Main image of Creamy Red Pesto Gnocchi

View on phone

Creamy Red Pesto Gnocchi

25 min

Main

10 ingredients or less
This recipe marries the bold flavours of tomato and red pesto with the creamy texture of vegan cream cheese, creating a sauce that's both lush and tangy. With the foundation of umami from shallots and garlic, and a refreshing hit of lemon juice, the sauce perfectly complements the tender gnocchi. Each bite offers a balance of savoury depth and bright acidity, making for a dish that's rich in taste and satisfying in texture.

Servings

Total

25 min

Prep

10 min

Cook

15 min

Contains

Treenut symbol

tree nut

Gluten symbol

gluten

Free from

Soy symbol

soy

Peanut symbol

peanut

Sesame symbol

sesame

Ingredients

Tomato pesto sauce

  • ½ Tbsp (7 mL)
    vegetable oil
  • 1
    medium shallot, chopped
  • 2
    garlic cloves, minced
  • 1⅔ cups (400 g)
    canned whole peeled tomatoes
  • 3 Tbsp (48 g)
    vegan red pesto
  • ⅓ cup (80 g)
    plain vegan cream cheese
  • ¼ tsp
    salt
  • ⅛ tsp
    ground black pepper
  • ½
    lemon, juiced

Gnocchi

  • 5½ cups (704 g)
    uncooked vegan gnocchi
  • ½ Tbsp (7 mL)
    vegetable oil

Optional garnish

Directions

  1. Add the oil, shallots and garlic to a medium pot, and cook until lightly golden.
  2. Add the tomatoes and pesto, and cook for 5 - 8 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, cook the gnocchi according to the package instructions. For us this took 2 minutes. Then drain.
  4. Heat some oil a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the drained gnocchi to the pan and cook until lightly golden on the outside. Cook in batches if necessary to not over-crowd the pan.
  5. Returning to the sauce, add in the cream cheese, salt, and pepper. Use an immersion blender to blend until smooth*.
  6. Transfer the tomato sauce to the sauté pan containing the gnocchi. Squeeze over the lemon juice, and stir to coat.
  7. Plate, garnish as desired, and enjoy!

Notes

  • * Alternatively, blend in a standing blender.

Storage

  • The gnocchi is best enjoyed freshly made.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day - any longer and the gnocchi tends to become overly firm. Ideally, reheat in a pan with a splash of water to loosen the sauce and gnocchi up.
Print

Let us know what you think

Watch it step-by-step!

Plate method

The Plate Method is a visual tool that helps us ensure our dietary needs are on track. Touch the image below to see how this recipe measures up.

Grains & Starches 80%

• uncooked vegan gnocchi

Proteins 0%
Fruits & Veggies 20%

• medium shallot

• garlic clove

• canned whole peeled tomatoes

• lemon

Calcium
No significant sources of calcium
Fat

• vegetable oil

• plain vegan cream cheese

• vegetable oil

Nutrition info

Focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. Instead, our philosophy is to Nourish the Cells & the Soul. For specific nutrition needs due to a medical condition, consult a dietitian or physician. While we strive to provide accurate nutritional information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. See our disclaimer for details.

Show nutrition info  

More for the eyes

Process image of Creamy Red Pesto Gnocchi Process image of Creamy Red Pesto Gnocchi Process image of Creamy Red Pesto Gnocchi Process image of Creamy Red Pesto Gnocchi Process image of Creamy Red Pesto Gnocchi

Suggested recipes

Leave a comment

Rate this post

Emily - Oct. 5, 2024, 8:48 p.m.

LOVE the sauce - I make it with spaghetti too. I add some sundried tomato pieces to it, really delicious!

Reply
Chrysiida - Sept. 17, 2024, 2:39 p.m.

First time making gnocchi with a red sauce and though my father was cautious of how it would turn out, I loved the end result! I also hadn't tried red pesto before and I really liked it! I am definitely going to use it again in future recipes!

PUL small logo PUL Team - Sept. 17, 2024, 10:07 p.m.

Aw how exciting, Chrysiida, thanks for sharing your experience with the gnocchi with red pesto 🤗

Reply
Gaby - Sept. 1, 2024, 2:49 a.m.

This was my first time trying a recipe from the app and it was so good! I loved it❤️ the app is super user friendly, even the option to set up a timer is a nice detail to have 😄

Reply
Ira - June 10, 2024, 5:10 p.m.

Great recipe for a weekday dinner!
Thank you!

Reply
Rob - May 25, 2024, 9:26 p.m.

I needed a quick tea this evening, so thought we would try this. Finding gnocchi without milk took longer than cooking this! So quick and simple, but so tasty! I love that most of the ingredients can be store cupboard staples too. We had this with a salad for some greens and the two of us finished off the three portions, so good!

PUL small logo PUL Team - May 25, 2024, 9:35 p.m.

Hey Rob, thanks for taking the time to share your experience with the gnocchi! So glad that it was enjoyed with the salad 🤌

Reply
Regina Török - May 21, 2024, 9:57 p.m.

Tasty!

Reply
Renáta Varga - May 12, 2024, 1:20 p.m.

So easy to make ❤️ thank you

Reply
Nikos - May 10, 2024, 6:36 p.m.

Tasty and easy!

Reply
Kirsten - May 6, 2024, 8:52 p.m.

Super delicious gnocchi recipe! We’re not vegan, but we love this as a vegetarian option. We do use ‘normal’ gnocchi and pesto. But I don’t think it makes a big difference in taste. We will make this recipe again for sure!

Reply
Csenge Berta-Jenei - May 2, 2024, 12:43 p.m.

It was so delicious. I also threw in some sliced ​​grilled sausages, it was leftovers from the party. :)

Reply
Astrid - April 23, 2024, 5:54 p.m.

Made this recipe with normal pasta and gnocchi but I definitely recommend to use the gnocchi :)!!! Sauce is delicious.

Reply
Nova - April 22, 2024, 8:21 p.m.

Amazing flavour! ❤️ For protein I added red lentils which worked great. Next time I would also add some fresh crisp bell pepper or similar for some texture variety! 🫶🏻

PUL small logo PUL Team - April 22, 2024, 10:47 p.m.

Mmm love these ideas, Nova, thank you! ☺️

Reply
shawna - April 14, 2024, 8:51 p.m.

so saucy we loved it!!!

Reply
Martina - April 12, 2024, 7:53 p.m.

This recipe was sooo lovely! It's like the vegan version of "gnocchi alla sorrentina". I'll surely cook this again. :)

PUL small logo PUL Team - April 13, 2024, 4:37 a.m.

Yayy so happy to hear the gnocchi was enjoyed, Martina 😊

Reply
José - April 9, 2024, 6:50 p.m.

I LOVE it!!! The lemon really surprised me how well it tastes in this dish. And it is super easy too😍

Reply
Charlotte - April 8, 2024, 11:26 p.m.

This was an outstanding meal! Such a delicious yet straightforward recipe that didn't take long to make! There was the perfect ratio of sauce to gnocchi and frying them before adding to the sauce was the best tip ever.

PUL small logo PUL Team - April 8, 2024, 11:53 p.m.

So thrilled that you enjoyed the gnocchi, Charlotte!

Reply
bea - April 7, 2024, 6:52 p.m.

so so yummy!!

Reply
Nelleke - April 2, 2024, 10:12 p.m.

So good!

Reply
clara - April 2, 2024, 4:01 p.m.

SO YUMMYYY!!!

Reply
Joanna - April 2, 2024, 11:01 a.m.

I lovee it so much! This is awesome!

Reply
l. tien - March 31, 2024, 12:55 p.m.

My boyfriend and I loved this!

Reply
Kia - March 30, 2024, 8:14 p.m.

Absolutely delicious.
Can't find store bought vegan pesto here and being allergic to milk I made my own, using PUL recipe, but forgot basil so had to replace it with kale. Worked absolute wonders. Sauce is delicious. I need to work a bit on my gnocchi frying skills.
Leftover sauce for pizza or pasta.
Used Philadelphia plant based cheese, worked amazing.

PUL small logo PUL Team - April 1, 2024, 8:29 a.m.

So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Kia, and thanks a bunch for sharing your experience with it! 😊

Reply
Summer - March 30, 2024, 6:41 p.m.

I've never fried gnocchi before but I'm going to do it forever from now on! Loved how creamy the sauce was too! I'll be making this again for sure :D

PUL small logo PUL Team - March 31, 2024, 7:30 a.m.

Yayy so glad that you enjoyed it, Summer! Happy cooking 🫶

Reply
anke - March 30, 2024, 12:59 p.m.

So delicious!!!

Reply
Chris - March 29, 2024, 4:16 p.m.

So quick to make and so delicious I licked my plate clean, no shame.

Reply
Lise - March 28, 2024, 6:34 p.m.

This seems like a great recipe! Which cream cheese do you use/recommend? I'm from the Netherlands and I think you live there too. :)

PUL small logo PUL Team - March 29, 2024, 4:15 p.m.

Hey Lise, we use the Violife brand (Creamy Original). I hope you enjoy the recipe if you give it a try!

Reply