Why is our affinity for gnocchi in foil packets so strong? Because it provides a hassle-free method to create a full pasta dish on the grill—from inception to completion—without the need for boiling water, resulting in minimal post-meal cleanup.

This meal is expertly constructed in individual-serving-sized foil packets within minutes, then seamlessly grilled with little more than the timer to mind. The foil packets effectively capture the steam from the wine and the juices released by the tomato and corn during grilling. This process works harmoniously to cook the gnocchi to tender perfection while infusing the pasta with the delightful medley of flavors present in the dish. As a delightful bonus, some parts of the dish develop a slight browning on the underside just before it’s done, imparting an extra layer of flavor.

Remember to culminate your creation with aromatic basil and nutty Parmesan. While we adore consuming this delectable dish directly from the packet, you can also opt to gently transfer the grilled gnocchi onto plates for a more traditional presentation.

YIELDS: 4 servings PREP TIME: 10 minutes TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of store-bought gnocchi, uncooked
• 4 ears of corn, shucked with kernels removed from the cob (or 3 cups of thawed frozen corn)
• 2 cups of cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Kosher salt
• Red pepper flakes
• 3/4 cup of dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
• 1/4 cup of finely chopped fresh basil
• Grated Parmesan, for serving
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Step 1: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Cut 4 sheets of foil, each about 12 inches long.

Step 2: Divide the gnocchi, corn, tomatoes, butter, and garlic evenly among the foil sheets. Season each packet with ¼ teaspoon of salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Drizzle the white wine evenly over each packet.

Step 3: Fold the foil packets over the gnocchi mixture crosswise to fully enclose the food. Seal the top and bottom edges by rolling them.

Step 4: Place the foil packets on the grill and cook until the tomatoes burst and the gnocchi is thoroughly cooked, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle each packet with basil, Parmesan, and a dash of black pepper. Serve and savor the flavors.