For every meal out there, there is a complimentary side dish. Gnocchi is not an exception to this rule, and I would hate to think that you are not making the best out of your Gnocchi experience.
In today’s article, I have carefully prepared a list of the best side dishes for Gnocchi. This list will surely make your dining experience more fun.
1. Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemon
If you have many cherries in your garden and are unsure what to do with them, today is your lucky day.
You can use this cherry to make tomato salad, a great side dish for Gnocchi. It compliments the taste of the Gnocchi, especially if you prepared it with tomato paste.
2. Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is tasty, crispy, and cheesy. All these distinctive qualities make it one of the best side dishes for Gnocchi.
You can use French or Italian bread for this dish. I would also advise you to cook the garlic in butter first to eliminate every unpleasantness and to compliment the dish’s flavor.
3. Italian White Beans
For lovers of Italian food, this one right here is for you.
The Italian white bean is a low-heat cooked firm bean often prepared with olive oil. It makes the perfect side dish for Gnocchi because it adds extra protein and fiber. Additionally, the garlic in the white beans adds more flavor to the meal.
4. Grilled Eggplant
Grilled eggplant and Gnocchi dish? Yes, that is a great combination, especially during the summer.
Unfortunately, most people make the mistake of under-cooking or over-cooking the eggplant. When overcooked, it becomes flavorless, and when undercooked, it is spongy.
Neither of these outcomes complements Gnocchi’s flavor, so you must be careful to avoid making the same mistake.
5. Sauteed Brussel Sprouts
You may be quite familiar with Brussel Sprouts, but you haven’t tried sauteed brussels sprouts, have you? It is caramelized! It is meaty! And it is crispy!
The best thing about this dish is that its appearance and texture sit well when combined with a plate of Gnocchi. It is also easy to prepare.
6. Tomato Marinara Sauce
People often use the tomato marinara sauce as a base for other sauces, but you can also use it as a side dish for Gnocchi.
Ingredients for the sauce must be finely blended to achieve a smooth texture. You can use tomato paste instead of fresh tomatoes, but I wouldn’t advise that because fresh tomatoes have a better flavor.
7. Parmesan Cookies
I used to think that parmesan cookies could only be appetizers. But guess what? You can use them as a side dish for Gnocchi too.
Munching it on as a snack is great, but the taste is magical when you serve it alongside a plate of Gnocchi.
Both meals complement each other perfectly, primarily if you use chopped rosemary as toppings.
8. Chilled Avocado and Cucumber Soup
This one right here is my favorite. It is a no-cook side dish, and it is served cold. I am sure you don’t come across such a dish every day.
This perfect blend of avocado and cucumber is one of the best side dishes for Gnocchi in summertime. You can also choose to throw in a few spices to improve the taste of the entire meal.
9. Grilled Zucchini
You can never go wrong with vegetables, so I suggest you try out this grilled Zucchini. It contains very few carbs, it is gluten-free and dairy free. You can make this during summertime and serve it as a side dish for different meals, including Gnocchi.
Grilled Zucchini and Gnocchi are perfect for adding vegetables to your dinner.
10. Roasted Beet and Citrus Salad
I totally admire creativity in the kitchen. But sometimes, when you find something so appealing and delicious, you just can’t let it go.
This is the kind of effect delicious roasted beet and citrus salad will have on you once you try it.
Placing this classic and colorful dish beside a plate of Gnocchi improves its appearance and makes it more delicious.
11. Creamed Leeks
Are you looking for another vegetable option? Creamed leeks are another option on the list.
It is a simple French dish made by sauteing sliced leeks in butter until they are sweet and soft. After, the cream is added to give it that creamy look, and parmesan to make it tasty. The side dish is suitable for Gnocchi because it softens the taste.
12. Italian-Style Coleslaw
Coleslaw is one of Gnocchi’s best side dishes, and people have used it for several years.
The Italian-styled coleslaw is very similar to the regular coleslaw, but it is made creamy using a vinegar-based tangy slaw and dried basil, rather than mayonnaise.
I recommend using dried basil because its flavor blends well with Gnocchi.
13. Baked Fennel with Parmesan
If I were to give two words for this dish, it would be simple and delicious. This simple delicacy is often ideal for tomato-based meals like Gnocchi because its creaminess complements the tomatoes’ taste and appearance.
You can remove the fennel’s core to achieve a better result. This helps the fennel cook faster so you don’t spend all day in the kitchen.
14. Artichokes
If you casually look at this dish, it may not seem like much. But once you have a taste, you will wonder where it has been all your life.
The artichokes have leaves covering a fuzzy center on top of a meaty core. The layers of leaves are inedible, but the meaty core is very edible and surprisingly delicious.
I would advise you to cook by grilling because the grilled meaty core of the Artichokes blends well with Gnocchi.
15. Garlic Roasted Broccoli
If you are not careful, that plate of roasted spicy broccoli can easily become your favorite. I loved it too. The garlic-roasted broccoli pops up the taste of your regular Gnocchi. It is suitable for different occasions, especially if you have kids.
To achieve a better coating to complement Gnocchi’s color, you should put the broccoli in the oven before seasoning.
16. Italian Stuffed Tomatoes
You shouldn’t be surprised that I added Italian stuffed tomatoes to this list of best side dishes for Gnocchi. This side dish is not just delicious; it is fascinating!
The tomatoes are baked in a low-heat oven and stuffed with pine nuts and bread crumbs. It is an excellent option for Gnocchi because the roasted tomatoes’ flavor subtly blends with it.
17. Mushroom Sauce
The mushroom sauce is delicious and once you have had a taste, you will want this with everything.
The mushroom sauce is big on flavors, the kind you need to bring out the best in a plate of Gnocchi. If you want it to taste better, add more seasonings and cook it with chicken broth instead of water.
18. Pesto Green Beans
Deciding what you will cook with your green beans is not always easy. That is why many people settle for safer options: green beans and canned mushrooms or green beans with butter and salt.
But none of these tastes better than pesto green beans. The Sweet and crunchy taste of pesto green beans makes it one of the best side dishes for Gnocchi.
19. Pan-Seared Radicchio
Is there any vegetable more suitable for people trying to cut down on sugar other than a colorful ball of Radicchio? I doubt it.
The fascinating thing about Radicchio is the color. Not many leafy vegetables come in that bright red color that subtly compliments that of Gnocchi.
20. Green Peas with Butter
Of all the green peas recipes, this is one of the easiest. You’re good to go with just a handful of green peas, butter, and onions. Green peas with butter compliments a Gnocchi dish in taste, color, and texture.
You might also want to choose this dish over others because it tastes better than most vegetables. And if you have kids, they will love it. Give this side dish to them and watch them gobble it in seconds.
21. Cheesy Garlic Knots
Here are reasons why cheesy garlic knots are a fantastic choice of side dish for Gnocchi. It is nutritious, spicy, and it contains few calories. It improves your cholesterol level and reduces the chances of a heart attack.
Additionally, it adds more flavor to your plate of Gnocchi and makes it more appetizing.
22. Grilled Peppers
Grilled peppers are one of the best side dishes for Gnocchi. You can quickly fix it up for any occasion.
Although there are no strict rules to preparing this dish, I will advise you to use a variety of peppers and a variety of colors. This is because the different flavors and colors will bring out the beauty of your dish.
23. Caprese Salad
Are you looking for something simple and healthy? Try the Caprese salad. You only need thick slices of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil leaves, and balsamic reduction.
You can serve this salad and a plate of hot Gnocchi for your dinner, lunch, or even brunch. The taste is terrific, and the glossy black balsamic reduction provides a beautiful contrast.
24. Crostini
Many people previously associated Crostini with party appetizers and fun snacks. But guess what? We have learned to use Crostini better.
Now you can use it as a side dish for Gnocchi during family dinners or any special occasions.
If you don’t know Crostini, it’s crusty bread that’s typically grilled or oven-baked. If your Gnocchi dish is too spicy, this bread can tame the spice.
25. Parmesan Garlic Roasted Tomatoes
If there is Gnocchi on the menu, parmesan garlic roasted tomatoes should be on the menu, too.
Instead of frying or serving the tomatoes raw, roast them. It makes them brighter and adds a juicy flavor. Just what you need to go with that plate of delicious Gnocchi.
26. Roasted Cauliflower
If you like keeping it simple and easy, this dish is the perfect option.
You wouldn’t need to spend many hours in the kitchen preparing this and guess what, you need just a few ingredients too. It is very nutritious and contains high calories. Just in case you need the extra calories too.
Conclusion
There you have it! You should never serve Gnocchi without a side dish to complement it.
The next time you want to have Gnocchi for dinner, you can try out one of these best side dishes for Gnocchi, and you will be glad you did.
