Baked Gnocchi

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Baked Gnocchi is a cheesy, comforting dinner that turns a handful of simple ingredients into a bubbling casserole everyone will want to dig into.

Tender potato gnocchi is layered with pasta sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan, then baked until the cheese is melted and golden.

This easy gnocchi bake is perfect for busy weeknights because it comes together quickly and only needs a few basic ingredients.

Serve it with garlic bread or a simple salad for a comforting family dinner with almost no fuss.

Why This Recipe is a Winner!

• Super simple ingredients: You only need gnocchi, pasta sauce, mozzarella, parmesan and parsley to pull this dinner together.
• Quick prep: With just 10 minutes of prep time, this is an easy recipe to start on a busy weeknight.
• Family-friendly: The soft potato gnocchi, tomato sauce and bubbly cheese make this an easy win with both kids and adults.
• Easy meatless dinner: It’s hearty enough to serve as a main dish without needing any meat.
• Perfect for pairing: Serve it with garlic bread, Caesar salad, roasted veggies or a simple green salad.
• Great for small households: This recipe makes 4 servings, so it’s perfect for a family dinner or leftovers for lunch the next day.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Gnocchi: Potato gnocchi makes this dish hearty and filling without needing a long cook time. Cook it just until it floats to the top of the boiling water before draining.
• Pasta Sauce: Use your favourite jarred pasta sauce to keep this recipe quick and easy. Marinara, tomato basil or roasted garlic sauce would all work well.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts beautifully over the gnocchi and gives the casserole that bubbly, cheesy top.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan adds a salty, savoury flavour that pairs perfectly with the pasta sauce and mozzarella.
• Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a little colour and freshness right before serving. You can skip it if you don’t have any on hand.

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don't miss out on any important tips and tricks!

Step By Step Instructions

 STEP 1: 

I boiled the gnocchi until it floated to the top and then I drained the water from the pot.

 STEP 2: 

I spread some pasta sauce in the bottom of and 8 x 8 baking dish.

 STEP 3: 

I placed the gnocchi in an even layer on top of the pasta sauce and then topped it with more sauce.

 STEP 4: 

I topped the dish with parmesan and mozzarella cheese and then baked it till bubbling.

Every bite is soft, saucy and loaded with melted cheese, with the tender gnocchi soaking up all that rich tomato flavour.

It’s the kind of simple baked dinner that feels extra satisfying when scooped straight from the casserole dish and served hot.

If you are looking for a super simple weeknight night dinner recipe that's sure to be a hit, then you need to try this Baked Gnocchi!

• Don’t overcook the gnocchi: Boil it just until it floats to the top, then drain it right away. It will finish cooking in the oven.
• Use a sauce you really like: Since this recipe only uses a few ingredients, the flavour of the pasta sauce really stands out.
• Spread sauce on the bottom of the dish: This keeps the gnocchi from sticking and helps every bite get coated in sauce.
• Broil at the end: A few minutes under the broiler gives the cheese that bubbly, golden finish.
• Watch closely while broiling: The cheese can go from golden to too dark quickly, so don’t walk away once the broiler is on.
• Serve it right away: This baked gnocchi is best hot from the oven while the cheese is melty and the sauce is bubbling.
• Add extra sauce if you like it saucier: Gnocchi can soak up sauce as it sits, so add a little more pasta sauce if you want a saucier casserole.

Substitutions and Variations

• Try another cheese: Mozzarella melts beautifully, but you could also use an Italian cheese blend, provolone, fontina or a little extra parmesan.
• Add meat: Stir in cooked ground beef, Italian sausage, shredded chicken or sliced pepperoni to make it even heartier.
• Make it spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes, spicy marinara or hot Italian sausage for a little kick.
• Add vegetables: Stir in spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers or roasted red peppers before baking.
• Use refrigerated or shelf-stable gnocchi: Either option works well, just cook the gnocchi according to the package directions until it floats.
• Make it extra saucy: Increase the pasta sauce if you prefer a softer, saucier baked gnocchi.
• Add a crispy topping: Sprinkle seasoned breadcrumbs or crushed croutons over the cheese before baking for a little crunch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to boil the gnocchi before baking it?

• Yes, for this recipe the gnocchi is boiled first until it floats to the top. This helps keep it tender before it goes into the oven.

What kind of pasta sauce should I use?

• Use any pasta sauce your family likes. Marinara, tomato basil, roasted garlic or a simple tomato sauce all work well.

Can I add meat to this baked gnocchi?

• Yes, cooked ground beef, Italian sausage, shredded chicken or pepperoni would all be delicious additions.

How do I store leftovers?

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How do I reheat baked gnocchi?

• Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through. You can also reheat it in the oven, covered with foil, until hot.

Can I make this ahead of time?

• You can assemble it a little ahead of time and store it covered in the refrigerator before baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the bake time if it goes into the oven cold.

Baked Gnocchi

Yield: Serves 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Baked Gnocchi is an easy dinner recipe made with tender potato gnocchi, pasta sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese, all baked until hot and bubbly.

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Ingredients

• 1 lb gnocchi
• 1 cup pasta sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
• Parsley to garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Add the gnocchi to a pot half full of boiling water and cook for 3-5 minutes, until it floats to the top. Drain the water.
3. Spread half of the sauce across the bottom of an 8x8 casserole dish.
4. Add the gnocchi in an even layer across the bottom, then top with the rest of the sauce, parmesan and mozzarella.
5. Bake for 25 minutes, then turn the oven onto broil for a few minutes until bubbly.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley to serve.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 480Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 10gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 812mgCarbohydrates: 53gFiber: 6gSugar: 4gProtein: 24g

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