Now this is a dish worth sharing. Gnocchi with Zucchini, Fresh Herbs and Ricotta Salata just may be my new favorite!
Let’s face it, gnocchi combined with anything is quite the offering. Not only does this perfect puff of goodness cook up in, ohhh, about a minute or so – its simple, wonderful, and subtle flavor has the power to halt even the busiest of people.
It invites the family to the table and reminds them what dinner time is all about.
Here’s the thing, who doesn’t love walking into the house at the end of a hard day to the aroma of fried garlic and chopped basil. These flavors and aromas make the most mundane of days feel like a holiday. Am I right?
I’ve chosen to prepare my gnocchi today with zucchini (for obvious reasons!) and ricotta salata (also for obvious reasons!) but gnocchi with crispy bacon and toasted pine nuts is always a winner, and gnocchi with fried garlic and Parmesan can’t help but be a welcomed addition to our meal rotation.
An uncomplicated endeavor, you simply chop your zucchini into bite-sized pieces, add some chopped garlic, and cook until crisp-tender in a large sauté pan. Boil the gnocchi, and once they make their happy ascent to the surface of the water, use a large slotted spoon to remove from the pot and add directly to the sauté pan where the fried zucchini sit in waiting. Gently mix to combine the gnocchi with the MVP of summer veggies, then nothing left to do but fix a plate.
Top your pasta with ricotta salata, fresh basil and a good shake of red pepper flakes. Enjoy!
Buon Appetito!
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Gnocchi with Zucchini, Fresh Herbs and Ricotta Salata
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Now this is a dish worth sharing. Gnocchi with Zucchini, Fresh Herbs and Ricotta Salata just may be my new favorite!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 lbs. zucchini, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
- 3 plump cloves garlic, chopped
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lb. gnocchi, fresh or frozen
- 1/4 lb. ricotta salata, crumbled (about 1 cup)
- 1/3 cup torn fresh basil
- 1 Tbsp. red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add zucchini, salt and pepper and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add the chopped garlic and cook for another 5 minutes more, or until zucchini is crisp-tender.
- Meanwhile, cook the gnocchi according to the package directions.
- When gnocchi are done cooking, about 1 minute or so, slowly remove them from the water with a slotted spoon and deliver to the pan holding the zucchini.
- Gently toss to combine.
- Serve immediately and sprinkle with ricotta salata, fresh basil and red pepper flakes.
CIAO!!
this is absolutely perfect for summer Annie, love it!
Oh yesss – we have to find all the ways to use up our zucchini! Thank you, friend! 🙂
I’d love a big plate please, Annie. This is my kind of dinner – quick, easy and so flavorful! Have a great weekend!
Big plate coming right up! I so wish I could!! Thanks, friend!! 🙂
Who can resist ultra pillowy homemade gnocchi!?! And I completely agree, they pair with anything, but I’m really loving this combination in particular + I have so much zucchini right now!
Yay to lots of zucchini!! I hope you give this a whirl! Enjoy, my friend!! 🙂
Oh my my! This gnocchi looks absolutely inviting and super delicious. Love how fluffy it looks. Absolutely agree, that gnocchi combined with anything is quite the offering. A platter with so full of yumminess. Have a wonderful weekend!
I think that’s what I love most about a dish like this – it just looks inviting…and has flavors to match the warm feelings it produces! Thanks, my dear! Have a lovely weekend!
I’ve never made Gnocchi, Annie! There. I said it! But that’s got to change, because this recipe has my mouthwatering! Thank you for sharing ! xo
You said it! Now don’t you feel better?! I know I do! Because now I can get all excited over the idea of you making gnocchi for the first time! It’s the best! Thanks for stopping by, my friend! Have a beautiful weekend! xo
“perfect puff of goodness” <– LOVE this! Who could resist something with this description? I'm all about a bit of whimsy when it comes to food (and everything else). That's probably why I'm such a HUGE fan of your blog, Annie! 🙂 Also, I love that this dish brings us all back to the true meaning of dinner. Nothing compares to quality time with friends and family around a table of great food. Thank you for sharing yet another gorgeous dish. Also, I'm still smiling over that food frame you created in the last photo. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend, my friend. Muah! xoxo Pinned.
Who can resist perfect puffs of goodness? Or quality time with family around the table? As the summer winds down I keep looking for excuses to gather my peeps, and good food always seems to work! Thanks for stopping by my friend!! Have a gorgeous weekend! xo
I have never actually made gnocchi. Eaten, yes. Made, no. This looks like the perfect place to start!
It can’t get much easier… I say go for it, friend! You’ll love it!
Gnocchi is the best comfort food in the world. Love it in the winter months when it can hold up to rich, thick, meaty sauces. Yet somehow you, my genius friend, have turned it into a light and fresh summer dish. I have loads of csa zucchini every weekend and I’m thinking this would be a perfect side for this Sunday’s roast chicken. Yum!
Mmmm – I love the idea of pairing this dish with roast chicken! Talk about a perfect Sunday!! Thank you, friend!
You’ve given me great inspiration for that zucchini I picked in my garden. I never thought to combine it with gnocchi. I even have ricotta salata in the fridge. Beautiful photos too.
Well that is happiness! I think you’ll love it. Thank you, Linda!
Love gnocchi and the combination with zucchini sounds amazing! Love the beautiful pictures!
Dinner is served! Thank you, friend!
Mmm gnocchi is amazing, and especially paired with the beautiful fresh zucchini! I wish I had a plate of this for lunch 🙂
The flavors of the zucchini and basil certainly do shine in this summer comfort dish! Thank you, Rachel!
OMGeee, I haven’t even tried this yet, and I’m already declaring it a favorite, Annie! I’m gnocchi obsessed – seriously those little pillows of yum are EVERYTHING, but combining it with zucchini, herbs, garlic and ricotta?! HEAVEN! This is such an elegant dish, but I love that it’s easy enough for a week night meal! Can’t wait to make this, girlfriend! Pinned! Cheers, dear!
P.S The smell of fried garlic and chopped basil IS amazing! xoxo
And doesn’t everyone deserve elegance?! I say YES! As long as it doesn’t require breaking too much of a sweat to achieve! 😉 Thank you, lovely!! Enjoy! xoxo
This is my type of meal — simple yet delicious! I bet the plate was licked clean. And if by chance you have any leftovers, I can send you a self-addressed box with a container inside, ready to be filled. I love your shots of the dish, especially the one that is a frame, very clever and artistic!! Have a great day.
No leftovers but I’m happy to make it for you fresh and send it along!! Thanks for your kinds words, my friend!! Have a beautiful day! 🙂
Oh wow! This sounds delicious, can’t wait to try!! 🙂
You will love it, Cindy!! Thanks, friend!! 🙂
What a comforting dish. The photos make me want to take a fork and try a bite (if only..) :-). I love the simple goodness of all the flavors you used here. Take care.
You can never go wrong with gnocchi combined with ingredients that are fresh from the farm! Thank you, my friend!!
I’ve never had gnocchi with zucchini before. What a great summer recipe. Yum!
Oh – it’s absolutely worth trying! Thanks, friend!! 🙂
Any kind of pasta with zucchini is a must for us in the summer, but with gnocchi, herbs, and ricotta salata, oh yum! Beautiful pictures for a beautiful, delicious dish! Have a great week, Annie, thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Nicoletta! We’re always looking for new ways to use zucchini…this is so satisfying! 🙂
I love gnocchi! this sounds so simple yet so good! this is comfort all right!! loved it!! well done my dear.
Thank you, Gaila!! It’s too simple not to make and enjoy!! I have everything I need for another batch….already looking forward to it!
This looks so delicious, Annie! It’s fresh, but looks like a big plate of comfort food!! The zucchini and basil sound wonderful!! Pinned 🙂 Have a great upcoming weekend 🙂 xo
It’s a lovely combination of flavors! And the house smells sooo good while it’s cooking! Thanks, friend! xo
Yep, I think this might just be my new favorite, too! I’ve never made gnocchi before, so I definitely need to start. I love the ricotta in here, Annie! Sounds so flavorful!
Nothing like summer comfort food! Thanks, Gayle!