Creamy Lemon Kale Pesto Gnocchi

This Creamy Lemon Kale Pesto Gnocchi is the BEST healthy comfort food dish for dinner! Make it in 20 minutes flat for a delicious meal that everyone will love. Perfect as a filling vegetarian recipe, or add your protein of choice. Every bite is so good!

Ready for the ultimate healthy summer comfort food? This Pesto Gnocchi recipe is full of bright, summer flavors that really take dinner up a notch! Potato gnocchi cooked to perfection, then mixed into a creamy sauce made with kale pesto (or any pesto), fresh lemon juice, milk of choice, and parmesan cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste, then top it with chopped walnuts and fried onions for that delicious comforting crunch!

You’re going to LOVE this easy, wholesome recipe!

RELATED: 30+ Healthy Pasta Recipes (Easy & Comforting!)

Ingredients for Gnocchi Pesto

Here’s what you’ll need for this Gnocchi Pesto recipe:

Potato Gnocchi – This potato gnocchi (opens in a new tab) is one of my favorites for pesto recipes!

Pesto – Kale pesto, spinach pesto, or store-bought basil pesto are all delicious options. I love making my own kale pesto and keeping it frozen or refrigerated for quick and easy pesto gnocchi!

Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a bright summer flavor to this recipe!

Milk – Your choice of milk, but make sure that it isn’t sweetened. Regular cow’s milk and unsweetened cashew milk are the best options, but almond, soy, or any unsweetened/unflavored plant-based milk is a great option!

Parmesan – Grated parmesan adds a creamy, cheesy flavor that’s unlike any other!

Salt/Pepper – Add salt and pepper to taste as you make this recipe.

Chopped Walnuts – Optional, but chopped walnuts add healthy nutrition and a delicious crunch.

Fried Onions – Want to really take this to the next level? Add crispy fried onions (opens in a new tab) for a delicious comfort food topping!

How to Make Pesto Gnocchi

It only takes 20 minutes to make this easy pesto gnocchi! Here’s how to put it together in no time:

1. Bring water to a boil and cook the gnocchi, drain and set aside.
2. Whisk the pesto, lemon juice, milk, salt, and pepper in a saute pan (opens in a new tab) or large skillet over medium heat until it thickens.
3. Add the parmesan and cooked potato gnocchi to the pesto sauce.
4. Remove from heat, add toppings or protein of choice, and enjoy!

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Tips for Success

• If the sauce seems too thin, continue to cook it until it thickens.
• Still too thin? Whisk in 1 Tablespoon of flour.
• If the sauce is too thick after cooking, add more milk 1 Tablespoon at a time until you achieve the desired consistency.

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The BEST Pesto for Gnocchi Recipes

Any type of pesto works great in gnocchi recipes! Kale pesto, spinach pesto, and homemade or store-bought pesto are all delicious options.

What to Serve With Pesto Gnocchi

• Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini
• Dairy-Free Tuscan Chicken
• Easy Lemon Garlic Shrimp
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Goat Cheese
• Roasted Asparagus
• Easy Quinoa Salad With Feta Cheese
• Apricot Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Recipe
• Air Fryer Crispy Brussels Sprouts & Bacon

RELATED: 25 Ideas for What to Serve With Stuffed Peppers

Refrigerating Cooked Gnocchi

Have leftovers? Want to meal prep this recipe? You can refrigerate gnocchi pesto in an airtight container for 3-5 days!

More Healthy Dinner Recipes You’ll Love

• Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
• Lemon Garlic Eggplant Mushroom Orzo
• Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe
• 10-Minute Avocado Pasta Sauce
• Spinach Pesto Goat Cheese Individual Pizzas
• Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake

Did you make this recipe? Be sure to give it a rating below and tag your photos @jar.of.lemons! (opens in a new tab)