Recipes, Guides, Lifestyles by GRATSI

Gnocchetti pasta with pesto sauce
EAT

ANNA'S KITCHEN

Gnocchetti pasta with pesto sauce

Homemade from scratch. Sipped slowly. Shared with love.

By Anna Prezio

 |  

April 11, 2025

Gnocchetti pasta with pesto sauce

By Anna Prezio

Ingredients

  • Pasta Ingredients:

  • 4

    cups all-purpose flour

  • 2

    eggs

  • 6

    oz room temperature water

  • Pinch of salt

  • Pesto Ingredients:

  • 3

    cups fresh basil leaves

  • 1

    cup bocconcini cheese

  • 2

    tbsp pine nuts

  • 2

    tbsp grated Parmigiano Reggiano

  • 3

    tbsp olive oil

  • 1/2

    cup cherry tomatoes

  • Salt and pepper to taste

TOTAL TIME

1 hour

2 servings

Freshly made gnocchetti pasta, tossed in a vibrant homemade basil pesto, gently warmed with sweet cherry tomatoes and finished with creamy bocconcini this is the kind of meal that feels like summer in every bite.

The pesto bursts with the fragrance of hand-picked basil, toasted pine nuts, and aged Parmigiano, perfectly coating every delicate piece of pasta. And when paired with a chilled glass of Gratsi White, the pairing is nothing short of perfection. The wine’s bright, crisp notes cut beautifully through the richness of the cheese and olive oil, while enhancing the freshness of the basil and tomato.

Whether you're gathering with family or enjoying a quiet dinner al fresco, this dish and wine combo brings the essence of Italy to your table elegant, simple, and full of heart.

A wooden countertop displays bowls filled with ingredients, including mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, spinach, white beans, shredded cheese, flour, seasonings, eggs, and a glass of water, ready for cooking.

STEP 1

Prepare the Pesto:

In a food processor, blend basil, bocconcini, pine nuts, Parmigiano, olive oil, and cherry tomatoes until just combined do not overmix. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.

A food processor containing freshly blended green pesto sits on a white kitchen counter. The pesto is visibly textured with chopped herbs and ingredients around the blade.

STEP 2

Make the Dough:

In a stand mixer, combine flour, eggs, water, and salt. Mix until a dough forms. Wrap in plastic and let rest for 15 minutes.

STEP 3

Shape the Gnocchetti:

Lightly flour your work surface. Knead the dough briefly, then roll into thin logs. Cut into small pieces and shape into gnocchetti (see video for technique). Arrange on a floured tray.

Close-up of a person shaping ridged pasta with a wooden board on a wooden surface. Several pieces of pasta are finished, and the person is wearing a white apron with a yellow floral pattern.

STEP 4

Cook the Pasta:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook gnocchetti for 10–12 minutes until tender.

A split image: on the left, pesto sauce and cherry tomatoes simmer in a pan; on the right, cooked pasta is mixed with pesto, tomatoes, and mozzarella in the same pan. Ingredients and bowls are visible in the background.

STEP 5

Finish the Dish:

In a pan over medium heat, warm a drizzle of olive oil with cherry tomatoes and the pesto. Turn off the heat. Drain the pasta and add directly to the pan. Toss gently to combine, add extra bocconcini, and finish with a sprinkle of Parmigiano.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

A person in a white shirt and yellow apron holds a white bowl of gnocchi with pesto sauce, cherry tomatoes, and grated cheese over a wooden countertop in a kitchen.

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