Savory Brown Butter Gnocchi with Broccolini and Pine Nuts
Indulge in the rich, nutty flavors of Savory Brown Butter Gnocchi, a delightful one-dish meal featuring tender vacuum-packed gnocchi, vibrant broccolini, and crunchy pine nuts. The gnocchi is generously coated in a luscious brown butter sauce, enhanced with sautéed garlic for depth, and balanced with a touch of heat from crushed red pepper flakes. This dish is not only quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights, but it's also incredibly satisfying — you can enjoy it as is, or elevate it further with the addition of savory Italian sausage if you desire. Serve it topped with freshly grated parmesan for an irresistible finish.
4
Servings
218
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Gnocchi
16 ounces (Vacuum-packed (Vigo or Gia Russa))
Unsalted Butter
4 tablespoons (Cut into cubes)
Pine Nuts
4 tablespoons (Raw)
Garlic
3 cloves (Minced)
Broccolini or Broccoli Rabe
3/4 lb (Trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1/4 teaspoon
Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup (Grated)
Instructions
1
In a large pot of boiling water, blanch the broccolini (or broccoli rabe) for 4 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove using a slotted spoon and transfer to a colander to drain well.
2
Cook the gnocchi according to package directions. Be sure to reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid before draining the gnocchi.
3
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and sauté them for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until the butter is lightly browned and the pine nuts are toasted.
4
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
5
Toss the drained broccolini/broccoli rabe and the cooked gnocchi into the skillet. Pour in the reserved cooking liquid, and season with salt and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
6
Remove from heat and generously sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese before serving. Enjoy your savory creation!
Nutrition Information
14g
Fat
20g
Carbs
6g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Brown Butter Gnocchi with Broccolini and Pine Nuts?
It is a quick and easy one-dish meal featuring vacuum-packed gnocchi, broccolini, and pine nuts in a rich brown butter and garlic sauce.
What kind of gnocchi should I use for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 16 ounces of vacuum-packed gnocchi, specifically mentioning brands like Vigo or Gia Russa.
How do I prepare the broccolini?
Trim the broccolini and cut it into 2-inch pieces, then blanch it in boiling water for 4 minutes until tender-crisp.
Can I substitute broccoli rabe for broccolini?
Yes, you can use 3/4 lb of either broccolini or broccoli rabe for this dish.
How long does it take to cook the gnocchi?
Cook the gnocchi according to the specific directions on the package.
Why should I reserve the cooking liquid from the gnocchi?
You reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid to add to the skillet later, which helps the flavors meld and creates the sauce consistency.
How do I make the brown butter sauce?
Melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat and saut e the pine nuts until the butter is lightly browned.
How long should I toast the pine nuts?
Saut e the pine nuts for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until toasted and the butter is browned.
How much garlic is needed?
The recipe requires 3 cloves of garlic, minced.
When do I add the garlic to the skillet?
Add the minced garlic after the butter has browned and the pine nuts are toasted, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, the base recipe is vegetarian as it uses gnocchi, butter, vegetables, and cheese.
Can I add meat to this gnocchi dish?
Yes, you can elevate the dish by adding savory Italian sausage.
How much salt and red pepper is used?
Use 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
What is the final topping for this dish?
The dish is finished with 1/4 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What are the calories per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 218 calories.
How much fat is in a serving?
There are 14 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count?
Each serving contains 20 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in this meal?
There are 6 grams of protein per serving.
What category of meal is this?
It is categorized as a One Dish Meal.
How long is the total cooking process for the final assembly?
After adding all ingredients to the skillet, cook for another 2 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Should I use salted or unsalted butter?
The recipe specifically calls for 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
Are the pine nuts raw or pre-roasted?
The recipe specifies using raw pine nuts, as they will toast in the butter.
What type of cuisine is this?
This is an Italian-style pasta dish.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food due to the rich brown butter and gnocchi.
What should I do to prevent the garlic from burning?
Cook the garlic for only 2 minutes until fragrant and watch the heat carefully.
How much broccolini should I buy?
You will need 3/4 lb of broccolini or broccoli rabe.
Is this recipe suitable for busy weeknights?
Yes, it is described as quick and easy to prepare, making it ideal for weeknight dinners.
What texture should the broccolini have?
The broccolini should be tender-crisp after blanching.
How is the gnocchi coated?
The gnocchi is coated in a luscious brown butter sauce enhanced with garlic and red pepper flakes.