How to Make Lobster Gnocchi with Tomato Cream Sauce

This Lobster Gnocchi with Tomato Cream Sauce recipe is a delicious way to elevate and make the most out of cooked lobster meat. You can make a restaurant-quality creamy lobster sauce and gnocchi at home with only a few simple ingredients. If you’re looking for another creamy tomato sauce, check out my Fusilli alla Vodka! And gnocchi lovers will devour my gnocchi alla sorrentina!

Lobster gnocchi is a recipe that you’ll make time and time again. Pillowy gnocchi meets tender cooked lobster meat and a silky tomato cream sauce. What could be better? If you are looking for other lobster recipes, check out my lobster cakes recipe or my butter-poached lobster recipe.

I love this lobster gnocchi recipe so much because it combines all of my favorite ingredients in one comforting, easy-to-prepare dish. Potato gnocchi is best for a lobster cream sauce because it soaks up the sauce perfectly.

Potato gnocchi is easy to make (you only need some potatoes, all-purpose flour, and a potato ricer), but you can also use store-bought gnocchi. Your family will ask for this dish time and time again. I hope you enjoy it as much as Eric and I do! 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• ​It makes the most of your cooked lobster meat – Lobster meat isn’t cheap! This recipe makes sure to tick to simple ingredients that elevate the taste of the lobster without overpowering it. Maine lobster is the start of this dish, and you’ll taste it!
• It’s impressive – There’s something about gnocchi recipes that are inherently elegant, yet comforting. This tomato cream sauce with cooked lobster meat kicks it up a notch. This would be amazing as a primi (serve smaller portions) for a dinner party!
• It’s easy enough for the beginner cook – No matter your cooking experience, you can make this delicious lobster gnocchi dish with a tomato cream sauce.

Ingredients

• Cooked lobster meat – Succulent and tender, this lobster meat adds a luxurious seafood flavor to the gnocchi dish, with sweet and briny notes that complement other ingredients. Make sure to cut your lobster meat into 1-inch pieces. 
• Extra virgin olive oil – As the cooking medium, olive oil provides a fruity and robust flavor, ensuring even cooking and adding a luscious texture to the tomato cream sauce.
• Shallot – Shallots bring a mild onion-like flavor without overpowering the delicate taste of lobster, providing a subtle sweetness and gentle bite.
• Diced tomatoes – Contributing a vibrant and fresh taste, diced tomatoes infuse the sauce with acidity, balancing the richness of cream and lobster while creating a visually appealing element. Love tomato? Try my Tomato and Mascarpone Risotto!
• White wine – White wine imparts a subtle acidity and depth to the tomato cream sauce, elevating the overall flavor profile while adding a touch of elegance to the lobster gnocchi dish.
• Heavy cream – Creating a velvety texture adds a luxurious consistency that envelops the pillowy gnocchi, complementing lobster flavors and melding ingredients together.
• Salt and pepper – Enhancing natural flavors, salt balances the sweetness of lobster and tomatoes, while pepper adds subtle heat and depth, contributing to overall complexity.
• Potato gnocchi – With a pillowy texture, potato gnocchi absorbs sauce flavors, providing a hearty and satisfying element that complements the lobster without overshadowing it.
• Fresh parsley – Adding a fresh and herbaceous note, fresh parsley brightens the dish, providing visual contrast and enhancing the overall aroma for an inviting dining experience.
• Parmesan cheese – With a salty and savory umami flavor, Parmesan intensifies sauce depth and richness, with its grated form melting into the sauce. Opt for real Parmigiano Reggiano – trust me! 
• Unsalted butter – Unsalted butter contributes a final layer of richness and adds a glossiness to the sauce when used to finish the dish. Butter and lobster are a classic combination.

Substitutions and Variations

• Using just lobster tails – Opting for lobster tails simplifies preparation and may be more convenient; ensure proper cooking time to maintain tenderness and flavor.
• Use langoustine or shrimp – ​For a more budget-friendly version of this dish, use langoustine or shrimp!
• Add lemon zest – Incorporating lemon zest introduces a bright, citrusy element, enhancing the dish’s overall freshness and complementing the lobster’s richness. You can add lemon if you like, it’ll had a delicious brightness!
• Add tarragon – Infusing tarragon adds a distinctive herbal and slightly anise-like flavor, providing a unique twist that complements the sweetness of cooked lobster meat and adds complexity to the sauce.

• Add green peas – Including green peas brings a pop of color, sweetness, and additional texture to the dish, creating a well-rounded and visually appealing presentation.
• Use pasta Instead of potato gnocchi – Substituting pasta for potato gnocchi offers a different texture and mouthfeel, providing a more traditional pasta experience with the rich lobster and tomato cream sauce.
• Use chicken stock instead of white wine –  Swapping white wine for chicken stock alters the flavor profile, offering a savory depth without the acidity of wine; this variation can appeal to those seeking a non-alcoholic alternative.​
• Make it gluten-free – ​Make this lobster gnocchi recipe gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free pasta or gnocchi. 

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Add the olive oil to a large sauté pan and cook on medium heat until glistening. Then, add the shallot and cook for 2 minutes. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. 

Step 2: Next, add the drained tomatoes to the pan.

Step 3: Add salt and pepper and mix to combine.

Step 4: Next, add the fresh parsley. Mix to combine and cook for 3 minutes. Stir as you add the white wine. Continue to cook for 5 minutes. Cook your potato gnocchi – remove the gnocchi as soon as they float to the top of the water.

Step 5: Add the lobster to the tomato sauce and stir to combine before adding the heavy cream.

Step 6: Stir once more and bring the heat down to medium-low. Cook for 5-7 minutes until it is simmering and the sauce has combined nicely. 

Step 7: Take the pan off the heat and add the cooked potato gnocchi. Fold to combine and cover the gnocchi in the tomato cream sauce.

Step 8: Add cold butter and continue to mix until the butter has melted. Top with fresh chives and lemon if desired. Serve immediately! 

Tips and Notes

• Selecting lobster – Choose fresh, high-quality lobster for optimal flavor. Lobster tails or a combination of tails and claw meat can be used. Ensure proper cooking to retain tenderness. If you are using cooked lobster meat (already cooked and not cooking it yourself), make sure it is fresh.
• Lobster cooking time – If you are cooking your own lobster meat for this lobster gnocchi recipe,  cook the lobster just until opaque and firm, avoiding overcooking to prevent toughness. 
• Gnocchi preparation – Whether store-bought or homemade, ensure the gnocchi is cooked al dente to maintain a satisfying texture. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pillowy gnocchi as soon as they float to the top of the boil water.  If making homemade gnocchi, ensure the potatoes are properly mashed and the dough is not overworked.
• White wine reduction – When using white wine, allow it to reduce to intensify its flavor. Choose a good-quality white wine that complements seafood, enhancing the overall depth of the sauce. 
• Flavor enhancers –  Experiment with additional flavor enhancers such as lemon zest for brightness and fresh tarragon for a subtle anise-like note. Taste the sauce as you go and adjust the seasonings accordingly.
• Fresh herbs – Garnish with fresh flat-leaf parsley at the end for a burst of color and herbaceous freshness. Consider adding other herbs like chives or basil for added complexity.
• Lemon finish – Consider finishing the dish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving to brighten the flavors and cut through the sauce’s richness.
• Butter for a luxurious finish – Finish the tomato cream sauce with a small amount of unsalted butter for a luxurious, glossy texture. This final touch enhances the overall mouthfeel of the lobster gnocchi.
• Timing is key – Coordinate the cooking of the lobster, gnocchi, and sauce to ensure everything is ready simultaneously. Serve the lobster gnocchi immediately to enjoy the dish at its freshest and most flavorful.

Recipe FAQs

Serving Suggestions For Lobster Gnocchi

• Wine pairing – A crisp and citrusy Sauvignon Blanc or a buttery Chardonnay complements the richness of the lobster gnocchi dish. The acidity in the wine balances the creaminess of the sauce. Alternatively, dry sparkling wine or Champagne adds a touch of elegance and effervescence, cutting through the richness of the lobster and cream. And if you’re a rosé fan like me… A dry rosé with its bright acidity and red fruit notes can provide a delightful pairing!
• Simple green salad: Serve a light green salad with a lemon vinaigrette on the side of the lobster gnocchi for a refreshing contrast.
• Crusty bread – Serve the lobster gnocchi alongside some crusty bread to sop up the delicious sauce.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Storage:

• Refrigeration – Allow any leftover lobster gnocchi to cool to room temperature before refrigerating. Store it in an airtight container to maintain freshness. Consume refrigerated leftovers within 2-3 days for optimal quality.

Reheating:

• Stovetop – To reheat the lobster gnocchi with tomato cream sauce on the stove, place a pan over medium-low heat and add a bit of olive oil or butter. Gently warm the gnocchi and lobster together, stirring frequently to ensure even reheating while maintaining their tender textures. Adjust the consistency of the tomato cream sauce with a splash of broth or cream if needed, and serve the dish once heated through, garnishing with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon for a revitalized flavor.

Note: It’s important to note that while reheating can restore the dish’s taste, the texture of the lobster may not be as pristine as when freshly cooked. Always use your judgment and taste as you reheat to ensure the best experience.