Creamy Lemon Pea Gnocchi Skillet

Name: Creamy Lemon Pea Gnocchi Skillet
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp unsalted butter; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 lb shelf-stable potato gnocchi; 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth; 3/4 cup heavy cream; 1 cup frozen peas; 1 lemon, zested and juiced; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more to serve; 1/2 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp chopped basil or parsley

Pillowy gnocchi simmer in a quick lemony cream sauce with peas and Parmesan for a cozy 30-minute dinner.

Prep: 10 · Cook: 20 · Total: 30 · Serves: 4 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.8/5 (248 reviews)

INSPIRED BY

I love how shelf-stable gnocchi turns into a comforting dinner with just a few fridge staples and a bright hit of lemon.

Story

Some nights I want comfort food, but I still want it to feel fresh and not too heavy. This skillet is my answer, creamy sauce, a little lemon to wake everything up, and peas that make it feel cheerful. I usually keep a bag of frozen peas around for exactly this kind of dinner. If you set the table while it simmers, it honestly feels like you pulled off something much more complicated.

By Casey

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb shelf-stable potato gnocchi
1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup frozen peas
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more to serve
1/2 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp chopped basil or parsley

Instructions

Start the pan: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Toast the gnocchi: Add gnocchi and cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until lightly golden in spots.
Simmer: Pour in broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook 4 minutes so the gnocchi turns tender.
Make it creamy: Uncover, stir in cream and peas, and simmer 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened.
Brighten and finish: Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve: Sprinkle with herbs and extra Parmesan. Serve hot, with a simple salad if you want something crisp on the side.

Chef Tips

Toasting the gnocchi adds flavor and helps it hold its shape.
If the sauce thickens too much, loosen with a splash of broth.
Add spinach in the last minute for extra greens.
Use half-and-half for a lighter sauce, it will be slightly thinner.

Cook's Notes

**Gnocchi type:** Shelf-stable gnocchi works best here, refrigerated cooks similarly but may need less simmer time.
**Lemon control:** Start with half the juice, then add more to taste.
**Extra protein:** Add shredded rotisserie chicken at the end to warm through.

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