Quick & Easy Browned Butter Gnocchi with Broccoli and Toasted Pine Nuts: A Weeknight Delight
Discover the magic of a simple yet incredibly flavorful meal that comes together in under 15 minutes: Browned Butter Gnocchi with Broccoli and Pine Nuts. This delightful dish features soft, pillowy gnocchi perfectly paired with crisp, vibrant broccoli, all enveloped in a rich, nutty brown butter sauce, and finished with fragrant toasted pine nuts and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It’s the ultimate combination of comfort and convenience, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you crave something special without the fuss.
Unlocking Flavor: The Secret of Browned Butter
There’s a reason why browned butter, also known as beurre noisette, is revered by chefs and home cooks alike. The transformation that occurs when butter is gently heated until its milk solids caramelize is truly culinary alchemy. It develops an incredibly rich, nutty aroma and a complex, toasty flavor that elevates any dish it touches. For me, the moment that distinctive nutty smell fills the kitchen is pure joy – it signals that something truly delicious is about to happen. This simple technique takes an ordinary ingredient and turns it into a flavor powerhouse, providing depth and warmth to everything from sweet treats to savory main courses. If you’ve never experienced the magic of browned butter, this recipe is the perfect introduction, showcasing its ability to transform everyday ingredients into an extraordinary meal.
This Green Beans with Brown Butter and Toasted Almonds recipe is another fantastic example of how browned butter can enhance simple vegetables, adding a gourmet touch with minimal effort. In today’s Browned Butter Gnocchi with Broccoli and Pine Nuts, the browned butter serves as the heart of the sauce, beautifully coating the tender gnocchi and crisp broccoli, while its deep flavor perfectly complements the earthy pine nuts and salty Parmesan cheese.
Why This Gnocchi Dish Is Your New Weeknight Favorite
What makes this particular dish so special? It’s the effortless fusion of contrasting textures and harmonious flavors. You get the delightful chewiness of soft gnocchi, the satisfying crisp-tender bite of fresh broccoli, all brought together by that irresistible, aromatic brown butter sauce. Toasted pine nuts add a delicate crunch and a warm, buttery note, while a generous dusting of fresh Parmesan cheese provides a salty, umami finish. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures that feels indulgent but is remarkably simple to prepare.
One of the most appealing aspects of this Browned Butter Gnocchi with Broccoli and Pine Nuts is its incredible speed. Picture this: you walk in the door after a long, exhausting day, and the thought of a complicated recipe feels overwhelming. This dish is your culinary savior, coming together in well under 15 minutes from start to finish. It’s faster than ordering takeout and infinitely more satisfying. You truly can’t beat that level of convenience for a wholesome, homemade meal, especially when you’re short on time and energy.
A Love Affair with Gnocchi: Pillowy Potato Perfection
Let’s take a moment to truly appreciate gnocchi. Does anyone else adore those little soft, pillowy potato dumplings as much as I do? Their unique texture and ability to absorb flavors make them an incredibly versatile ingredient. My family and I are big fans, which is why you’ll often find gnocchi making an appearance in our meals. I love incorporating them into comforting soups like this Easy Gnocchi Soup, or creating delightful one-pot meals such as this One Pot French Onion Gnocchi. And for those craving a taste of a restaurant classic at home, this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup always hits the spot.
My fascination with gnocchi deepened during a trip to Italy with my husband, Mike, a few years ago. We had the incredible opportunity to see firsthand how gnocchi is traditionally made, using simple ingredients like flour, potatoes, and eggs. It truly is a testament to the beauty of Italian cuisine – taking humble ingredients and transforming them into something sublime. While making gnocchi from scratch can be a rewarding experience for those who enjoy the process (you can follow this step-by-step guide if you’re feeling adventurous), for a quick weeknight meal, pre-made gnocchi is a fantastic, convenient option. I often opt for the high-quality pre-made varieties available at my local grocery store, like those from Trader Joe’s, which cook up perfectly in minutes.
During our Italian travels, we savored many unforgettable gnocchi dishes, including a memorable gnocchi with gorgonzola and pine nuts. That experience cemented my love for these delightful dumplings. While I don’t prepare gnocchi every day, it’s a perfect choice for those occasions when you’re yearning for a hearty, comforting meal. Especially when you consider how quickly and effortlessly a dish like this Browned Butter Gnocchi with Broccoli and Pine Nuts comes together, it’s a brilliant way to enjoy a taste of Italian comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen.
Effortless Execution: A Three-Step Recipe for Success
The beauty of this Browned Butter Gnocchi with Broccoli and Pine Nuts recipe lies in its elegant simplicity. It’s truly a three-step wonder that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. Let’s walk through it:
- Toast the Pine Nuts: Begin by toasting your pine nuts. This crucial step deepens their flavor and adds a delightful crunch. Heat a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat. Add the pine nuts and stir frequently. Keep a close eye on them, as they can go from perfectly golden to burnt in a flash! After about 3 minutes, they should be fragrant and lightly golden in spots. Immediately remove them from the pan and set aside to cool. This prevents them from continuing to cook in the residual heat.
- Boil Gnocchi and Broccoli: Next, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your gnocchi and cook according to the package directions. Most store-bought gnocchi cook very quickly, usually in just 2-4 minutes until they float to the surface. During the last 3 minutes of the gnocchi’s cooking time, add your chopped broccoli florets to the boiling water. This ensures the broccoli is crisp-tender, not mushy. For example, if your gnocchi takes 4 minutes, add the broccoli after 1 minute of gnocchi cooking.
- Brown the Butter and Combine: While the gnocchi and broccoli cook, melt the unsalted butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 7-8 minutes. Watch closely as the butter will foam, then the milk solids will start to separate and turn a beautiful golden-brown, creating that distinctive nutty aroma. Once the butter is browned, immediately add the drained gnocchi and broccoli to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper, then gently toss everything together, ensuring the gnocchi and broccoli are thoroughly coated in the fragrant browned butter.
Finally, transfer the warm gnocchi mixture to serving plates. Add the freshly shaved Parmesan cheese directly to the warm gnocchi, allowing it to melt slightly and become gooey. Garnish with your perfectly toasted pine nuts and, if you like a little kick, a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes. It really is as easy as 1-2-3, proving that incredible taste doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming!
Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating and comment below! Subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on
Facebook,
Instagram, or
Pinterest for the latest.
Browned Butter Gnocchi with Broccoli and Pine Nuts
Pin
Ingredients
- 2 packs gnocchi
- 5 cups chopped broccoli , {about 1 large head of broccoli}
- 4 tbsps. unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps. olive oil
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper , {or more for spice–optional}
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly shaved {or cheese of your choice}
Instructions
-
Heat a dry large skillet over medium-low heat and toast pine nuts, stirring frequently, until pine nuts are golden in spots, about 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
-
Heat water in a large pot until boiling. Add the gnocchi and cook according to the package directions. Add the broccoli to the boiling water during the last 3 minutes of cooking {for me the gnocchi took 4 minutes so I added the broccoli in after 1 minute of cooking}.
-
In a large skillet heat the 4 Tablespoons of butter and olive oil over medium heat and cook for 7-8 minutes, until the butter is browned. Add the gnocchi and broccoli, salt and pepper and toss to coat the gnocchi with the butter.
-
Add the shaved parmesan cheese to the warm gnocchi and let side to allow the cheese to melt.
-
Serve the gnocchi warm with a sprinkle of crushed red pepper {optional}, the toasted pine nuts and additional cheese for garnish.
Notes
- This recipe makes 8 cups.
- Try other cheese including pecorino Romano or mozzarella.
- You can easily use a different vegetable in place of the broccoli. Try peas, green beans or broccolini.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.