This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This one pan creamy tomato gnocchi recipe is easy comfort food at its best! It’s convenient since it’s ready in just 25 minutes, and you’ll agree it’s a restaurant quality dish.
Want a similar recipe without cream? Head on over to my Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce.
Why you’ll enjoy it
This gnocchi with a creamy tomato sauce is one of those recipes that takes a few everyday ingredients and transforms them into something special and elevated. It just tastes gourmet, yet it takes under half an hour to make in a single skillet. I find myself making it for guests constantly, because who doesn’t like easy clean-up?
It’s one of those recipes that makes a filling meatless main, and you definitely won’t feel like you’re missing out. This gnocchi that’s smothered in a tomato and white wine cream sauce is indulgent, and you can also serve it as a satisfying side dish.
What goes into it
- Olive oil – for sautéing
- Onion – we like using sweet Vidalia onions, but yellow or white will be fine
- White wine – use a dry variety that you’d actually enjoy drinking. Try sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, or even chardonnay (but definitely do not use cooking wine)
- Dijon mustard – it’s a flavor enhancer for more savory goodness and one of my favorite tricks for sauces
- Garlic – I use this garlic press to effortlessly mince the cloves without having to peel them
- Italian seasoning – a blend of fragrant dried herbs all in one jar
- Tomatoes – we’re using a can of diced tomatoes for the best texture and consistency. Find a brand you enjoy since it’s a key component. I like DeLallo and Muir Glen best.
- Heavy cream – to make the sauce extra luxurious
- Gnocchi – I use shelf stable gnocchi found in the dry pasta aisle of most grocery stores. It holds up well for this one pan method.
- Basil – for a pop of freshness, and it perfectly complements the pink sauce
One pan gnocchi tips
- Can I use homemade gnocchi? Homemade gnocchi is very delicate and may fall apart, so I don’t recommend using it in this recipe.
- Do I need to pre-cook the gnocchi? No. It cooks right in the sauce. In fact, the starch released as it cooks is a necessary part of thickening the sauce!
- Why isn’t my sauce thickening? The timing is a guideline, so if your pan or stove runs hot (e.g. gas stove), you may want to lower the heat a bit. If the sauce hasn’t thickened up enough, simply cook it for a bit longer.
How to make creamy tomato gnocchi
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
In a skillet, sauté the onion until softened. Stir in the white wine, Dijon mustard, garlic, and Italian seasoning until you’ve got a smooth mixture.
Add in the diced tomatoes, cream, and gnocchi. When it starts to bubble, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Give it a stir, and add in the fresh basil and salt & pepper. Let it cook until the sauce has thickened and the gnocchi is cooked through. Enjoy!
Substitutions and variations
- If you’re really not a fan, you can leave out or halve the Dijon mustard.
- You can sub the white wine for vegetable or chicken broth.
- Try stirring in some fresh spinach towards the end if you want to include some greens.
- I don’t recommend subbing the heavy cream for half-and-half or milk since acidity from tomatoes may curdle sauce, and it will end up less rich and possibly thinner.
What to serve with it
- It makes a great vegetarian main course. Try grating a generous amount of parmesan cheese on top and pair it with a slice of Garlic Bread and a side salad dressed up with this homemade Creamy Balsamic Dressing.
- If you’re serving it as a side dish, it goes really well with my Easy Baked Pork Tenderloin or Easy Roast Chicken (Lemon & Herb).
Leftovers and storage
- Leftovers will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container. Be mindful that as time goes on, the gnocchi will release more starch and thicken the sauce.
- When reheating, you can add in a splash more wine or cream to revive it. Reheat over a low heat in a saucepan until warmed through.
- I don’t recommend freezing this one. Cream sauces generally don’t have success in the freezer.
I hope you love this easy gnocchi recipe as much as I do! Made it? Let me know in the comments below, or tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram.
Creamy Tomato Gnocchi
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion chopped finely
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon dashes Italian seasoning
- 1 (14 fluid ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1 pound uncooked potato gnocchi
- 1 small handful fresh basil torn or chopped
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional) to taste
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to a skillet on medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for about 5 minutes (ok if it’s lightly browned).
- Add the white wine, Dijon mustard, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Stir until you’ve got a smooth mixture and let it cook for about a minute.
- Add the diced tomatoes, cream, and gnocchi. Wait until it starts to lightly bubble again, then reduce the heat to medium and cover for 5 minutes.
- Give it a good stir, and add the basil and season with salt & pepper. Let it cook for another couple minutes to ensure the gnocchi is fully cooked and the starch thickens the sauce up a bit more.
- Stir in parmesan (optional) or sprinkle it on top. Serve immediately.
Notes
- The gnocchi will cook right in the sauce – no need to cook it beforehand.
- This makes 4 reasonably sized portions. If you’re feeding extra hungry people, I recommend serving this with a salad, garlic bread, and/or something else. It would also make a great side dish.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.
This recipe was originally published on August 30, 2017. It’s been updated with new photos and better instructions but is the same great recipe!
My husband isn’t a fan of chunky tomatoes in sauce. Can I substitute tomato sauce for diced tomato?
That should be fine.
Is there a way to sub milk and half and half for the heavy cream? What would you suggest. It’s all I have on hand.
I’d suggest the half-and-half. I think it’ll be ok, but the sauce may end up a little thinner/less rich. Let me know if you try!
can you leave out the wine ?
Yes. I’d replace with chicken broth.
Made a double batch in a Dutch oven. Amazing! So creamy and flavorful… not to mention, super quick and easy. Will be making this again and again!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Laura!
First time making it, loooved it!
Wonderful! XO
I’ve made this probably 10 times, I feel bad I’m only just now leaving a comment. The recipe is so easy and it’s 5-star! The best gnocchi I’ve ever had. Every ingredient is essential, especially the mustard. I love love love it! I like to tear up a roto chicken and throw it in at the end.
Wow… 10x… that’s awesome!! Well, thank you for leaving me a comment haha. So glad you like it!! 🙂
This is so good!!! I used cauliflower gnocchi so I had to add some cornstarch to thicken the sauce, but I’ve made this multiple times and it’s always so good.
I am so happy to hear that, Moria! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
This is the first time we’ve ever cooked gnocchi at home and the taste of this dish beats any pasta dish I’ve had at an Italian restaurant. It was SO easy and fun to make! Thank you so much for the awesome recipe for our dinner tonight!
Ooh so glad to hear that, Jessica! 🙂
I made this a couple months ago and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since! My husband and I did the “food dance” when we tasted it. Way better than any restaurant Italian dish.
Do you think it could be made the same way with regular pasta or do you think it would take too long to cook in the sauce? Thanks!
“Food dance” ahhaha love it! I think that you’d probably have to partially cook the regular pasta first. Might be worth a try?
This goes beyond our stuff we usually make for our dinners, thought I would try something new tonight.. OMG!! Soo good! Tasted like something I would get at Olive Garden.. definitely goin to make again!
I am so happy you liked it, Whitney! Thank you for leaving me a sweet comment! 🙂