5 Minute Romesco Gnocchi Sauce Recipe (2024)

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This 5-minute romesco gnocchi sauce recipe is bursting with flavor. Serve it up with packaged gnocchi for a fast and easy dinner recipe in just 15 minutes!

5 Minute Romesco Gnocchi Sauce Recipe (1)

If you know our cookbookPretty Simple Cooking, you’ll know that Alex and my philosophy is against 5-minute this and 10-minute that. Why? If quick cooking time is the most important thing about a recipe, it cheapens the cooking process. It makes it seem like cooking is just about finding the magical super fast recipes, and not investing time in skills that deepen flavor.

However,sometimes life necessitates a quick dinner. Many requests come into our inbox like the following from reader Jean:“I struggle to put something healthyish on the table at lightning speed every night. I’d love to see a round up of some of your favorite crazy-fast meals.” Her request is the impetus for this 5 minute gnocchi sauce recipe: and it comes together into a dinner recipe in 15 minutes flat. Keep reading for the gnocchi sauce recipe.

Related: Easy Vegetarian Recipes for Beginners | Homemade Ricotta Gnocchi

5 Minute Romesco Gnocchi Sauce Recipe (2)

How to make romesco gnocchi sauce

In the vein of “healthyish recipes at lightening speed”, here is our 5-minute gnocchi sauce recipe! It comes together with the gnocchi in just 15 minutes. I know what you’re thinking:Does it really take 15 minutes to make?Well, it does depend on your cooking style. But, here are the facts.

I made this gnocchi sauce recipeby myself between 5:54 and 6:09 on a Thursday night. True story.It requires no chopping and minimal “cooking.” The gnocchi sauce recipe takes 5 minutes to blend and the packaged gnocchi boils for 3 minutes. Because we wanted to add some leafy greens to this recipe to add nutrients, we’ve included a “trick” that we like to use as a time saver! Instead of cooking the spinach, we use the hot pasta water to quickly wilt it when draining the pasta. Combine the wilted spinach with the gnocchi sauce and cooked gnocchi and you’ve got dinner!

Though this recipe takes only 15 minutes, we’d suggest serving it with a salad, which would add a few minutes of prep time. This could also help to stretch the serving size: we found it fed me, Alex and Larson without leftovers, so we’d say the serving size is modest. You could also 1.5 to 2x the gnocchi, since the gnocchi sauce makes enough for a double recipe. Another great 15 minute gnocchi meal is our Easy Creamy Gnocchi, which we’d highly recommend as well!

Related: This recipe is included in our 28 Day Healthy Meal Plan

5 Minute Romesco Gnocchi Sauce Recipe (3)

What are healthyish recipes?

Explain healthyish?To us, healthyish recipes are whole food meals prepared in your own kitchen. Gnocchi is Italian “pasta” that is made with potatoes and flour.Typically pasta isn’t considered health food, but good news: a new study foundpasta can actually help you lose weight. The Italian researchers found that eaten in moderation, pasta can be part of a healthy diet.

As noted above, to the pasta, we’ve added some colorful veg: spinach and a romesco gnocchi sauce made of tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and almonds. This recipe is a vegan dinner fully plant-based as the feta crumbles are optional. It’s also gluten-free if you can find gluten-free gnocchi, or you can use gluten-free pasta. Per above, we’d suggest serving with a green salad.

Want more with almonds? We’ve got 15 great almond recipes for you to try.

This recipe is…

This 5 minute gnocchi sauce recipe is vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free (modification below), plant-based, and dairy-free.

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5 Minute Romesco Gnocchi Sauce Recipe (4)

Romesco Gnocchi Sauce Recipe

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  • Author: a Couple Cooks
  • Prep Time: 12 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 3 to 4 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This 5-minute romesco gnocchi sauce recipe is bursting with flavor. Serve it up with packaged gnocchi for a fast and easy dinner recipe in just 15 minutes!

Ingredients

Scale

For the gnocchi sauce (recipe uses 1 cup)

  • 1 cup roasted almonds
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 15-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 2 large roasted red peppers from a jar
  • ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

For the gnocchi

  • 1 pound packaged gnocchi (our favorite gnocchi is vegan; for gluten-free, use gluten free gnocchi)
  • 3 cups baby spinach leaves (or chopped standard spinach)
  • 1 cup romesco sauce
  • ¼ cup feta cheese crumbles, optional
  • Kosher salt
  • Fresh ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil, seasoned with about 1 tablespoon kosher salt.
  2. Make the gnocchi sauce:Peel the garlic. In a blender or food processor, process all ingredients until smooth. Taste and add additional seasonings if desired.
  3. Once the water is boiling, add the gnocchi and boil until they float, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, line a colander with spinach leaves. When the gnocchi are done, pour them into the colander with the spinach so that the boiling water wilts the spinach. Then pour the cooked gnocchi and spinach back into the pot and stir to a few times to evenly distribute the spinach.
  5. Add 1 cup of the romesco sauce to the pot and stir. (Reserve and refrigerate the remaining 1 ½ cups for up to 1 week.)
  6. For vegan, top with fresh ground black pepper. For vegetarian, top with black pepper and feta crumbles. If desired, add a drizzle of olive oil.
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: Gnocchi Sauce, Romesco, Gnocchi Sauce Recipe, Italian, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gnocchi, Quick

Looking for fast and easy dinner recipes?

Outside of this 5 minute gnocchi sauce recipe, here are some of our favorite fast and easy dinner recipes on A Couple Cooks:

  • Vegan Pesto Pasta
  • Thai Curry Pizza
  • Pasta Puttanesca
  • Supremely Simple Refried Black Beans(serve in tacos or with eggs)
  • 5-Minute Pesto Arugula Sandwich
  • Everything Bagel Pasta
  • Broiled Salmon with Bourbon Glaze
  • All Easy Dinner Ideas!

vegan vegetarian

Published on / Last updated on

Categorized In:

  • Dinner Recipes
  • Fast Dinner Ideas
  • Recipes

Tagged with:

  • Almonds
  • Dairy-Free
  • Easy
  • Feta
  • Garlic
  • Healthy
  • Italian
  • Mediterranean
  • Quick
  • Red Peppers
  • Seriously Simple
  • Spinach
  • Tomatoes
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Weeknight Meal

About the authors

5 Minute Romesco Gnocchi Sauce Recipe (5)

Sonja & Alex

Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes for memorable kitchen moments! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.

About Us

5 Minute Romesco Gnocchi Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is romesco sauce made of? ›

Romesco is a rich Spanish sauce of charred tomatoes and roasted red peppers, puréed and thickened with toasted almonds and bread. The flavors are further sharpened with the addition of raw garlic, vinegar, chile powder or red pepper flakes (adjust the heat to your liking).

Can you buy ready made romesco sauce? ›

Original Romesco by Ronda's Fine Foods | Dip, Sauce, Spread | 9.0 oz Jar | Gourmet, Small-Batch | Savory & Robust Taste | Almonds, Pure Olive Oil, Roasted Red Peppers, Spices | Versatile Condiment | Charcuterie.

What goes with Romesco? ›

Here are a few ideas to get you started: Spoon it over roasted vegetables like roasted cauliflower, broccoli, roasted potatoes, or Brussels sprouts. Dollop it onto your favorite grilled vegetables. I love it with scallions, leeks, asparagus, zucchini, potatoes, and these mixed veggie skewers.

What do you do with Trader Joe's romesco dip? ›

It's plant-based dip for your veggies or crackers. It's a nutty sauce for your pasta or other grains. It's a tangy topper for your meal's main event.

What is another name for romesco sauce? ›

Romesco sauce is used in many ways and is sometimes referred to as Spanish ketchup. It can be used to flavor and thicken stews, especially seafood stews. If served as a condiment, it's served at room temperature.

Why is it called Romesco sauce? ›

Origins of Romesco Sauce Romesco originates from Tarragona in Southern Catalonia. The term 'romesco' comes from the Mozarabic “remescolar,” meaning "to mix." This sauce was first made by fishermen in the 15th century using simple ingredients like garlic, dry peppers, olive oil, dry bread, and wine.

What does romesco sauce taste like? ›

What does Romesco sauce taste like? Romesco has a lightly sweet and zippy flavor, with hints of garlic and smoky flavors, and a touch of spice. It's once of those sauces that adds the perfect amount of flavor to almost any dish.

Where did Romesco sauce originated? ›

Romesco (Catalan pronunciation: [ruˈmɛsku]) is a tomato-based sauce that originated from Valls, province of Tarragona, in Catalonia, Spain. The fishermen in this area made this sauce to be eaten with fish.

Is canned tomato sauce the same as jarred? ›

Canned tomato sauce is generally less expensive than jarred sauce, but there is a difference in freshness and flavor. It is also more portable and easier to store, as it does not require refrigeration until it is opened. Both options can be tasty and convenient choices for adding flavor to your meals.

What is the difference between Romanesco and Romesco? ›

Confusing? One thing that Romesco and Romanesco have in common is that both are from the Mediterranean. Romesco is a Spanish sauce and Romanesco is an Italian 16th-century heirloom type of cauliflower in the cruciferous family that includes cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and kale.

What sauce is made from bell peppers? ›

This post may contain affiliate links. Made with roasted red peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes, nuts and a handful of seasonings, this Easy Romesco Sauce adds a burst of flavor to any dish. The perfect addition to chicken, fish or grilled veggies, and great for dipping too!

What is Calabrian chili romesco sauce? ›

Spanish Romesco Sauce Recipe
  1. 12 oz jar roasted red peppers drained.
  2. 2/3 cup raw slivered almonds.
  3. 1/2 shallot thinly sliced.
  4. 2 cloves garlic peeled and thinly sliced.
  5. 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika.
  6. 2 teaspoons Calabrian chili paste.
  7. 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar.
  8. 1 teaspoon honey.

What are the ingredients in Trader Joe's romesco? ›

Ingredients. Roasted Red Peppers (red Peppers, Water, Salt, Grape Must Tomatoes (tomatoes, Tomato Juice, Sea Salt, Calcium Chloride), Garlic Almonds, Olive Oil, Almond Butter (dry Roasted Almonds), Redwin Vinegar Parsley, Sea Salt, Crushed Red Pepper, Paprika (for Color And Spice).

What is the bell for at Trader Joe's? ›

One bell lets our Crew know when to open another register. Two bells mean there are additional questions that need to be answered at the checkout. Three bells call over a manager-type person.

What's the point of Trader Joe's? ›

Trader Joe's believes every customer should have access to the best prices on the best products every day. To consistently deliver value: We buy direct from suppliers whenever possible, we bargain hard to get the best price, and then pass the savings on to you.

Does romesco sauce contain nuts? ›

Romesco sauce comes from Tarragona, a Catalonian city just south of Barcelona on Spain's northeastern coast. Its base ingredients usually include nuts—often almonds and/or hazelnuts—tomatoes, dried peppers, garlic, bread, olive oil, and vinegar, all mashed or processed into a paste.

What is the meaning of Romesco? ›

Romesco (Catalan pronunciation: [ruˈmɛsku]) is a tomato-based sauce that originated from Valls, province of Tarragona, in Catalonia, Spain. The fishermen in this area made this sauce to be eaten with fish.

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