Pan Fried Gnocchi with Lemon Brown Butter Sauce

Crispy pan-fried gnocchi tossed in a rich lemon brown butter sauce with fresh sage for an easy, flavor-packed meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners or a special treat!
Top-down view of a gray plate with pan-seared golden brown gnocchi drizzled with lemon brown butter sauce, garnished with crispy sage leaves and sprinkled with sea salt. A fork rests on the plate. The background is a white marble surface, and a green cloth napkin is partially visible on the side.

About this recipe

Pan-fried gnocchi with lemon brown butter sauce is a delightful comfort food with an elegant twist. The soft gnocchi is pan-fried until it develops a deliciously golden and crispy exterior. It is then tossed in a brown butter sauce infused with fresh sage and zesty lemon, creating a flavor that is incredibly hard to resist. This dish is ideal for a weeknight meal—it feels upscale but can be prepared in under 15 minutes! You really have to believe me, it is so easy to make!

Ingredients

  • Butter: The foundation of the sauce. When browned, it adds a nutty, rich flavor that makes the dish irresistible. You can use Vegan butter and Miyokos Butter browns pretty well if you want.
  • Sage Leaves: Fresh sage gives a mild, earthy aroma that makes the brown butter shine.
  • Lemon Zest and juice: The fresh, citrusy contrast to the richness of the butter brightens the whole dish. Don’t add the white part of the pit; it can make the dish bitter.
  • Kosher Salt & Black Pepper
  • Gnocchi: Store-bought gnocchi is quick and easy, but you can always opt for homemade if you’re up for it! Try using something other than potato gnocchi, like sweet potato or cauliflower.

How to make pan-fried gnocchi with brown butter and lemon sauce

  1. Melt the Butter: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
  2. Add Sage and Lemon: Add the sage leaves to the melted butter, stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice, and let the flavors meld for about 30 seconds.
  3. Pan-Fry the Gnocchi: Carefully add the gnocchi to the skillet, spreading them out in a single layer. Let the gnocchi cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes, allowing them to develop a golden, crispy exterior and the butter foam. Gently toss and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the gnocchi are evenly browned.
  4. Season and Serve: Add the salt and ground pepper, stirring to coat the gnocchi in the lemon butter sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

How to eat

Serve the gnocchi as a main dish and a light, crisp salad on the side. It also pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables or a simply roasted protein of your choice. For an elegant touch, garnish with additional sage leaves or a pinch of lemon zest, more freshly ground pepper, and a pinch of Maldon salt.

Top-down view of a gray plate with pan-seared golden brown gnocchi drizzled with lemon brown butter sauce, garnished with crispy sage leaves and sprinkled with sea salt. A fork rests on the plate. The background is a white marble surface, and a green cloth napkin is partially visible on the side.

Pan-fried Gnocchi with Lemon Brown Butter Sauce

Alejandra Graf
Crispy pan-fried gnocchi tossed in a rich lemon brown butter sauce with fresh sage for an easy, flavor-packed meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners or a special treat!
No ratings yet
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 stick ½ cup butter
  • 10 fresh sage leaves
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Juice of ½ lemon about 1 tablespoon
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 1 pound package of gnocchi

Instructions
 

  • Melt the Butter: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
  • Add Sage and Lemon: Add the sage leaves to the melted butter stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice, letting the flavors meld for about 30 seconds.
  • Pan-Fry the Gnocchi: Carefully add the gnocchi to the skillet, spreading them out in a single layer. Let the gnocchi cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes, allowing them to develop a golden, crispy exterior and the butter foam. Gently toss and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the gnocchi are evenly browned.
  • Season and Serve: Add the salt and ground pepper, stirring to coat the gnocchi in the lemon butter sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

If you have leftovers, let the gnocchi cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pan-fry on medium heat until warmed through and crispy again, adding a touch more butter if needed to refresh the sauce. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the gnocchi lose its crispiness.
Keyword gnocchi

information

Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe?Tag @piloncilloyvainilla on Instagram and hashtag it #alecooks so we can all see your creations.
Alejandra Graf
Latest posts by Alejandra Graf (see all)
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
Recipe Rating




0 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments