Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Peas & Ricotta

I think I finally calmed my sweet tooth down. For now anyways. Do you see all this lovely green? Green = veggies and lovely herbs.

Whenever I think of pasta (or gnocchi), pesto isn't usually the first sauce that jumps to mind. Instead, it's usually some variation of a red or white sauce. Yet every time I have pesto, I can't believe I don't eat it more often. It's so good. (Although it might have to do with the fact that it's close to $6 for a container of pre-made pesto, or $3 for maybe 1/2 a cup of basil. Kind of pricey.)

This week I was going for quick and easy in the kitchen. For some reason I just wasn't in the mood to spend lots of time in the kitchen loving on some dinner. This meal was just the ticket. It pretty much involves boiling water, cooking the gnocchi, then stirring in the remaining ingredients. Pretty dang simple. It easily took me less than 10 minutes to get this on the table after the water came to a boil. That's a win-win recipe for me. Delicious and fast.

Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Peas and Ricotta

Adapted from: Real Simple, September 2008

16 ounces frozen gnocchi
1/2 pound frozen peas
8 ounces (1 cup) pesto
1/4 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup low-fat ricotta
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Place the frozen peas in a small bowl with two tablespoons water. Microwave on high 3-4 minutes or until completely thawed and warm.

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over hight heat. Cook the gnocchi according to the package directions. Drain. Return to pot. Lower heat to medium, and add the pesto and cream and cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir in peas. Serve topped with 1 tablespoon ricotta and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Makes: 4

Seeing as this dish had pesto and gnocchi, I was one happy camper. The trick with the peas for this dish (when heating them from frozen) is to simply thaw them, then cook until warm. I'm pretty sure the packaging mentioned cooking for 4 minutes, stirring, then cooking for another 3. Um, no. A quick 3 or so minutes on high leaves the peas still crisp and fresh. Not some soggy old looking things. I'm not a huge fan of mushy overcooked peas -- or any veggie for that matter, really. But maybe that's just me. :)

Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Calories 527	Calories from fat 341
% Daily Value
Total Fat 37.9g	58%
Saturated Fat 12.1g	61%
Trans Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 56mg	19%
Sodium 876mg	37%
Total Carbs 34.4g	11%
Dietary Fiber 6.2g	26%
Sugars 8.2g
Protein 13.6g
Vitamin A 54%	Vitamin C 15%
Calcium 20%	Iron 15%