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This simple Lemon Pesto Burrata and Brown Butter Gnocchi makes for the perfect spring dinner. Store-bought gnocchi with golden garlic cooked until crispy, then tossed with basil pesto. Serve this quick-cooking gnocchi with creamy burrata cheese and sautéed asparagus. Every bite is layered with delicious spring flavors. This is a simple and warming recipe for any night of the week.
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It’s officially spring! Now that I’ve had a glimpse of warmer days I’m really starting to lean-into (and be inspired by) spring recipes. I have things like Easter menus on my mind and plenty of fresh herby recipes.
I’m excited, and today feels like the perfect day to really celebrate the start of spring.
I’m not sure about all of you, but to me, spring means lots of fresh asparagus, artichokes, sweet strawberries, and plenty of herbs. All are the perfect fresh produce to accompany light, bright, fresh recipes.
Of course, as with most of my recipes, I still like to add a sliver of specialness and indulgence. I just can’t help it. Which brings me to this gnocchi. It’s fresh, quick, and can basically be made by anyone, but at the same time, it feels very, very special.
I love that this is an all-in-one dinners – just use one skillet.
All thanks to the burrata and buttery sauce!
Ingredients
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Asparagus, ends trimmed
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- Salted butter
- Garlic cloves
- Chili flakes
- Lemon zest
- Fresh potato gnocchi
- Basil pesto
- Burrata cheese
- Fresh parmesan
- herbs such as fresh thyme or oregano
The details are quick – start with the asparagus
As mentioned, springtime is the best time for asparagus. And thankfully, it’s one of my family’s favorite green vegetables. All of my brothers, even the pickiest one, enjoy asparagus, as does my mother (who can also be a bit of a challenge to feed).
It’s safe to say that asparagus is a universally loved vegetable around here. Which means I use it often in the spring.
My favorite ways to cook asparagus are to either roast it or quickly stir fry it in a skillet. Since I knew this dish could easily be a one-pot recipe, I started by stir-frying the asparagus with butter, garlic, and lemon zest. I kept it simple because asparagus has a lot of flavor.
The gnocchi
Next, the gnocchi. I used store-bought potato gnocchi, which really works great for this recipe. It’s cooked in butter until the butter turns golden around the gnocchi and the bottom becomes crispy.
It really is delicious with a bit of garlic stirred in.
Fresh basil pesto is added at the end just before being serving.
To serve
You need room-temperature burrata cheese, which I do think is very important. You want the cheese to be at room temp so that when you poor over all the warm gnocchi and yummy butter sauce, the gnocchi really melts into the cheese – creating deliciousness.
I always top with extra parmesan and a drizzle of pesto too. Then serve the asparagus on the side. For extra spices, you could add italian seasonings.
Everything is completed in well under 30 minutes so this is perfect for super busy nights! But at the same time? It really does feel special enough to serve to guests on the weekend too even though it’s a relatively simple recipe.
No one needs to know just how easy this is, all that matters is that it’s delicious. Everyone will be heading back for seconds…so maybe double the recipe!
Pair this recipe with a nice side salad and a side of crusty bread for the hungry ones at your table! There you have it, a perfect easy dinner with a healthy mix of vegetables.
Looking for other quick spring recipes? Here are my favorites:
Sheet Pan Lemon Rosemary Dijon Chicken and Potatoes
Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach Salmon
One Pot Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
Lastly, if you make this Lemon Pesto Burrata and Brown Butter Gnocchi, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Lemon Pesto Burrata and Brown Butter Gnocchi
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- chili flakes
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 pound fresh potato gnocchi
- 1/3 cup basil pesto
- 8 ounces burrata cheese, at room temperature
- fresh parmesan, for serving
Instructions
- 1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the asparagus and cook until tender, 3-5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon butter, 1 clove garlic, lemon zest, and chili flakes. Cook until the butter browns, 1-2 minutes. Remove from the skillet. 2. To the same skillet, add the gnocchi and 5 tablespoons butter. Allow the gnocchi to get crispy, about 4-5 minutes, then toss with the butter and add the garlic. Cook another 2 minutes, then stir in the pesto and remove from the heat. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Break the burrata into serving bowls. Add the asparagus, then spoon over the gnocchi. Top with parmesan and extra pesto.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
My husband loved this! Flavors were wonderful. But I’m a little confused- did you boil the gnocchi before crisping it up in the pan? It looked like that in the video, but the reviews said otherwise. I boiled first, then put them into the pan and they lost their shape a bit. Maybe next time I’ll skip the boiling?
Hey Michelle,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed! You do not need to boil the gnocchi first:) xx
Yum! I was skeptical about not boiling the gnocchi but it was great. So flavorful and fast – I wouldn’t change a thing.
Hi Olivia,
Thank you so much for trying this recipe, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
I’ve made this twice now and each time it’s been a hit! My husband loves this dish. Made last night for a casual dinner party and it is easy to put together while guests are first getting to the house. ❤️❤️❤️
Hey Anne,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it. Have the best week:) xx
I made this tonight for a meatless Lenten meal. My family loved it! I was skeptical about not boiling the gnocchi, but this pan-fried crispy version was different and delicious. This one is a keeper.
Hi Mary,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! Have the best weekend:) xTieghan
SO YUMMY!!
Hi Noell,
Fantastic!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for trying it out! xTieghan
I made this last night for dinner. It was delicious and very easy. I really enjoyed cooking the gnocchi in the butter. I plan to make it again.
Hi Jill,
Fantastic!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for trying it out! xTieghan
what brand gnocchi do you use?
Hi Ava,
I like to get my gnocchi from Whole Foods. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Trader Joe’s has a really good gnocchi.
This was great! We had it as our meatless Monday. My husband’s only complaint was that I didn’t make enough! All of my kids liked it.
Recommendations: buy thin asparagus or cut it in half.
Hey Elizabeth,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for sharing your feedback, I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed! xx
I made this last night for dinner. It was delicious and very easy. I really enjoyed cooking the gnocchi in the butter. I plan to make it again.
Hi Jill,
Fantastic!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for trying it out! xTieghan
Excellent and super satisfying. What a quick delicious meal to throw together for after school days. We had the double strawberry cupcakes for dessert, the dishes complimented each other quite well. Another one hit out of the park!
Hi Chelsea,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for sharing your feedback, I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed! xx
I really wanted to love this recipe, it sounded so good, but all the butter just didn’t taste as good as I was hoping, and the pesto didn’t pair well in my opinion. I made it with the rosemary lemon Dijon chicken as a protein.
Hey there,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try, sorry to hear it was not enjoyed! xTieghan
Oh gosh sooooo good!!! I cut up some chicken apple sausages in its own skillet and it was so good.
Asparagus! So much better in the spring time!
Hey Rachel,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed!! Have the best week:) xTieghan
This was delicious and SO quick! Perfect weeknight dinner.
Hi Miranda,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have the best weekend!☀️ xx
Love how easy and delicious this meal is!
Hi there,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for making it! xxT
Delicious and so easy to prepare! I’m on board for anything with pesto and burrata. 🙂 My husband isn’t the biggest fan of asparagus (though I am!) so I think I’ll try it with broccolini next time. Five stars!
Hi Veronica,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I am so glad it was a hit! Thanks for sharing your review!? xT
Can frozen cauliflower gnocchi be used in place of fresh?
Hi Noelle,
I would thaw it first:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan