Description
A comforting and easy-to-make dish featuring golden baked gnocchi, savory tomato sauce, and melted cheese, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups (about 480 g) marinara or crushed tomato sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 113 g)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 g)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- 1 cup cooked ground chicken or turkey (about 140–150 g)
- 1 cup chopped spinach or zucchini (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large pot, bring well-salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook according to package instructions until they float (usually 2–3 minutes for store-bought). Drain and set aside.
- While the gnocchi cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 4–5 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the marinara or crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked gnocchi with the sauce, folded-in cooked ground chicken or turkey, and chopped spinach or zucchini (if using). Toss gently to coat—avoid overmixing to keep gnocchi tender.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish (about 9×13 inches or similar). Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. For an extra-crispy top, broil for 1–2 minutes—watch closely to avoid burning.
- Let cool for 5 minutes; garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, omit the ground meat and add roasted mushrooms or white beans. For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free gnocchi.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 455
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 575mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg