Name: 30 Minute Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 6 to 8 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed; 2 pints cherry tomatoes; 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional); 1 tsp. kosher salt; 1/2 tsp. freshly cracked black pepper; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 2 (16-oz.) packages potato gnocchi (DeLallo brand recommended); 2 (4-oz.) balls fresh burrata cheese; 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, sliced or torn

Jump to Recipe

If you are craving a cozy, indulgent meal that comes together in no time, the 30 Minute Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata is about to become your new favorite go-to. Imagine tender pillows of gnocchi enveloped in a luscious, velvety tomato cream sauce, bursting with fresh cherry tomatoes and garlic, and finished with the dreamy richness of fresh burrata. It’s a delightful balance of comforting textures and vibrant flavors that can satisfy your taste buds any night of the week without the fuss of complicated prep.

30 Minute Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are wonderfully simple yet essential for building layers of flavor, texture, and color in this dish. Each element plays a unique role—garlic infuses aroma, cherry tomatoes provide a sweet tang, and burrata lends a creamy finish that elevates everything to next-level comfort food.

Extra-virgin olive oil (1/4 cup): The base for sautéing garlic and tomatoes, it adds a fruity richness.
Garlic cloves (6 to 8, peeled and lightly crushed): Brings pungent warmth and depth to the sauce.
Cherry tomatoes (2 pints): Their natural sweetness breaks down into a jammy sauce packed with fresh flavor.
Red pepper flakes (1/2 tsp, optional): A gentle kick that wakes up the palate without overpowering.
Kosher salt (1 tsp): Essential for enhancing all the ingredients’ natural flavors.
Freshly cracked black pepper (1/2 tsp): A subtle spice that rounds out the seasoning.
Heavy cream (1/2 cup): Creates that characteristic creamy texture that makes the sauce indulgent.
Potato gnocchi (2 packages, 16-oz each): Pillowy, soft dumplings that soak up the sauce beautifully—you want quality gnocchi for the best results.
Fresh burrata cheese (2 balls, 4 oz each): Silky, luscious cheese that melts over the hot gnocchi, adding luxury.
Fresh basil leaves (1/2 cup, sliced or torn): Adds bright herbal freshness and gorgeous color to finish.

How to Make 30 Minute Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce Base

First, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil while gently heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the lightly crushed garlic cloves, cooking just until fragrant—this imparts a subtle garlicky aroma without burning. Next, turn up the heat to medium, add the cherry tomatoes, and let them cook until they burst and soften into a jammy sauce. Stir occasionally, and be patient—it takes about 10 to 12 minutes for that perfect texture to develop. Season with salt, black pepper, and if you like a touch of heat, add red pepper flakes. Lastly, reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream, which transforms the sauce into the silky, creamy base for your gnocchi.

Step 2: Cook the Gnocchi

While your sauce is ongoing, cook the potato gnocchi in the boiling salted water according to the package instructions until just al dente—means tender with a slight bite. Reserve about half a cup of that starchy pasta water before draining. This water is liquid gold for tying the sauce and gnocchi together with a glossy finish.

Step 3: Combine and Finish

Transfer the cooked gnocchi along with the reserved pasta water into the skillet with your creamy tomato sauce. Toss everything continuously for about two minutes over medium heat—this will help thicken the sauce as it clings beautifully to every pillowy bite. Stir in most of your fresh basil leaves, leaving some aside for garnish. Then, break the burrata balls into chunks and scatter them evenly on top. As those silky, oozy pieces melt slightly into the warm gnocchi, you know dinner is served!

How to Serve 30 Minute Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata

Garnishes

To really make your dish pop, sprinkle the remaining fresh basil leaves on top for a vibrant green contrast and an herbal lift. A drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil right before serving can add a brilliant sheen and enhance the richness of every bite. For an optional touch, freshly cracked black pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes can be sprinkled on for an added spark.

Side Dishes

This creamy, comforting main pairs beautifully with light, fresh sides. A simple arugula salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness and refreshes the palate. You can also serve crusty garlic bread alongside to sop up every last bit of sauce. Roasted or grilled vegetables like asparagus or broccoli add a nice textural contrast and some healthy greens to the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party or a cozy date night, serve this dish in wide, shallow bowls to showcase the creamy sauce and melty burrata chunks. Garnish with whole basil leaves for an elegant touch. You could also spoon the gnocchi onto a large platter and place torn pieces of burrata around the edges, letting guests help themselves for a casual, inviting vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can store any leftover 30 Minute Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that burrata is best fresh, so store leftover gnocchi and sauce separately without the cheese to maintain texture and flavor integrity.

Freezing

This dish is best enjoyed fresh since the cream sauce and burrata don’t freeze well—the texture of cream and fresh cheese changes upon thawing. However, if you have leftover cooked gnocchi, you can freeze them alone for future quick meals. Just thaw and refresh with a fast sauce later.

Reheating

Reheat refrigerated leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often and adding a splash of cream or reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce as it warms. Avoid microwave reheating burrata; instead, add fresh burrata or mozzarella on top just before serving to revive that creamy melt-in-your-mouth sensation.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought gnocchi for this recipe?

Absolutely! Store-bought gnocchi works wonderfully here and saves you a ton of time without sacrificing flavor. Just cook according to the package instructions and toss it right into your creamy tomato sauce.

Is there a substitute for burrata if I can’t find it?

If burrata is hard to find, fresh mozzarella is a great alternative. It won’t be quite as creamy inside, but it will still add lovely richness and melt beautifully over the gnocchi.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

You can make a vegan version by swapping the heavy cream for coconut cream or cashew cream, and replacing burrata with a dairy-free cheese or a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts for richness.

How spicy is this dish?

The red pepper flakes are optional and used sparingly, so the dish has just a gentle warmth if included. You can adjust or omit according to your spice preference without impacting the overall creamy goodness.

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

The sauce can be prepared a few hours ahead and gently reheated before adding gnocchi and burrata. However, for the best texture and flavor, it’s ideal to toss the gnocchi in the sauce fresh and add burrata right before serving.

Final Thoughts

If you want a meal that feels like a warm hug but comes together faster than you’d expect, the 30 Minute Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata is a total winner. It’s the perfect balance of creamy, fresh, and comforting, making it an instant classic in your weeknight rotation. Trust me, once you make this dish, it will become your ultimate quick-fix comfort food that everyone will ask you to make again and again.

30 Minute Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 16 reviews

Author: Charlotte
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A quick and comforting 30-minute recipe for creamy tomato gnocchi topped with fresh burrata cheese, bursting with flavors of garlic, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. This dish combines tender potato gnocchi in a luscious tomato cream sauce, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.

Instructions

Prepare the sauce: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. While waiting, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes, being careful not to burn it. Increase heat to medium and add the cherry tomatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most tomatoes break down and the sauce becomes jammy, about 10 to 12 minutes. If garlic begins to burn, reduce heat back to medium-low. Season the sauce with red pepper flakes (optional), kosher salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream until combined.
Cook the gnocchi: Once the water boils, add the gnocchi and cook according to package instructions until they are al dente, usually about 2 to 3 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the gnocchi.
Combine gnocchi and sauce: Transfer the drained gnocchi and reserved cooking water to the skillet with the tomato cream sauce. Toss continuously over medium heat for about 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, coating the gnocchi well. Stir in most of the fresh basil, saving some for garnish.
Add burrata and serve: Break the burrata balls into small pieces and scatter them evenly over the gnocchi. Remove the skillet from heat and garnish with the reserved basil leaves. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.

Notes

For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes according to your preference.
If fresh burrata is unavailable, fresh mozzarella can be used as a substitute.
Make sure to reserve some pasta cooking water; the starch helps thicken the sauce and bind it to the gnocchi.
The dish is best served immediately to enjoy the creamy texture and fresh cheese.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Boiling, Sautéing
Cuisine: Italian