What to Serve with Pan Fried Gnocchi (14 BEST Side Dishes)

Have you ever made pan-fried gnocchi?

It’s a great Italian dish that is both easy and impressive.

But what do you serve with it?

Some sides that would go well with pan fried gnocchi are a simple salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables. You could also do a more complex side like sautéed kale or Brussels sprouts. For a heartier meal, you could add grilled chicken or shrimp.

In this article, I’ll go over 14 delicious side dishes to choose from, ranging from simple steamed vegetables to more complex dishes like ratatouille.

See Also:

• 19 Gnocchi Recipes with Meat We Can’t Resist
• Gnocchi Wine Pairing: The Best Wines for Gnocchi
• How Long To Cook Gnocchi

So whether you’re an experienced cook or just starting out, you’re sure to find a recipe that pairs perfectly with your pan-fried gnocchi!

What to Serve with Pan Fried Gnocchi?

There are many options for what to serve with pan fried gnocchi. One option is to simply top the gnocchi with your favorite sauce. Another option is to serve the gnocchi with a side of vegetables. You could also try serving the gnocchi with a side of fruit.

Still looking for ideas?

Well, here are 14 side dishes that go well with pan fried gnocchi:

1. Balsamic Tomato Basil Salad

The flavors in this salad are so delicious, you’ll want to serve it as your main course.

The balsamic vinegar and tomato sauce give the salad a rich and intense flavor, while the basil gives it a nice peppery kick.

To make this dish even more special, top it with some crispy pan fried gnocchi.

Gnocchi are a classic Italian dumpling made from flour and water, which are then boiled until they form a doughy texture.

They’re often served with a savory sauce, such as this balsamic tomato basil sauce.

If you’d like to add some extra flavor to your gnocchi, try using sage or rosemary instead of basil.

2. Arugula Salad with Shaved Parmesan

The parmesan really takes this arugula salad to the next level.

Not only does it add a nice, nutty flavor, but shaving the cheese into small pieces also makes it easier to eat.

If you’re not a big fan of Parmesan, you can substitute another hard Italian cheese like Pecorino Romano or Gorgonzola.

Another great addition to this salad is roasted red peppers.

They add a lovely sweetness and depth of flavor that will complement the bitterness of the arugula perfectly.

For a finishing touch, drizzle some extra-virgin olive oil over the salad and top it with shavings of fresh Parmesan cheese.

3. Garlic Bread

This crunchy, garlic-infused bread is the perfect accompaniment to any pan fried dish.

Whether you’re cooking up a batch of gnocchi or fried chicken, this bread will add tons of flavor and texture.

And, it’s super easy to make:

1. Just preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and combine all of the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Then, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut into desired shapes.
3. Place the dough on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.
4. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce, or store in an airtight container for later use.

4. Sauteed Spinach

Something magical happens when you take spinach and pan fry it.

The leaves get crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, creating a delightful contrast of textures.

You can use any type of oil, but olive oil is a good choice because it has a mild flavor and a high smoke point.

If you don’t have any extra-virgin olive oil available, you can also use vegetable or canola oil.

Once the spinach is cooked, add some garlic and seasonings to taste.

You can use salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, or anything else you like.

Just be sure to add them in small doses so that the spinach doesn’t become overpowering.

In addition to spinach, you can also pan fry other vegetables such as zucchini or mushrooms.

Just be sure to cook them until they are tender but not too mushy.

If you want to serve your pan fried vegetables as a side dish, you can add them to the skillet along with the spinach and then drizzle them with a bit of olive oil before serving.

Alternatively, you can serve them as part of an entree salad topped with crumbled feta cheese and roasted nuts.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to what you can serve with pan fried gnocchi, so have fun and experiment!

5. Roasted Broccoli

Broccoli has a bad rap.

But this veggie is actually really delicious when roasted and seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil.

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Spread a layer of broccoli on a baking sheet and roast for about 20 minutes, or until tender.
3. As you’re cooking the broccoli, you can also prepare the sauce by mixing together olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.
4. Once the broccoli is cooked, toss it with the sauce and serve hot.

If you’d like to add other ingredients to your gnocchi dish, try adding shredded mozzarella cheese or grilled shrimp.

6. Roasted Cauliflower

Same as broccoli, people think that this vegetable is boring and not very appetizing.

But, like broccoli, cauliflower can be delicious when roasted and seasoned correctly.

For a side dish that can accompany any type of main course, try roasting cauliflower.

It’s a simple process that takes just a few minutes:

1. First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Then, cut the cauliflower into small florets and place them on a baking sheet.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until tender and slightly browned.

While the cauliflower is cooking, you can prepare your other ingredients.

Try serving the gnocchi with roasted cauliflower as a base, and top it off with your favorite sauce or cheese.

7. Grilled Asparagus

This summer-friendly classic is perfect for when you want something delicious, but don’t have a lot of time to cook.

All you need is some grilled asparagus, some melted cheese, and a few fresh herbs.

1. First, start by heating up some oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Once hot, add the asparagus and cook for about 3-5 minutes per side until tender.
3. Then, add the cheese and let it melt into the asparagus.
4. Finally, garnish with chopped fresh herbs and serve warm.

This dish is simple, but it’s packed with flavor and it can be enjoyed any time of year.

8. Caramelized Onions

If you like onions once they’ve been cooked down, then you’ll love caramelizing them.

It’s a simple technique that results in a rich and delicious flavor.

1. First, heat some oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add the onions and cook them until they’re soft and lightly browned.
3. Stir occasionally so that they don’t burn.
4. Once they’re cooked down, add in some sugar and continue to cook until the sugar is melted and the onions are sticky.
5. Serve warm with your favorite pan fried gnocchi recipe or any other savory dish.

9. Sauteed Mushrooms with Garlic

Mushrooms are super popular in Italian cuisine, and they’re a great way to add some extra flavor to your pan-fried gnocchi.

You can saute them in a large skillet with garlic until they’re soft and tender.

Then, you can serve them over a bed of cooked gnocchi.

This is a simple and easy dish that can be made in just a few minutes.

Plus, it’s perfect for those summer nights when you don’t feel like cooking anything elaborate.

Add some chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil, for even more flavor.

10. Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Why not add some sun-dried tomatoes to your pan fried gnocchi dish?

They add a touch of sweetness and a lot of flavor.

You can use either fresh or dried tomatoes in this recipe.

If you’re using dried tomatoes, be sure to reconstitute them before adding them to the pan.

Simply place them in a bowl with some water, vinegar, and sugar and let them soak for several hours or overnight.

Once they’re reconstituted, they’ll be ready to use in your dish.

11. Olives

Olives are used a lot in Italian cuisine, and they’re a great addition to pan-fried gnocchi.

They add a nice depth of flavor and a touch of salt that balances out the sweetness of the dough.

You can also use them in salads or as a garnish.

Another common ingredient found in Italian cuisine is rosemary.

Rosemary is perfect for adding a savory note to dishes, like pan-fried gnocchi.

It pairs well with garlic, which is another key flavor in Italian cooking.

So if you want to create an authentic Italian meal, try pairing pan-fried gnocchi with rosemary and garlic.

12. Roasted Artichokes

If artichokes are your thing, then you’re going to love this recipe.

Not only are they delicious, but they’re also a great way to use up some of those pesky leaves that always seem to accumulate in the fridge.

1. To make this dish, start by heating some olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Once hot, add the artichokes and cook until tender and slightly charred on the outside.
3. As they cook, toss them around with a little salt and pepper.
4. Once they’re done, scoop them into a serving bowl and top with chopped fresh parsley or basil.

This is a great dish to serve as a side dish or even as part of an entrée.

You can add other ingredients such as roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted sweet potatoes, or roasted chestnuts for even more flavor.

13. Caprese Salad

Lastly on this list is a classic Caprese salad.

This dish is simple but delicious, and it’s a great way to show off the flavors of fresh, seasonal ingredients.

To make this salad, start by assembling your ingredients: fresh mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, tomatoes, and balsamic vinegar.

You can either serve the salad as is or dress it up with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

For a more sophisticated presentation, you can drizzle some honey over the top of the mozzarella cheese before serving.

14. Ratatouille

Ratatouille is known for its complex flavors and hearty texture.

It’s perfect for those days when you want something hearty and filling, but don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

You can make ratatouille using any vegetables that you have on hand, and it can be served as is, or you can add some pan fried gnocchi to the mix for an extra layer of flavor and texture.

Gnocchi are also a great way to use up leftover vegetables from your fridge.

1. Just cook the gnocchi according to package instructions, then add the vegetables of your choice and a little olive oil.
2. Serve ratatouille warm, topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.

What sauce goes well with Pan Fried Gnocchi?

When pan frying gnocchi, you will want to pair it with a sauce that complements the flavor of the dish. Some of the most popular sauces to pair with pan fried gnocchi include tomato sauce, Alfredo sauce, and pesto sauce.

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