Description
This Baked Gnocchi with Tomato & Mozzarella is a comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender potato gnocchi simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, then baked to golden perfection. It’s a quick and easy recipe perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Gnocchi and Sauce
- 1 pound potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Cheese Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook Gnocchi: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the gnocchi according to package instructions until they float to the top, about 2–3 minutes. Drain them well and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant but not browned.
- Make Tomato Sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper into the skillet. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- Combine Gnocchi and Sauce: Add the cooked gnocchi directly into the skillet with the tomato sauce. Gently stir to coat the gnocchi evenly with the sauce.
- Assemble for Baking: Pour the sauced gnocchi mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired and serve hot for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Using store-bought gnocchi speeds up the cooking process, but homemade gnocchi can make the dish more authentic and fresh.
- Be careful not to overcook the gnocchi in boiling water; they are done when they float to the surface.
- You can add red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce for a spicy kick.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of balsamic vinegar to the tomato sauce while simmering.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: baked gnocchi, tomato mozzarella gnocchi, Italian baked pasta, easy gnocchi recipe, cheesy gnocchi bake, weeknight dinner, comfort food
