Food and Recipes Dinner Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas Recipe 4.6 (7) 7 Reviews Shake up your usual pasta night with this comforting, delicious dish. Potato gnocchi is a great alternative to pasta—and possibly even better when crisped up in a pan. Gnocchi, or Italian dumplings, can be made with potatoes, semolina, cornmeal, wheat flour, or similar ingredients. Toasting is the key to store-bought gnocchi. Although the package directions call for it to be boiled in salted water, sauté the gnocchi in a pan with a little butter and oil until they are golden brown on the outside and hot and tender on the inside. Then, much like pasta, these toasty little nuggets can be flavored in almost any way imaginable. We like this fresh springtime riff, with sweet peas, parsley, lemon, and parmesan cheese. But you can add your favorite vegetables and herbs, tomato or pesto sauce, or even some protein like sautéed shrimp or sliced grilled chicken. Whatever you choose, you'll have a satisfying dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less. Shake up the weekend pot of chicken and dumplings and toss in a package of gnocchi instead of making dumplings. Or, for a Southern flair, use one of the region's favorite root vegetables and make sweet potatoes dumplings; these pillowy, gnocchi-like dumplings will give your pot of chicken soup a big boost of nutrition. Gnocchi is also a great substitute for pasta in family favorite dishes like mac and cheese. By Lisa Cericola Lisa Cericola Lisa Cericola has been on staff at Southern Living since 2015. As Deputy Editor, Lisa manages the food and travel departments and edits those sections of each issue, as well as digital content. Previously, she was the features editor at Food Network Magazine and has more than 15 years of experience writing, editing, and managing photo shoots for print and digital lifestyle brands. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on February 10, 2017 Rate PRINT Share Close Photo: Victor Protasio Active Time: 30 mins Total Time: 30 mins Yield: 6 serves Jump to Nutrition Facts Ingredients 1/4 cup salted butter, divided 1 (16-oz.) package potato gnocchi 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 1 large garlic clove) 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme 1 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 (10-oz.) package frozen sweet peas, thawed, or 1 1/2 cups shelled fresh sweet peas 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 1 Tbsp. fresh juice (from 1 lemon) 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/2 cup) Directions Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high; add gnocchi, and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned all over, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and thyme, and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add broth, salt, and pepper; bring to a simmer, and cook until reduced by about half, 4 to 5 minutes. Add peas, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, and remaining 2 tablespoons butter; cook, stirring constantly, until butter melts, about 1 minute. Top with Parmesan, and serve immediately. Rate It Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 407 Calories 16g Fat 53g Carbs 13g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Calories 407 % Daily Value * Total Fat 16g 21% Total Carbohydrate 53g 19% Dietary Fiber 6g 23% Protein 13g 26% *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.