Marry me gnocchi is one of those dishes that sounds fancy but comes together in about 25 minutes flat. Okay, so let me tell you about the first time I made this. Jamie walked into the kitchen, took one bite of the pillowy gnocchi swimming in sun-dried tomato cream sauce, and literally said, “If I wasn’t already committed to you, I’d propose right now.” I’m not even exaggerating. That’s exactly how this marry me gnocchi recipe got its name in our house—and honestly? I get it.

I stumbled onto this one during a particularly chaotic Tuesday night when I had approximately seventeen minutes to make dinner and a random jar of sun-dried tomatoes staring at me from the pantry. You know those nights. The ones where you’re convinced you have nothing to eat, but then you start throwing things together out of desperation and accidentally create magic? This was one of those nights.

Table of Contents

What Makes Marry Me Gnocchi So Special

Here’s the thing about this marry me gnocchi—it’s ridiculously simple but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The gnocchi (I’ll be real with you, I usually buy the shelf-stable kind from Trader Joe’s) gets perfectly golden on the edges, and then you toss it into this velvety sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, cream, and a generous handful of parmesan. Your kitchen will smell absolutely incredible.

The sun-dried tomatoes are the real MVP here. They bring this sweet, tangy, slightly smoky depth that makes the whole dish sing. And because they’re already packed in oil, you’re basically getting a flavor boost and your cooking fat all in one go. Efficiency for the win.

The Story Behind the Name

Fun fact: “Marry Me” recipes became this whole viral trend on social media, and for good reason. These are the dishes that make people fall a little bit in love with you—or at least with your cooking. The original Marry Me Chicken Pasta has been making rounds for years, but I wanted something that felt a bit cozier, a bit more comforting. Enter: gnocchi.

Gnocchi has this magical quality where it’s somewhere between pasta and pillows. When you get it right (crispy outside, tender inside), it’s basically edible heaven. And when you pair it with a sauce this good? Yeah, marriage proposals might actually happen. This marry me gnocchi recipe delivers that same romantic, irresistible appeal.

My Go-To Tips for Perfect Marry Me Gnocchi

Don’t skip the browning step. I know it’s tempting to just dump everything in the pan and call it a day, but trust me on this one—getting those gnocchi golden and slightly crispy on the edges makes all the difference. It adds texture and keeps them from getting mushy in the sauce.

Use good parmesan. Please, for the love of all things delicious, skip the pre-grated stuff in the green can. Get a wedge of actual Parmigiano-Reggiano and grate it yourself. The flavor is incomparable, and it melts into the sauce like a dream. (If you love garlic-parmesan combos as much as I do, you need to check out my Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta—same vibe, different protein.)

Adjust the cream to your liking. Some people love a super thick, restaurant-style sauce. Others prefer it a bit lighter. Start with the amount in the recipe, then add a splash of pasta water if you want to thin it out, or let it simmer longer if you want it thicker.

Double the garlic. Okay, this is just my personal philosophy, but I genuinely believe most recipes could use more garlic. Life’s too short for bland food, you know?

Ingredient Swaps and Variations

One of my favorite things about this marry me gnocchi recipe is how adaptable it is. Jamie follows a gluten-free diet, so I’ve made this with gluten-free gnocchi countless times—works perfectly. You can also swap the heavy cream for half-and-half if you want to lighten it up a bit (though I won’t judge if you go full cream, because same).

Want to add protein? Grilled chicken, shrimp, or even some crispy chickpeas would be amazing here. Actually, if you’re looking for another creamy, indulgent pasta dish with protein, my Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine is pretty much guaranteed to blow your mind. I’ve also thrown in a handful of fresh spinach or arugula at the end for some greens. It wilts right into the sauce and adds a nice peppery bite.

If you’re not a sun-dried tomato person (though honestly, you should reconsider), you could use fresh cherry tomatoes instead. Just halve them and let them burst in the pan—different vibe, but still delicious.

The Recipe

Serves: 4 Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

2 lbs shelf-stable gnocchi
2 tablespoons olive oil (or oil from sun-dried tomato jar)
4 cloves garlic, minced (or 6, because I’m me)
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, but recommended)
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Fresh basil for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Get your gnocchi golden. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the gnocchi in a single layer (you might need to work in batches) and let them sit without stirring for 2-3 minutes until they get nice and crispy on one side. Flip and brown the other side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Build your sauce base. In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed and toss in your garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant—don’t let it burn! Add the sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything together and let it cook for another minute.
Create the magic. Pour in the cream and broth, stirring to combine. Bring it to a gentle simmer and let it bubble away for 3-4 minutes until it starts to thicken slightly. This is when your kitchen starts smelling like an Italian restaurant.
Add the cheese. Lower the heat and stir in the parmesan a little at a time. Keep stirring until it’s all melted and the sauce is smooth and glossy. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed (the sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan are already salty, so go easy at first).
Bring it all together. Add your crispy gnocchi back to the pan and gently toss everything together until every piece is coated in that gorgeous sauce. If it seems too thick, add a splash of pasta water or more broth.
Serve immediately. Garnish with fresh basil and extra parmesan, because why not? Serve this marry me gnocchi while it’s hot and watch people’s faces light up.

Serving Suggestions and Storage

I usually serve this with a simple side salad—something with lots of greens, a bright vinaigrette, and maybe some crusty bread for soaking up any leftover sauce. If you’re in the mood for more quick comfort food that hits all the right notes, my Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Ditalini Soup is another total winner. Both are perfect for those nights when you need something cozy but don’t have hours to spend cooking.

This dish is definitely best eaten fresh, but leftovers will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. The gnocchi will lose some of its crispy texture, but honestly, it’s still delicious. Reheat it gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce back up.

Why This Marry Me Gnocchi Works Every Time

The beauty of this marry me gnocchi recipe is in its simplicity and the quality of ingredients. Sun-dried tomatoes provide concentrated umami flavor, the cream creates that restaurant-worthy richness, and the parmesan adds salty, nutty depth. When you crisp up the gnocchi first, you’re building layers of texture that make every bite interesting.

I’ve made variations where I skip the browning step, and while it’s still good, it’s just not the same. Those golden, crispy edges give the dish character and keep it from being one-note creamy. Plus, if you’re someone who loves a good textural contrast in your food (and honestly, who doesn’t?), this marry me gnocchi delivers big time.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, I’ve made this marry me gnocchi more times than I care to admit since that first accidental Tuesday night creation. It’s become one of those dishes I make when I want to feel like I have my life together, even when I absolutely don’t. (I still can’t believe how easy it is!)

The best part? Everyone who tries it asks for the recipe. My friend Sarah made it for a dinner party and texted me at 10 PM saying three different people had already requested it. That’s the power of a good “Marry Me” dish—it makes you look like a culinary genius when really, you just threw some pantry staples together in under 30 minutes.

If you’re looking for more weeknight dinner inspiration that won’t keep you chained to the stove, check out my 30-Minute Meals collection. Because life’s too short to spend all evening cooking—even though the results should make it seem like you did.

So go ahead, make this marry me gnocchi for someone you love. Or make it for yourself on a random weeknight because you deserve something this good. Either way, prepare for compliments. And maybe keep a ring handy, just in case.

Trust me on this one. 💕