Description
A delicious and fresh dish combining pesto gnocchi with crisp asparagus.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/4 cup Toasted Pine Nuts (Substitute with walnuts or cashews for variation)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Consider using roasted garlic for a milder taste)
- 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice (Lime juice can serve as an alternative)
- 2 cups Fresh Basil Leaves (Dried basil may not substitute well)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (Nutritional yeast can provide a non-dairy option)
- 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Avocado oil can be a substitute for a different flavor profile)
- 1 pound Dried Gnocchi (Frozen or fresh gnocchi can be used with adjusted cooking time)
- 1 bunch Asparagus (Alternatives include green beans or zucchini)
Instructions
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
- In your food processor, combine the toasted pine nuts, garlic, and lemon juice; pulse until finely chopped. Add in the fresh basil leaves and Parmesan cheese, then pulse again. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the asparagus and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they are crisp-tender and bright green.
- Add the gnocchi to the boiling water and cook for approximately 4 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the cooking water before draining.
- Gently add the drained gnocchi to the skillet with the cooked asparagus. Pour in the homemade pesto and stir everything together. Use reserved cooking water if needed to adjust the consistency.
- Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, then serve warm, at room temperature, or chill for later enjoyment.
Notes
- This dish can be made with variations in nuts and oils for different flavor profiles.
- Adjust cooking times based on the type of gnocchi used.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 15mg