Toasted gnocchi salad

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Toasted gnocchi salad with pine nuts and sun-dried tomatoes - this is a much lighter way to serve gnocchi, which can sometimes feel really heavy!

Ever since I discovered sauteed gnocchi, I’ve absolutely adored it. Gone are the days when I thought gnocchi was dense and tasteless – throw it in a pan to get it nice and toasty, and it becomes light and fluffy inside, with crispy bits outside. Heaven.

Of course, after you’ve toasted your gnocchi you’re still only half way there. Now comes the tricky bit – how to serve it?

Toasted gnocchi salad with pine nuts and sun-dried tomatoes - this is a much lighter way to serve gnocchi, which can sometimes feel really heavy!

Since gnocchi is pretty filling, I often find that putting a full sauce on top makes it feel a bit too heavy. Obviously I’m willing to make an exception for something like pizza gnocchi… but usually I’m looking for a lighter option.

Hence: toasted gnocchi salad!

No heavy sauce, just a few tasty ingredients that add heaps of flavour without making your gnocchi feel smothered.

Toasted gnocchi salad with pine nuts and sun-dried tomatoes - this is a much lighter way to serve gnocchi, which can sometimes feel really heavy!

As usual, I’ve called this a salad, but really it’s much more than that. It’s a collection of yummy bits, with a token bit of greenery to justify its name. A handful of pine nuts and fresh garlic get toasty alongside the gnocchi, and peppery rocket and juicy sun-dried tomatoes can be tossed through the gnocchi just before serving. A squeeze of lemon and a good pinch of black pepper are the only other things this gnocchi salad needs – apart from a few shavings of parmesan, if you’re so inclined (I am.).

All in, you can have this tasty lunch on the table in less than fifteen minutes. Not half bad.

Toasted gnocchi salad with pine nuts and sun-dried tomatoes - this is a much lighter way to serve gnocchi, which can sometimes feel really heavy!

Toasted gnocchi salad

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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 3
Calories:
Author: Becca Heyes

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 500 g gnocchi (~ 3 cups)
  • 3 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 3 tbsp pine nuts
  • Large handful fresh rocket (arugula)
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Black pepper
  • Vegetarian parmesan-style cheese, to serve (optional)

Instructions

  • Heat the butter and oil in a large frying pan, and add the gnocchi (in a single layer, if possible). Cook over a medium heat for around 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Add the garlic and pine nuts, and cook for a few more minutes, until the pine nuts are lightly toasted and the garlic is fragrant.
  • Toss the toasted gnocchi with the rocket, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and plenty of black pepper. Serve topped with shaved parmesan, if desired.

Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on your exact ingredients. Please calculate your own nutritional values if you require accuracy for health reasons.

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Gnocchi salad NI

Note: nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on exactly what ingredients you choose. Information above does not include parmesan shavings.

Toasted gnocchi salad with pine nuts and sun-dried tomatoes - this is a much lighter way to serve gnocchi, which can sometimes feel really heavy!Love quick and easy salads? You might also like my artichoke and feta quinoa salad:

Artichoke and feta quinoa salad

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26 Comments

  1. This is fantastic!!!! I love gnocchi! And roasting them is the only way I will eat them too! Never thought of pairing them with a salad! Love it!

  2. After learning how to properly pronounce it, I was desperate to order some gnocchi whilst in Italy. What came out was something very similar to this, except it had a mess of herbs on top and instead of pine nuts it had flaked almonds. Honestly, one of the nicest things I’ve eaten. So you have no idea how excited I was to see this recipe! Memories <3

  3. I’v e never had gnocchi quite like this before! What a great way to make a simple salad into something substantial enough to eat as a main course. Yay!

  4. How could you ever have thought my beloved gnocchi are tasteless? I love gnocchi and there are so many varieties! Yum!! Your recipe sounds wonderful — I’ve never thought of putting gnocchi in a salad but why not? They are excellent anywhere.