Gnocchi with Burrata, Pesto, and Brown Butter

Brown Butter Gnocchi with Burrata and Pesto is a rich, comforting pasta dish with pillowy gnocchi, creamy burrata, nutty brown butter, and fresh pesto, finished with shaved Parmesan and toasted pine nuts for extra flavor and texture.

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian-Inspired

Keyword brown butter gnocchi, Brown Butter Gnocchi with Burrata and Pesto, burrata gnocchi, crispy gnocchi with burrata and pesto, gnocchi with burrata, pesto gnocchi, potato gnocchi with burrata

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings to 8

Calories 498kcal

Equipment

measuring cups and spoons For accuracy.
large pot To boil the gnocchi.
skillet For sauce and toasting nuts.
Zester For grating the lemon zest.
mixing bowls (heatproof) To hold the brown butter sauce.

Ingredients

2 lbs (907 g) potato gnocchi
12 tbsps (168 g) butter
3 cloves garlic minced
1 tbsp (3 g) fresh thyme chopped
1 tbsp (3 g) fresh sage chopped
1 tsp (1 g) red pepper flakes
2 tsps (4 g) lemon zest
⅓ cup (45 g) pine nuts
⅓ cup (35 g) coarsely chopped walnuts
2 tsps (10 ml) olive oil or other neutral oil
1 large bunch broccolini
sea salt to taste
black pepper to taste
8 oz (227 g) burrata cheese room temperature
lemon juice from the zested lemon (about 2 tbsp / 30 ml)
⅓ cup (85 g) basil pesto
fresh parmesan and fresh thyme for serving and garnish

Instructions

Boil the potato gnocchi in salted water until they float to the top, about 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2 lbs (907 g) potato gnocchi
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat until it turns a deep, nutty brown. Just before it’s ready, add garlic, thyme, sage, and red pepper flakes. Remove from heat, stir in lemon zest, and pour into a bowl.
12 tbsps (168 g) butter, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp (3 g) fresh thyme, 1 tbsp (3 g) fresh sage, 1 tsp (1 g) red pepper flakes, 2 tsps (4 g) lemon zest
Toast the pine nuts and walnuts in the same skillet with any remaining butter for 2 to 3 minutes until golden. Remove and set aside.
⅓ cup (45 g) pine nuts, ⅓ cup (35 g) coarsely chopped walnuts
Heat olive oil in the skillet. Add broccolini, season with salt and pepper, and cook over medium-low heat until tender and lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
2 tsps (10 ml) olive oil, 1 large bunch broccolini, sea salt, black pepper
Return the skillet to medium heat. Toss the gnocchi in the brown butter sauce until warmed through and crispy in spots.
Place burrata on a platter or plates and cut it open to release the creamy center. Add lemon juice, salt, pepper, and drizzle with pesto.
8 oz (227 g) burrata cheese, lemon juice, ⅓ cup (85 g) basil pesto
Spoon the gnocchi over the burrata, add toasted nuts and broccolini, and finish with parmesan and fresh thyme. Serve immediately.
fresh parmesan and fresh thyme

Notes

How to Make Brown Butter:

Use a light-colored or stainless steel skillet so you can see the butter change color. Add the butter over medium heat and let it melt, stirring now and then. As it melts, it will foam while the water cooks off. Keep stirring and watch for the milk solids to turn golden brown. When it smells nutty and caramel-like, take it off the heat right away so it does not burn. I like to pour it into a heatproof bowl to stop the cooking. Use it immediately or let it cool and save for later.

Store-bought gnocchi keeps things quick. If you make your own, keep them small so they cook evenly.
Toast the nuts in the same skillet as the brown butter so they pick up all that flavor.
Let the burrata sit out so it’s at room temp when you cut it open.
Go light on the lemon juice, just enough to cut the richness without taking over.
Cooking for a crowd works, just brown the butter in batches so it doesn’t burn.

For optimal outcomes when preparing this gnocchi with burrata and pesto, it's recommended to refer to the recipe details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes, expert tips and frequently asked questions, that are not presented in the recipe card, often including how to make this recipe dairy-free, gluten free or vegan and ideas for healthy ingredient substitutions or variations.

The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select.

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