Gnocchi with Summer Vegetables

{Meatless Monday}

This is a recipe I got out of Martha Stewart Everyday Food...I LOVE that magazine. They have so many great vegetarian ideas (and way too many scrumptious desserts)!

Some people might not know what gnocchi is...first of all, I am almost 100% positive it is pronounced "nyo-kee" with a long "o" sound. It is an italian pasta made out of potato, egg, and flour. It has a squishy texture...but I have always loved it.

I actually bought gnocchi this time because I thought it HAD to be better than the homemade gnocchi I've made before. But my family actually said they prefer the taste and texture of my homemade whole-wheat gnocchi. (Sometime soon I will post my Pesto Gnocchi recipe and I will show how to make the homemade gnocchi.)

Here are the ingredients: (I forgot to take the picture until after, so ignore the empty gnocchi container and the remainder of the tomato : )



1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
2 zucchini or summer squash, quartered and sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
course salt and ground pepper
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved (I just used our garden tomato and diced it)
1 pkg. (15-16 oz) gnocchi (recipe called for frozen, but I could only find it in the dry pasta aisle)
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
2 Tablespoons Romano cheese (I just used grated Parmesan)
1 Tablespoon butter
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

In a large skillet, heat oil and add squash and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until squash is tender, 4-5 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook for about 2 minutes more.


Meanwhile, cook gnocchi in a large pot. Drain gnocchi--reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid--and transfer to skillet with veggies. Add enough pasta liquid to create a sauce. Remove from heat and stir in basil, cheese, butter, and lemon juice.


I really liked the fresh taste of the basil and lemon. I will admit that only one of my kids really liked it...but that was more on account of all the veggies than the gnocchi, because they have all eaten my gnocchi before.

When I make this again, I will probably toss in some mushrooms...because I think everything made with vegetables is better with mushrooms in it!