Jump to Recipe

Crispy Gnocchi with Peas, Asparagus and Lemon is seasonal comfort food at it’s best. Gnocchi is browned in butter with tender asparagus, fresh peas, basil, lemon zest and Parmesan cheese.

A white bowl filled with crispy gnocchi mixed with fresh asparagus and peas

I don’t know what to tell you first about this dish. That it is a one-pan meal, or its  ready in under 15 minutes! To make it even easier, the gnocchi is seared in butter and browned to give them a crispy exterior and still retain its soft inside. No,  you don’t have to boil it first!

Which gnocchi is best?

All gnocchi works for this recipe. Homemade, frozen or the shrink-wrapped store bought/shelf stable gnocchi.

This crispy gnocchi with peas, asparagus and lemon recipe is all about light, spring produce and cooking with my two favorite vegetables are asparagus and fresh peas.

1 gnocchi on a fork with asparagus and peas

I also love making my own gnocchi. I recently made a video tutorial on How to Make Gnocchi (< click text for link) and you’ll see, it’s not as difficult as you think and homemade is so much lighter that what you can buy.   If you think I’m crazy and there is no way you’re attempting to make your own gnocchi, use any store bought that you like.

A silver tray of freshly made gnocchi

I kept the other flavors to a minimum by only using no garlic and no onion. Instead, I opted for fresh lemon and basil, all fresh, bright flavors to complement the fresh asparagus and sweet peas. All the flavors working together rather than a dominance of just one.

A closeup showing the brown and crispy gnocchi and vibrant green asparagus and peas

If you’ve tried this Crispy Gnocchi with Peas, Asparagus and Lemon  or any other recipe on the blog, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know it turned out in the comments below. I love to hear from my readers!

Yield: 4

Crispy Gnocchi with Peas, Asparagus and Lemon

Green asparagus and peas with crispy gnocchi in a white bowl

Gnocchi is browned in butter with tender asparagus, fresh peas, basil, lemon zest and Parmesan cheese.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 16 ounces (454 grams) homemade or packaged gnocchi. fresh or frozen
  • 1 pound (453 grams) asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup (150 grams) fresh or frozen peas
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 basil leaves, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
  • 4 ounces (45 grams) Parmesan cheese, grated plus more for garnish

Instructions

  1. Add the butter to a large sauté pan over medium heat.  When the butter bubbles add the gnocchi (no need to pre-boil. If using frozen, no need to defrost first) and cook for 2 minutes per side until browned, remove from the pan.
  2. To the pan add the asparagus and peas, toss and cook for 3-5 minutes until the asparagus is tender. Add the salt, pepper, basil, lemon zest and add the gnocchi back into the pan, mix well. Turn off the heat, mix in the Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
  3. Serve with more cheese.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

4 ounces
Amount Per Serving Calories 506Total Fat 21gSaturated Fat 12gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 88mgSodium 706mgCarbohydrates 61gFiber 7gSugar 4gProtein 20g
© Culinary Ginger
Cuisine: Italian / Category: Dinner Ideas

Asparagus, Ricotta and Mint Tartlets

A closeup showing asparagus sprigs on top of a puff pastry tartlet