Olive Garden's Gnocchi With Spicy Tomato And Wine Sauce

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Make gnocchi night a tradition. This Olive Garden copycat has a serious sauce with parmesan, white wine, and basil bringing full flavor to slow-simmered tomatoes.

photo of Olive Garden's Gnocchi With Spicy Tomato And Wine Sauce

serves/makes:

ready in:
1-2 hrs

ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken broth
2 cans (14.5 ounce size) diced tomatoes
4 tablespoons cold butter, cut in small pieces
1/2 cup freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
salt, to taste
freshly-crushed black pepper, to taste
1 pound gnocchi
freshly-chopped basil, to taste

directions

Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper. Cook, stirring, until the garlic starts to lightly brown.

Add the white wine and chicken broth. Bring the liquid to a simmer and let cook for 10 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and cook for 30 more minutes at a low simmer. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.

Pour the sauce into a blender container along with the butter and Parmesan. Process until smooth.

Adjust the seasoning as needed with salt and pepper. Return the sauce to the saucepan and keep warm over the lowest heat setting.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the gnocchi and cook for 3-4 minutes or until they float to the surface. Remove from the water with a slotted spoon and place in a colander to drain.

Add the gnocchi to the sauce and gently stir. Place the sauced pasta in individual serving bowls and garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese.

recipe tips

Use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil.

Cook the garlic and red pepper flakes until just fragrant to avoid burning.

Simmer the sauce slowly to develop the flavors.

Taste and adjust the seasoning of the sauce before adding the gnocchi.

Cook the gnocchi in plenty of boiling salted water.

Gently stir the gnocchi into the sauce to avoid breaking them.

common recipe questions

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can use other types of pasta like penne or fettuccine, but gnocchi offers a unique texture and is what makes this copycat recipe so special.

Is it necessary to use dry white wine?

Dry white wine adds depth to the sauce, but you can substitute it with more chicken broth if preferred.

Can I make this sauce vegetarian?

Yes, simply replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth.

How do I know when the gnocchi is cooked?

Gnocchi is done when it floats to the surface of the boiling water.

Can I use canned Parmesan cheese?

Freshly-grated Parmesan cheese is recommended for the best flavor and texture.

What can I use instead of red pepper flakes?

You can use a pinch of cayenne pepper or omit it for a milder sauce.

Can I make the sauce in advance?

Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and reheat it when ready to serve.

How should I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently.

Can I freeze this sauce?

Yes, you can freeze the sauce for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

nutrition data

317 calories, 16 grams fat, 23 grams carbohydrates, 9 grams protein per serving.

reviews & comments

Please note:
This is a copy cat recipe submitted to CDKitchen by a third-party. This recipe is not an original recipe unless specifically stated and is considered only to be an acceptable "clone" to the original for the home cook to attempt to duplicate. Please also note that many nationwide restaurant chains vary their menus and ingredients by region so the version provided may not be similar to what you may have tried before. All trademarks referenced are property of their respective owners.

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