One of my favorite pre-meet rituals growing up was eating a huge bowl of pasta the night before a swim meet. This creamy and delicious energy-boosting pasta has it all. Heart-healthy olive oil and muscle-repairing Parmesan cheese, packed with vitamins and antioxidants from tomatoes, onions, and garlic to help keep your immune system in top shape! Step up your “carb load” with this delicious Gnocchi Alla Vodka dish!
Ingredients:
- 1 package gnocchi (1lb)
2 tbs butter- 2 tbs olive oil
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup parmesan cheese (or to taste)
- 4 cloves garlic (diced)
- 1 white onion (diced)
- ½ cup tomato paste
- 2 tbs vodka (adds depth to the sauce, recipe works with or without it!)
- 2 tsp red pepper flakes (or to taste)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves
Let’s Cook!
Cook gnocchi in boiling water and strain. The gnocchi will float to the top of the water when it is fully cooked. Strain water.
While the gnocchi is cooking…
- Heat a pan to medium, add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add diced garlic and red pepper flakes, cook for another minute, turn down the heat and stir frequently so the garlic doesn’t burn
- Add tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly
- Add vodka (if desired) and a spoonful of pasta water, cook for 1 minute, incorporating all of the ingredients
- Turn down heat to a low setting and add heavy cream, stir constantly to incorporate ingredients, turn heat off when sauce thickens
- Stir in parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir in the desired amount of basil leaves.
- Add gnocchi to the sauce
- Serve with extra basil and parmesan…enjoy!