This summer our basil plant is absolutely thriving (even after losing part of it because it broke off). Other than margherita pizza and all things caprese (like this grilled caprese sandwich, or these California caprese bites) I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with the rest.
While we will dehydrate a bunch of basil at the the end of the season, I know we have more than we will need. Then I remembered that pesto calls for basil. That’s where the idea came to make this beef gnocchi with beef gnocchi.
Beef and Gnocchi Pesto Tomato Sauce Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 small can tomoato paste
- 1/2 t better than bouillon
- 25 oz frozen gnocchi
Pesto Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups basil (lightly packed)
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- juice from 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Start bringing a pot of water to boil for cooking the gnocchi in.
- Start by combining all of the ingredients for the pesto sauce in a food processor.
- Process until smooth.
- Set pesto aside. Brown beef in a skillet.
- Blend canned tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef bouillon until smooth.
- Add to beef and let simmer 15-20 minutes.
- Once the water is boiling cook gnocchi according to direction on bag. As soon as they have cooked transfer to the beef skillet.
- Add pesto to skillet and enjoy!
I really love how easy this recipe was to make, and how fast it came together. I did learn however, that Matt is not a fan of pesto sauce… oops. Since the girls both liked it, this looks like something I’ll have to make this beef gnocchi with pesto tomato sauce skillet for lunch or if Matt is ever gone for dinner.