What to Serve with Gnocchi? (25 Ideas)

Gnocchi: quick, versatile, delicious, always a good dinner idea. But what to serve with gnocchi? Check out 25 recipes, all ready in no time!

A question I've asked myself many times. The classic combination of butter and sage is always great, but it tends to get boring if repeated over and over again. And why stop there anyway?

These comforting little potato and flour dumplings (or pumpkin, ricotta, cauliflower, etc. gnocchi) are so adaptable; they go well with many sauces and dressings. And they a super quick, healthy and tasty meal when served with vegetables or salad.

So boil some gnocchi, make some Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi or Simple Fried Gnocchi, and choose any of these gnocchi side dishes! I am sure you will love the combinations.

Let's start with some super easy and quick-to-make sauces suitable for serving with gnocchi.

25 Easy Side Dishes for Gnocchi

1. Creamy Gnocchi Pesto Recipe

This must be my most reliable way of serving gnocchi. Boiled, fried, or air-fried gnocchi are incredibly delicious when coated with a few tablespoons of good-quality pesto and sprinkled with some freshly grated Parmesan. An extremely aromatic and tasty dish for any busy day of the week.

2. Hearty Marinara Sauce

Make a flavorful marinara sauce with just a handful of ingredients. Ready in about 30 minutes; this will become your favorite quick tomato sauce.

Once you've made this easy, hearty marinara, you'll have a hard time going back to any bottled tomato sauce. Why? Because this is so good, so full of flavor, and it doesn't need hours of cooking.

And all you have to do is saute a few vegetables, add tomatoes and let the dish simmer for about 20 minutes. The sauce keeps well in the fridge or the freezer, always ready to throw on gnocchi, pasta, or to top a pizza

3. Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

This Caprese salad with cherry tomatoes is a fabulous meal or side dish perfect for gnocchi. It's light, refreshing, and so easy to make, less than 10 minutes from start to finish!

If you're looking for a lighter side that requires minimal effort, you really can't go wrong with this simple Caprese salad. With just 5-10 minutes of effort and a single mixing bowl, you can have a fabulous salad tossed together and ready to eat.

4. Italian Chopped Salad

This Italian Chopped Salad is so hearty and refreshing for lunch or dinner. It is best to go with gnocchi, meat, fish and other main dishes.

In Italy, a chopped salad recipe is straightforward: roughly torn greens like lettuce, arugula, and chunks of ripe pulpy tomatoes without any dressing. But you can upgrade this recipe by adding whatever ingredients you fancy.

5. Roasted Artichoke & Mozzarella Salad

You will feel like you have taken a little trip to Italy when you serve this roasted artichoke salad. It's quick and easy to prepare with a depth of flavor that is out of this world!

And don't worry, it is made with jarred or canned artichoke, you won't have to go "hunting" at the farmer's market. A beautiful side dish for serving with gnocchi.

6. Easy Sauteed Mushrooms with Garlic Butter

Sauteed mushrooms cooked in garlic butter until golden brown! I love mixing gnocchi with freshly cooked mushrooms; it is one of my favorite combinations.

This simple and easy method of twice cooking the mushrooms is the best way to cook mushrooms because it guarantees that they're not soggy but rather have a delicious meaty texture and a savory, concentrated umami flavor. Mix them with some fried gnocchi and will not want anything else. Oh well, maybe a small bowl of the salad coming next...

7. Easy Dinner Side Salad with Lemon Juice

An easy dinner side salad that changes things up with shaved Pecorino Romano, toasted pine nuts, and lemon juice.

A dinner side salad shouldn't be complex—but does it have to be so bland? No. And that's where this lemony mix comes in. We're not even using dressing here! Just straight up lemon juice massaged into your greens for a bright, tangy, and even flavor. Perfect for serving with cheesy or creamy gnocchi.

8. Zucchini Roll Ups

Make the gnocchi the side dish for these comforting and cheesy zucchini roll-ups filled with a savory cheese mixture and topped with tomato sauce similar to stuffed shells.

The recipe uses ricotta and mozzarella cheese for super cheesy flavor and vegetarian protein. And of course, there's nothing wrong with adding a sprinkle of freshly-grated Parmesan cheese on top when serving!

9. Herb Pangrattato on White Asparagus

Simple steamed white asparagus gets a flavor upgrade from tasty golden seasoned herb pangrattato. This is the perfect spring side dish for gnocchi, roasted or grilled meats. Additionally, it's also fantastic as part of a vegetarian or vegan dinner.

Pangrattato is a toasty seasoned breadcrumb mixture that is delicious on everything from steamed white asparagus to mac 'n' cheese.

10. Asiago Bruschetta Roasted Asparagus

Roasted asparagus with tomatoes, garlic, onions, and asiago cheese, makes a healthy gourmet side dish that can be on the table in 15 minutes and is perfect for brunch, or a weeknight or holiday dinner.

Once you taste the incredible flavor of the roasted asparagus, this will become one of your favorite recipes, the roasting really brings out its sweetness. Serve this recipe with air fried or pan-fried gnocchi.

11. Zucchini with Pesto

Aromatic sauteed zucchini with pesto, an easy-to-make, healthy zucchini side dish, or light meal.

A simple side dish of sliced zucchini with pesto and a few sun-dried tomatoes in oil. It is a recipe reminiscent of hot summer days in Italy, a recipe for times when it is just too hot to be spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Serve on the side or mix the slices with gnocchi.

12. Rocca Salad

This Middle Eastern salad, called Rocca salad is made with rocket, onion, walnuts, and a sumac lemon dressing. In English, you may know this leafy green as arugula, rocket, or roquette; they are typical Arabic salad leaves, nearly always present at any dining table as an appetizer or side.

This simple salad makes a refreshing, peppery, and tangy side for gnocchi.

13. Shaved Asparagus Salad

Another delicious side dish for the coming asparagus season. Fresh, creamy, and delicious, this salad is made with just a few ingredients and is perfect for enjoying as an appetizer or with your favorite mains.

Raw asparagus ribbons are tossed with goat cheese, walnuts, and a little lemon juice for a side dish full of flavor.

14. Smothered Green Beans

Another delicious answer to What to Serve with Gnocchi. Smothered green beans with tons of flavor! All you need is 6 ingredients and a few minutes of prep time.

Fork tender green beans in a creamy garlic sauce, all complete with some crispy bacon…you can make this easy recipe right now. Less than 25 minutes of cook time in one pot with everyday pantry ingredients. Easy cooking, easy cleanup. 

15. Old-Fashioned Creamed Peas

This old-fashioned creamed peas recipe is easy, quick, and delicious; even fussy eaters wouldn't mind eating it. A budget-friendly, kid-friendly dish, ready in about 10 minutes.

Frozen peas are cooked and smothered in white cream sauce. You can cook this comforting gnocchi side dish with fresh, frozen, or canned peas. Serve the peas on the side or use them as a sauce for plain gnocchi.

16. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

I have a passion for Brussels sprouts; when in season, I cook them at least once a week. And I must say that any side dish including them goes perfectly well when served with gnocchi.

These super crispy, golden brown, air fryer Brussels sprouts (Italian-style) are ready in just 12 minutes. So healthy & tasty!

17. Grape Walnut Salad

Sweet, juicy grape and walnut salad made with cream cheese and sour cream dressing, an unusual yet delightful side dish for gnocchi of any kind.

You can make it ahead serve it at room temperature or cold; it always tastes refreshing and light, and it only takes about 15 minutes to bring it all together.

18. Garlic Parmesan Broccoli

An easy broccoli side dish that your whole family will love. Traditional oven-roasted or with easy air fryer instructions, you'll want to make this healthy side again and again.

No soggy vegetables here; the broccoli remains vibrant and crunchy and so perfect for serving with gnocchi. Ready in less than 30 minutes.

19. Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples and Ginger

Brussels sprouts are thinly sliced and tossed with sweet, crisp apple slices then coated in a delightfully tangy ginger vinaigrette for a salad that pairs perfectly with just about anything.

Give it extra pizzaz by adding dried cranberries and feta cheese to it too! Ready in about 10 minutes!

20. Apple Kale Salad

This salad features tender kale, crunchy and crisp apples, candied pecans, pumpkin seeds, goat cheese, and the most amazing apple cider dressing. There's so much great texture and flavor going on here!

It's a really simple salad that will complement every meal well. Ready in less than 30 minutes and the perfect addition to your gnocchi dish.

21. Creamy Pea Salad

This pea salad is truly tasty and soooo easy to make. A no-fuss side dish that is perfect for those busy midweek meals. And it comes together so quickly and easily, with absolutely no cooking required, it only takes about 10 minutes.

It's also such a lovely summertime side dish that is cool, refreshing yet filling, and satisfying: peas, bacon, cheese, and onions coated in a creamy sour cream and mayonnaise dressing.

22. Parmesan Arugula Salad

A light, tasty salad that comes together in about 10 minutes: it's the perfect side salad for virtually any main course!

Arugula parmesan salad is one of those salads you've probably had before. Maybe in a restaurant. Maybe when you were a guest at someone's house. It's pretty popular, and it's easy to put your little twist on the recipe.

23. Balsamic Tomato Basil Salad

Made with garden-fresh tomatoes, spicy red onions, delicious sweet basil, and an easy three-ingredient balsamic dressing, this Tomato Basil Salad takes just 10 minutes to prepare from start to finish. 

24. Sauteed Broccolini with Garlic Butter

 This is about to become your go-to vegetarian side dish. Tender, sweet broccolini is tossed with crispy garlic chips, a bright squeeze of fresh lemon juice and creamy pine nuts for a side dish that just might steal the spotlight.

If you love broccoli, you're going to fall head over heels for this easy sautéed broccolini. Arguably more delicious than broccoli, this relatively newfangled vegetable (it was only introduced in the 90s!) requires less prep and less cooking time than its heftier cousin.

25. Simple Gnocchi Gorgonzola

Rich gnocchi al gorgonzola, a famous Italian dish, super easy and fast to make. A creamier, more comforting pasta sauce is hard to find. Ready in about 15 minutes!

Set the water to cook the gnocchi and make the sauce in the meantime. Mix everything and serve. Simple, filling, and utterly delicious!

Hopefully, you've enjoyed scrolling through our collection, and hopefully, you did find a few ideas on what to serve with gnocchi.