Minute Garlic Butter Gnocchi Skillet Quick and Tasty Meal

September 6, 2025 by Amelia

Craving a quick and tasty meal? Let me share my Minute Garlic Butter Gnocchi Skillet recipe! This dish features soft potato gnocchi, rich butter, and fresh veggies, all coming together in just minutes. You’ll impress family or friends with this easy recipe that brings comfort and flavor to your table. Ready to dive into the tastiest skillet experience? Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients

To make Minute Garlic Butter Gnocchi Skillet, you need a few simple items. These ingredients make the dish tasty and quick. Here’s what you’ll need:

1 package (16 oz) potato gnocchi
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups fresh spinach
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Each ingredient adds a special touch. The potato gnocchi gives a soft texture. The unsalted butter is key for richness. Garlic brings a lovely aroma and flavor. Cherry tomatoes add color and sweetness. Spinach boosts nutrition and freshness. Seasonings like salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes add depth. Parmesan cheese adds a savory finish, and fresh basil makes it pretty.

Gather these items before you start. It will help you cook quickly. Enjoy the process as you create this delicious meal!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cooking the Gnocchi

First, fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring the water to a boil. This usually takes about 5 minutes. Once it boils, add the potato gnocchi. Cook them for about 2-3 minutes. You know they are done when they float to the top. Use a strainer to drain the gnocchi. Set them aside for later.

Making the Garlic Butter Sauce

Next, take the same skillet you used for the gnocchi. Add 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Heat it on medium heat until it melts. Then, add 4 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute. Make sure not to let it burn, as this will change the flavor.

Combining Ingredients

Now it’s time to add more flavor. Toss in 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes. Cook them for another 2-3 minutes until they start to soften. After that, add the drained gnocchi from before. Gently mix them in the garlic butter. Next, add 2 cups of fresh spinach. Let it wilt for 1-2 minutes. Season the mix with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you want some heat. Lastly, sprinkle in ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir lightly so it mixes well. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves for that special touch.

Tips & Tricks

Perfecting Garlic Butter Gnocchi

Avoiding burnt garlic: Cook minced garlic on medium heat. Stir it often. Remove it from heat once it is fragrant. If it turns brown, it will taste bitter.
How to sauté spinach effectively: Add spinach after the gnocchi. Cook it for 1-2 minutes. Stir until it wilts but stays bright green. This keeps the flavor fresh.

Serving Suggestions

Best ways to serve: Dish the gnocchi hot in a bowl. Add a sprinkle of fresh basil. This makes the dish look nice and adds flavor.
Pairing with sides or drinks: Serve with a light salad or crusty bread. Pair with a glass of white wine or sparkling water for a refreshing touch.

Enhancing Flavor

Additional spices and herbs: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg for warmth. Fresh thyme or oregano can also boost the taste.
Using different cheeses: Swap Parmesan for feta or goat cheese for a tangy twist. This adds creaminess and depth to your dish.

Variations

Substituting Ingredients

If you want to switch up the gnocchi, you can use other pasta types. Try small shells or orecchiette for a fun twist. For a gluten-free option, look for gnocchi made from rice or chickpeas. If you need a dairy-free option, use vegan butter instead of unsalted butter. Nutritional yeast can add a cheesy flavor without dairy.

Adding Protein

Adding protein can make this dish heartier. You can toss in cooked chicken for a juicy bite. Shrimp is another tasty choice; just sauté them until pink and tender. If you prefer sausage, try slicing it and browning it in the skillet before adding the garlic. This adds flavor and makes the meal more filling.

Seasonal Ingredients

Using seasonal veggies makes this dish fresh. In spring, add asparagus or peas for a burst of color. Summer is great for zucchini and bell peppers, which add crunch. In fall, consider roasted butternut squash for sweetness. Winter greens like kale or Swiss chard can also work well. Incorporating seasonal ingredients keeps your meal exciting.

Storage Info

Storing Leftovers

To keep your leftovers fresh, use an airtight container. This helps prevent moisture loss and keeps flavors intact. Place the gnocchi in the container and seal it well. If you refrigerate, they will stay good for up to three days. For longer storage, freezing is a great option. Just make sure to freeze them in a single layer first. This way, they don’t stick together.

Reheating Instructions

When reheating, you want to keep the gnocchi soft and tender. The best method is to use a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of water or broth to help steam them a bit. Cover the skillet to trap the heat. Stir gently until heated through. You can also microwave them, but the texture may change. If using the microwave, add a few drops of water and cover.

Shelf-life of Ingredients

The ingredients in this dish have different shelf-lives:

Potato gnocchi: Unopened packages can last up to a year. Opened packages should be used within two weeks.
Unsalted butter: Lasts about 4 months in the fridge and up to a year in the freezer.
Garlic: Fresh garlic can last up to three weeks at room temperature.
Cherry tomatoes: Best used within a week, but can last up to two weeks in the fridge.
Fresh spinach: Should be used within a week for the best flavor and texture.
Parmesan cheese: Can last up to a month in the fridge, longer if frozen.
Basil leaves: Best used fresh, within a week.

Proper storage helps you enjoy this tasty meal longer!

FAQs

How do you know when gnocchi is done cooking?

You know gnocchi is done when it floats to the top of the water. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. When it rises, it’s light and ready to eat. If you taste one, it should be tender but not mushy. Keep an eye on the time to avoid overcooking.

Can you use frozen gnocchi for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen gnocchi! There’s no need to thaw it first. Just drop it straight into boiling water. Follow the cooking time on the package. Frozen gnocchi cooks the same way as fresh. It’s a great time-saver and still tastes amazing.

What can I substitute for heavy cream in this dish?

If you want to skip heavy cream, try using half-and-half or whole milk. You can also use coconut milk for a dairy-free option. Another choice is to blend silken tofu with a bit of water. This gives a creamy texture with fewer calories.

Can this recipe be made vegan?

Yes, you can make this recipe vegan! Use vegan butter instead of regular butter. Skip the cheese or use a plant-based cheese. For cream, replace it with coconut milk or a nut milk. Fresh spinach and tomatoes add great flavor without any animal products.

This blog post walks you through making delicious garlic butter gnocchi. We covered the key ingredients, step-by-step cooking instructions, and valuable tips. You learned how to enhance flavors and serve it perfectly. I shared ideas for variations, like adding proteins and seasonal veggies. Finally, storing and reheating tips can help keep leftovers tasty. Enjoy your cooking adventure, and remember, gnocchi is flexible and fun. Just make it your own!

$To make Minute Garlic Butter Gnocchi Skillet, you need a few simple items. These ingredients make the dish tasty and quick. Here’s what you’ll need: - 1 package (16 oz) potato gnocchi - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 2 cups fresh spinach - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat) - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese - Fresh basil leaves for garnish Each ingredient adds a special touch. The potato gnocchi gives a soft texture. The unsalted butter is key for richness. Garlic brings a lovely aroma and flavor. Cherry tomatoes add color and sweetness. Spinach boosts nutrition and freshness. Seasonings like salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes add depth. Parmesan cheese adds a savory finish, and fresh basil makes it pretty. Gather these items before you start. It will help you cook quickly. Enjoy the process as you create this delicious meal! First, fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring the water to a boil. This usually takes about 5 minutes. Once it boils, add the potato gnocchi. Cook them for about 2-3 minutes. You know they are done when they float to the top. Use a strainer to drain the gnocchi. Set them aside for later. Next, take the same skillet you used for the gnocchi. Add 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Heat it on medium heat until it melts. Then, add 4 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute. Make sure not to let it burn, as this will change the flavor. Now it’s time to add more flavor. Toss in 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes. Cook them for another 2-3 minutes until they start to soften. After that, add the drained gnocchi from before. Gently mix them in the garlic butter. Next, add 2 cups of fresh spinach. Let it wilt for 1-2 minutes. Season the mix with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you want some heat. Lastly, sprinkle in ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir lightly so it mixes well. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves for that special touch. - Avoiding burnt garlic: Cook minced garlic on medium heat. Stir it often. Remove it from heat once it is fragrant. If it turns brown, it will taste bitter. - How to sauté spinach effectively: Add spinach after the gnocchi. Cook it for 1-2 minutes. Stir until it wilts but stays bright green. This keeps the flavor fresh. - Best ways to serve: Dish the gnocchi hot in a bowl. Add a sprinkle of fresh basil. This makes the dish look nice and adds flavor. - Pairing with sides or drinks: Serve with a light salad or crusty bread. Pair with a glass of white wine or sparkling water for a refreshing touch. - Additional spices and herbs: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg for warmth. Fresh thyme or oregano can also boost the taste. - Using different cheeses: Swap Parmesan for feta or goat cheese for a tangy twist. This adds creaminess and depth to your dish. {{image_2}} If you want to switch up the gnocchi, you can use other pasta types. Try small shells or orecchiette for a fun twist. For a gluten-free option, look for gnocchi made from rice or chickpeas. If you need a dairy-free option, use vegan butter instead of unsalted butter. Nutritional yeast can add a cheesy flavor without dairy. Adding protein can make this dish heartier. You can toss in cooked chicken for a juicy bite. Shrimp is another tasty choice; just sauté them until pink and tender. If you prefer sausage, try slicing it and browning it in the skillet before adding the garlic. This adds flavor and makes the meal more filling. Using seasonal veggies makes this dish fresh. In spring, add asparagus or peas for a burst of color. Summer is great for zucchini and bell peppers, which add crunch. In fall, consider roasted butternut squash for sweetness. Winter greens like kale or Swiss chard can also work well. Incorporating seasonal ingredients keeps your meal exciting. To keep your leftovers fresh, use an airtight container. This helps prevent moisture loss and keeps flavors intact. Place the gnocchi in the container and seal it well. If you refrigerate, they will stay good for up to three days. For longer storage, freezing is a great option. Just make sure to freeze them in a single layer first. This way, they don’t stick together. When reheating, you want to keep the gnocchi soft and tender. The best method is to use a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of water or broth to help steam them a bit. Cover the skillet to trap the heat. Stir gently until heated through. You can also microwave them, but the texture may change. If using the microwave, add a few drops of water and cover. The ingredients in this dish have different shelf-lives: - Potato gnocchi: Unopened packages can last up to a year. Opened packages should be used within two weeks. - Unsalted butter: Lasts about 4 months in the fridge and up to a year in the freezer. - Garlic: Fresh garlic can last up to three weeks at room temperature. - Cherry tomatoes: Best used within a week, but can last up to two weeks in the fridge. - Fresh spinach: Should be used within a week for the best flavor and texture. - Parmesan cheese: Can last up to a month in the fridge, longer if frozen. - Basil leaves: Best used fresh, within a week. Proper storage helps you enjoy this tasty meal longer! You know gnocchi is done when it floats to the top of the water. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. When it rises, it's light and ready to eat. If you taste one, it should be tender but not mushy. Keep an eye on the time to avoid overcooking. Yes, you can use frozen gnocchi! There’s no need to thaw it first. Just drop it straight into boiling water. Follow the cooking time on the package. Frozen gnocchi cooks the same way as fresh. It’s a great time-saver and still tastes amazing. If you want to skip heavy cream, try using half-and-half or whole milk. You can also use coconut milk for a dairy-free option. Another choice is to blend silken tofu with a bit of water. This gives a creamy texture with fewer calories. Yes, you can make this recipe vegan! Use vegan butter instead of regular butter. Skip the cheese or use a plant-based cheese. For cream, replace it with coconut milk or a nut milk. Fresh spinach and tomatoes add great flavor without any animal products. This blog post walks you through making delicious garlic butter gnocchi. We covered the key ingredients, step-by-step cooking instructions, and valuable tips. You learned how to enhance flavors and serve it perfectly. I shared ideas for variations, like adding proteins and seasonal veggies. Finally, storing and reheating tips can help keep leftovers tasty. Enjoy your cooking adventure, and remember, gnocchi is flexible and fun. Just make it your own!$