Creamy Shrimp Gnocchi is a comforting, restaurant-style dinner that comes together in one skillet. Tender gnocchi and juicy shrimp are coated in a silky lemon cream sauce with garlic, onion, and fresh parsley. It is an easy weeknight meal that feels special without requiring complicated cooking techniques.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy and flavorful: Lemon, garlic, broth, and cream create a rich sauce with a bright finish.
- Quick and easy: The gnocchi cooks directly in the sauce, keeping preparation simple.
- One-pan convenience: Everything comes together in a single deep skillet for less cleanup.
- Family-friendly: Soft gnocchi and tender shrimp make this a comforting dinner for the whole family.
- Perfect for busy nights: With simple ingredients and a short cooking time, it is ideal for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup broth
- 1 lemon
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 pound store-bought gnocchi, uncooked
- 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion and garlic. Zest the lemon and squeeze the juice into a small bowl, reserving a little zest for garnish.
- Place a large deep skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and chopped onion. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens.
- Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently so it does not burn.
- Pour in the broth and bring it to a boil.
- Add the lemon juice and most of the lemon zest, reserving a little for serving. Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a very gentle boil.
- Add the uncooked gnocchi to the skillet and stir to coat it in the sauce.
- Cover the pan and cook over medium-low heat for 4 minutes.
- Remove the lid and give the gnocchi a good stir. Add the raw shrimp and stir well to distribute them throughout the sauce.
- Cook uncovered over low heat for about 3 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and cooked through. Stir the sauce regularly while the shrimp cook to prevent sticking and encourage an even, creamy consistency.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately with fresh parsley and the reserved lemon zest.
Tips & Tricks
- Use raw shrimp: Raw shrimp cook quickly and stay tender when added toward the end of cooking.
- Do not overcook the shrimp: Shrimp are ready when they turn opaque and curl slightly. Overcooking can make them tough.
- Stir the gnocchi: Stirring during cooking helps prevent the gnocchi from sticking to the skillet and helps the sauce coat every piece.
- Keep the heat gentle: A low, gentle simmer helps the cream sauce stay smooth.
- Adjust the lemon flavor: For a stronger citrus flavor, add a little extra lemon zest. For a milder flavor, use less lemon juice.
- Choose a suitable broth: Chicken or vegetable broth can be used. For a seafood-forward flavor, seafood broth also works well.
- Use shelf-stable or refrigerated gnocchi: Either can work as long as the package instructions are compatible with cooking directly in sauce.
- Add vegetables: Baby spinach, peas, asparagus, or sliced mushrooms can be added for extra color and texture.
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pan / Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly; contains dairy and shellfish
Notes
For a lighter sauce, replace part of the heavy cream with additional broth, although the finished sauce will be less rich.
You can also add baby spinach during the final few minutes of cooking. The residual heat will wilt it into the creamy sauce without requiring a separate pan.
For serving, pair the dish with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread for soaking up the lemon cream sauce.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 32 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fat: 32 g
Nutrition values are estimates and can vary depending on the brands and specific ingredients used.
FAQ
Can I use frozen shrimp for creamy shrimp gnocchi?
Yes. Frozen shrimp can be used, but thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking. Excess water can thin the sauce and affect the cooking time.
Can I make this recipe with frozen gnocchi?
Yes, but cooking time may vary depending on the gnocchi. Check the package directions and make sure the gnocchi becomes tender before serving.
What kind of shrimp should I use?
Medium or large raw shrimp that have been peeled and deveined work well. Avoid precooked shrimp because they can become rubbery if cooked for too long in the sauce.
Can I make the lemon cream sauce less rich?
Yes. Replace some of the heavy cream with broth for a lighter sauce. Keep in mind that the sauce will be thinner and less creamy.
What can I add to creamy shrimp gnocchi?
Baby spinach, peas, mushrooms, asparagus, or cherry tomatoes can add extra vegetables and flavor. Add delicate vegetables toward the end so they retain some texture.
How do I know when the shrimp are cooked?
Shrimp are cooked when they become opaque throughout, turn pink, and curl slightly. Remove them from the heat as soon as they are cooked to help keep them tender.
Storage
Refrigerator: Allow leftovers to cool, then transfer them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Because the sauce contains heavy cream and the dish includes cooked gnocchi, freezing can slightly change the sauce’s texture. For the best quality, enjoy it fresh or refrigerated rather than freezing leftovers.
Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over low to medium-low heat. Add a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce, stirring occasionally until heated through. Avoid high heat, which can cause the cream sauce to separate and the shrimp to become tough.
Similar Recipes
Creamy Shrimp Gnocchi with Lemon Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup broth
- 1 lemon
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 pound store-bought gnocchi uncooked
- 1 pound raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion and garlic. Zest the lemon and squeeze the juice into a small bowl, reserving a little zest for garnish.
- Place a large deep skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and chopped onion. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens.
- Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently so it does not burn.
- Pour in the broth and bring it to a boil.
- Add the lemon juice and most of the lemon zest, reserving a little for serving. Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a very gentle boil.
- Add the uncooked gnocchi to the skillet and stir to coat it in the sauce.
- Cover the pan and cook over medium-low heat for 4 minutes.
- Remove the lid and give the gnocchi a good stir. Add the raw shrimp and stir well to distribute them throughout the sauce.
- Cook uncovered over low heat for about 3 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and cooked through. Stir the sauce regularly while the shrimp cook to prevent sticking and encourage an even, creamy consistency.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately with fresh parsley and the reserved lemon zest.
Notes
Conclusion
Creamy Shrimp Gnocchi is an easy way to turn a handful of everyday ingredients into a comforting and flavorful dinner. The tender gnocchi, juicy shrimp, creamy garlic sauce, and fresh lemon make every bite rich, bright, and satisfying. With everything cooked in one skillet, this is a recipe you can confidently make for a busy weeknight or a relaxed family dinner.