Spicy and Creamy Tomato Gnocchi

This Spicy and Creamy Tomato Gnocchi is rich and decadent, packed with flavor, and comes together easily using the oven for the ultimate summer pasta that’s truly hassle-free.

If you’re a lover of pasta, especially chewy pillowy gnocchi, but need a no-fuss recipe that’s low effort and big flavor — this Spicy and Creamy Tomato Gnocchi is about to become one of your all-time favorites. The caramelized, nutty roasted garlic and sweet tomatoes create a jammy, decadent sauce that’s mouthwatering and simply satisfying. And while it’s incredibly easy to make mainly using a sheet pan in the oven, it feels restaurant-quality, so it’s perfect for weeknights or casual entertaining.

The key to making this dish so flavorful, yet easy for any level of cook to prepare, is by roasting the tomatoes and garlic. This brings out their natural sugars and helps to make a sauce without any stirring on the stovetop. It’s truly a hands-free tomato sauce, just toss with gnocchi and serve. If you like this flavor-packed dish, try some of these other gnocchi favorites. We love this bright and easy Lemon Garlic Confit Pasta and try our Pumpkin Garlic Confit Gnocchi for a delicious, seasonal spin.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Minimal Prep: This simple recipe requires very little effort; there’s next to no prep and mostly hands-off cooking involved. Let the oven work its magic, then dinner is served,
• Deep, Roasted Flavor: There’s nothing quite like the robust, sweet and nutty flavor from deeply roasted garlic confit. Mixed into a rich, creamy pasta, it’s decadent and makes the whole dish irresistible.
• Naturally Creamy: With the jammy, burst cherry tomatoes and the creamy, spreadable roasted garlic, this pasta dish is decadent and creamy, but without any added heavy cream or extra dairy.
• Customizable Spice Level: Add as much or as little of the Calabrian chili crisp as you’d like. This recipe is easy to adjust and customize to your liking.
• Uses Simple Pantry Ingredients: Made with just a handful of flavorful, good quality ingredients you likely already have on hand, you can whip up this gnocchi any time, in no time.
• Restaurant-Worthy with Little Effort: With a rich, glossy sauce and bursting with umami flavor, this dish is restaurant quality, at-home, with minimal effort. It’s the perfect amount of fancy, but actually very simple to make.

Ingredients

For The Tomato Garlic Confit:

• Garlic: Slow roasted, the whole head transforms from sharp and pungent to mellow, sweet, nutty, and unbelievably creamy.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet, fresh, and bursting with jammy flavor and texture.
• Olive Oil: Use a high-quality, fruity, extra-virgin olive oil.
• Lemon Rind: For added brightness.
• Salt & Pepper: Season generously, always.

For the Butter:

• Garlic Tomato Confit: Flavor-packed and the star of the show, ingredients and method are included here.
• Butter: We suggest using unsalted to control the sodium in this dish.
• Lemon Juice: For brightness, use freshly squeezed. There’s no substitution.
• Alessi Calabrian Chili Crisp: Garlic-forward, savory, and just the amount of heat. Use as much or as little as you’d like. Or, use another brand of your choice.
• Salt & Pepper: Seasoning is always key.

To Assemble:

• Gnocchi: Soft, tender and pillowy. Use your favorite fresh or shelf-stable potato variety.
• Pasta Water: Reserve the starchy “liquid gold” to help create that glossy sauce.
• Parmesan: Sharp and nutty, freshly grate your own.
• Basil: A fresh and fragrant finishing touch.
• Red Pepper Flakes: For a kick and some spice, use as much or as little as you’d like.

How To Make Creamy Tomato Gnocchi

1. Preheat oven and prepare a baking dish.

2. Add tomatoes, garlic cloves, olive oil, and seasonings.

3. Roast until tomatoes burst and garlic is soft and golden.

4. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente.

5. Blend the roasted garlic, tomatoes and butter into a sauce.

6. Toss pasta with the sauce, adding pasta water as needed.

7. Finish with herbs, cheese, and extra chili flakes.

Expert Tips

• Use High-Quality Olive Oil: It’s worth it to choose a good, flavorful, fruity extra-virgin olive oil for the best taste. As a key ingredient in a recipe calling for just a few ingredients, it makes all the difference.
• Don’t Rush the Roasting: Roasted garlic develops a deep, melt-in-your-mouth, one-of-a-kind flavor and texture because it roasts low and slow. You can’t rush the process. Let it really cook for that perfect mellow, sweet caramelization and flavor.
• Reserve Pasta Water: They call it “liquid gold” for a reason! Save a cup or so of the starchy cooking water to gradually add in. This will create that silky, glossy sauce.
• Lightly Mash Garlic: It won’t take much, since the garlic transforms into a soft, spreadable consistency, so give it a quick mash for an extra creamy texture in the sauce.
• Adjust Spice Level: Make this dish as hot or mild as you’d like by increasing or decreasing the red pepper flakes.
• Finish with Fresh Herbs: For a bright and fresh finishing touch.
• Add Protein: Bulk this pasta dish up with simply grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, chickpeas or your favorite protein of choice.

Variations

• Make It Mild: Skip or reduce the red pepper flakes for a slightly milder version with less kick, but just as much flavor.
• Extra Creamy: Add burrata, a few dollops of ricotta, or stir in a splash of cream to make this rich dish even creamier and more indulgent.
• Go Vegan: Feel free to skip the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
• Make It Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta, there are so many tasty options available.

What To Serve With Spicy Tomato Garlic Confit Pasta

This pasta is perfect on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with simple sides, or as part of a larger meal. Here are our favorites to serve it with.

• Simple arugula salad or Caesar salad
• Crusty bread
• Shaved Fennel Salad
• Zucchini Salad with Lemony Fried Capers
• Green Goddess Salad
• Roasted vegetables: asparagus or broccoli
• Simply seasoned chicken breast, chicken cutlets or sautéed shrimp

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–5 days. Reheat on the stove over medium with a splash of water, broth or cream, or even a drizzle of olive oil to loosen the sauce. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and serve once hot. Alternatively, you can microwave the pasta in short intervals, stirring in between.

You can freeze this gnocchi dish for 1-2 months, but the creamy sauce can turn grainy or separate once thawed, so it’s not ideal to do so. We recommend eating this fresh, if possible. If enjoying from frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stovetop as instructed above.

Prep some of the components in advance to save time — roast the tomato and garlic confit ahead of time, cool completely, then refrigerate until you’re ready to use. You can fully make the sauce ahead of time, too, and then reheat when it’s time to eat. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or cream, or a drizzle of olive oil, then serve with freshly cooked gnocchi for the best texture.

FAQs

More Easy Pasta Recipes

• Boursin Pasta Bake with Olives and Cherry Tomatoes
• Creamy Balsamic Shell Pasta with Shiitake Mushrooms and Herbs
• Pesto Stuffed Shells
• Roasted Garlic and Vegetable Pasta with Goat Cheese and Capers