted butter gives a rich taste. It helps the garlic shine through. Garlic, when minced, adds great depth. - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 2 cups fresh spinach Red pepper flakes bring heat. You can skip them if you prefer. Cherry tomatoes add sweetness and color. When cooked, they become juicy and tender. Fresh spinach adds a nice green touch. It wilts down quickly, adding nutrition. - Salt and pepper to taste - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional) Salt and pepper enhance all flavors. Use them to taste. Grated Parmesan melts beautifully, creating a creamy finish. Fresh basil offers a burst of freshness. It’s a lovely addition on top. To start, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. This step is key. Once the water is bubbling, add the gnocchi. Cook them as directed on the package, usually for 2-3 minutes. You know they are ready when they float to the top. After they float, drain the gnocchi in a colander and set them aside. This keeps them warm and ready for the sauce. Next, grab a large skillet and set it over medium heat. Add 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter and let it melt. Watch closely; we want it melted, not browned. Once the butter is melted, toss in 4 minced garlic cloves and red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. Sauté for just 1-2 minutes until the garlic smells amazing. This step brings out the garlic's flavor without burning it. Now, it’s time to bring in the cherry tomatoes. Add 1 cup of halved tomatoes to the skillet. Cook them for another 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften. This adds a burst of flavor to your dish. After that, toss in the cooked gnocchi. Stir everything well to coat the gnocchi in that rich garlic butter. Let it cook for an extra 2 minutes to warm through. To finish, add 2 cups of fresh spinach to the skillet. Stir until the spinach wilts down. This adds color and nutrition. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Now, remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese on top. Gently mix until the cheese melts and sticks to the gnocchi. Serve your dish hot and consider garnishing with fresh basil leaves for a lovely touch. Enjoy your meal! You can choose between store-bought or homemade gnocchi. Store-bought is quick and easy. Homemade gnocchi gives a special touch. If you want to make your own, mix mashed potatoes, flour, and egg. Roll it into small pieces. To cook gnocchi, boil salted water. Add gnocchi and wait until they float. This shows they are done. Drain them well to keep the texture right. You can add flavors with herbs and spices. Try thyme, oregano, or parsley for a twist. Red pepper flakes add heat, but skip them if you prefer mild. Always taste and adjust. Add more salt or pepper if needed. A hint of lemon can brighten the dish, too. Prep ingredients ahead to save time. Chop garlic and halve tomatoes before cooking. This way, you can cook quickly. Use one skillet for the whole dish. It reduces cleanup time. Just cook the garlic, add tomatoes, and then the gnocchi. It all comes together in one pan. {{image_2}} You can change up the greens in your gnocchi dish. Kale and arugula work well too. They add a nice crunch and flavor. Seasonal vegetables can also make this meal special. Try zucchini in summer or butternut squash in fall. You can mix and match based on what you like or what’s fresh at the market. Adding protein makes the dish hearty. Cooked chicken or shrimp are great choices. Simply toss them in when you add the gnocchi. For a vegetarian option, try chickpeas or white beans. Both add texture and protein without meat. This keeps the dish filling and satisfying. You can enhance the taste with different cheeses. Besides Parmesan, try feta for a tangy twist. Goat cheese adds creaminess that pairs well too. Other sauce options include alfredo or pesto. Alfredo is rich and creamy, while pesto brings a fresh, herby flavor. Experiment with these to find your favorite. To store your leftover gnocchi, place it in an airtight container. This helps keep it fresh. Make sure to cool it down to room temperature first. Refrigerate the container for up to two days. If you have a lot, divide it into smaller portions. This way, you can grab just what you need. To reheat the gnocchi, use a skillet on medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking. Stir gently until warmed through. You can also use a microwave. Place it in a bowl, cover it, and heat for 1-2 minutes. Check if it's hot throughout. Always ensure food is heated to at least 165°F for safety. Yes, you can freeze the gnocchi. To freeze, let it cool completely. Spread it out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Label it with the date. When you're ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Reheat as mentioned above for best results. This dish is quick and easy. It takes about 15 minutes to make. The prep time is only 5 minutes. Cooking the gnocchi takes 2-3 minutes. The rest of the steps take about 10 minutes. Yes, you can use different cheeses. Mozzarella or feta are great choices. For a stronger taste, try aged cheddar or gouda. Just remember to adjust the amount based on the cheese's strength. This recipe is great for meal prep. You can cook the gnocchi and sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge. Reheat them when you are ready to eat. It keeps well for about 3 days. You can serve this gnocchi with many sides. A fresh salad pairs nicely. Garlic bread is a popular choice, too. You can also enjoy it with roasted vegetables or grilled chicken for a heartier meal. This blog post explored the simple yet delightful recipe for Minute Garlic Butter Gnocchi. You learned about the key ingredients, like gnocchi, garlic, and butter, plus optional flavors like cherry tomatoes and spinach. I shared step-by-step instructions for cooking and tips for enhancing this dish. Remember, you can customize it with different veggies or proteins. It’s easy to store and reheat, making it a perfect meal prep option. Try this recipe, and enjoy a tasty, quick dinner any night!$

Looking for a quick and tasty dinner? This Minute Garlic Butter Gnocchi Skillet is your answer! In just a few simple steps, you can enjoy a delicious meal full of flavors. With soft gnocchi and rich garlic butter, it’s a dish you’ll love. Plus, you can easily customize it with veggies, meats, and spices. Let’s dive into this easy delight that will impress any dinner guest!

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1 package (16 oz) gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced

Gnocchi is the star of this dish. You can use store-bought or make your own. The texture is soft and pillowy, perfect for soaking up flavors. Unsalted butter gives a rich taste. It helps the garlic shine through. Garlic, when minced, adds great depth.

Optional Ingredients

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups fresh spinach

Red pepper flakes bring heat. You can skip them if you prefer. Cherry tomatoes add sweetness and color. When cooked, they become juicy and tender. Fresh spinach adds a nice green touch. It wilts down quickly, adding nutrition.

Seasoning and Garnish

Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

Salt and pepper enhance all flavors. Use them to taste. Grated Parmesan melts beautifully, creating a creamy finish. Fresh basil offers a burst of freshness. It’s a lovely addition on top.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cooking the Gnocchi

To start, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. This step is key. Once the water is bubbling, add the gnocchi. Cook them as directed on the package, usually for 2-3 minutes. You know they are ready when they float to the top. After they float, drain the gnocchi in a colander and set them aside. This keeps them warm and ready for the sauce.

Preparing the Garlic Butter Sauce

Next, grab a large skillet and set it over medium heat. Add 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter and let it melt. Watch closely; we want it melted, not browned. Once the butter is melted, toss in 4 minced garlic cloves and red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. Sauté for just 1-2 minutes until the garlic smells amazing. This step brings out the garlic’s flavor without burning it.

Combining Ingredients

Now, it’s time to bring in the cherry tomatoes. Add 1 cup of halved tomatoes to the skillet. Cook them for another 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften. This adds a burst of flavor to your dish. After that, toss in the cooked gnocchi. Stir everything well to coat the gnocchi in that rich garlic butter. Let it cook for an extra 2 minutes to warm through.

Final Touches

To finish, add 2 cups of fresh spinach to the skillet. Stir until the spinach wilts down. This adds color and nutrition. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Now, remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese on top. Gently mix until the cheese melts and sticks to the gnocchi. Serve your dish hot and consider garnishing with fresh basil leaves for a lovely touch. Enjoy your meal!

Tips & Tricks

Making the Perfect Gnocchi

You can choose between store-bought or homemade gnocchi. Store-bought is quick and easy. Homemade gnocchi gives a special touch. If you want to make your own, mix mashed potatoes, flour, and egg. Roll it into small pieces.

To cook gnocchi, boil salted water. Add gnocchi and wait until they float. This shows they are done. Drain them well to keep the texture right.

Enhancing the Flavor

You can add flavors with herbs and spices. Try thyme, oregano, or parsley for a twist. Red pepper flakes add heat, but skip them if you prefer mild.

Always taste and adjust. Add more salt or pepper if needed. A hint of lemon can brighten the dish, too.

Time-Saving Suggestions

Prep ingredients ahead to save time. Chop garlic and halve tomatoes before cooking. This way, you can cook quickly.

Use one skillet for the whole dish. It reduces cleanup time. Just cook the garlic, add tomatoes, and then the gnocchi. It all comes together in one pan.

Variations

Vegetable Additions

You can change up the greens in your gnocchi dish. Kale and arugula work well too. They add a nice crunch and flavor. Seasonal vegetables can also make this meal special. Try zucchini in summer or butternut squash in fall. You can mix and match based on what you like or what’s fresh at the market.

Protein Options

Adding protein makes the dish hearty. Cooked chicken or shrimp are great choices. Simply toss them in when you add the gnocchi. For a vegetarian option, try chickpeas or white beans. Both add texture and protein without meat. This keeps the dish filling and satisfying.

Flavor Combinations

You can enhance the taste with different cheeses. Besides Parmesan, try feta for a tangy twist. Goat cheese adds creaminess that pairs well too. Other sauce options include alfredo or pesto. Alfredo is rich and creamy, while pesto brings a fresh, herby flavor. Experiment with these to find your favorite.

Storage Info

Storing Leftovers

To store your leftover gnocchi, place it in an airtight container. This helps keep it fresh. Make sure to cool it down to room temperature first. Refrigerate the container for up to two days. If you have a lot, divide it into smaller portions. This way, you can grab just what you need.

Reheating Suggestions

To reheat the gnocchi, use a skillet on medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking. Stir gently until warmed through. You can also use a microwave. Place it in a bowl, cover it, and heat for 1-2 minutes. Check if it’s hot throughout. Always ensure food is heated to at least 165°F for safety.

Freezing Directions

Yes, you can freeze the gnocchi. To freeze, let it cool completely. Spread it out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Label it with the date. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Reheat as mentioned above for best results.

FAQs

How long does it take to make Minute Garlic Butter Gnocchi Skillet?

This dish is quick and easy. It takes about 15 minutes to make. The prep time is only 5 minutes. Cooking the gnocchi takes 2-3 minutes. The rest of the steps take about 10 minutes.

Can I use different types of cheese?

Yes, you can use different cheeses. Mozzarella or feta are great choices. For a stronger taste, try aged cheddar or gouda. Just remember to adjust the amount based on the cheese’s strength.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

This recipe is great for meal prep. You can cook the gnocchi and sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge. Reheat them when you are ready to eat. It keeps well for about 3 days.

What can I serve with garlic butter gnocchi?

You can serve this gnocchi with many sides. A fresh salad pairs nicely. Garlic bread is a popular choice, too. You can also enjoy it with roasted vegetables or grilled chicken for a heartier meal.

This blog post explored the simple yet delightful recipe for Minute Garlic Butter Gnocchi. You learned about the key ingredients, like gnocchi, garlic, and butter, plus optional flavors like cherry tomatoes and spinach. I shared step-by-step instructions for cooking and tips for enhancing this dish. Remember, you can customize it with different veggies or proteins. It’s easy to store and reheat, making it a perfect meal prep option. Try this recipe, and enjoy a tasty, quick dinner any night!