My sister made these for our family dinner and we polished them off in minutes. It only takes 4 ingredients to prep these little parcels of joy that melt in your mouth.

These slow cooker 4-ingredient pesto gnocchi packets are exactly the kind of cozy, low-effort dinner my sister brings to family gatherings. She showed up with a slow cooker full of these little foil parcels, and we honestly polished them off in minutes. Everything steams together in its own packet, so the gnocchi turn pillowy-soft, the pesto melts into a creamy sauce, and the cheese gets gooey. It’s a simple, practical recipe that feels special enough for company but easy enough for a busy weeknight.

Serve these pesto gnocchi packets straight from the slow cooker, letting everyone open their own little parcel at the table. A simple green salad with vinaigrette or a bowl of cherry tomatoes with olive oil and salt balances the richness nicely. Warm garlic bread or crusty rolls are great for soaking up any extra sauce. For a bigger spread, add grilled or roasted chicken sausage on the side, plus some steamed green beans or broccoli so everyone gets a veggie without much extra effort.

Servings: 4

2 pounds shelf-stable or refrigerated potato gnocchi