Quick & Creamy: Easy Baked Gnocchi Recipe for Cozy Nights

Gnocchi upgrades ordinary ingredients into a comforting culinary canvas that beckons home cooks with its pillowy potential.

These soft, delicate potato dumplings carry centuries of italian tradition within their tender embrace.

Crafting homemade gnocchi might seem intimidating, but the process rewards patient kitchen enthusiasts with remarkable results.

Simple techniques and minimal ingredients create magic when you understand the fundamental principles behind these delectable morsels.

Each batch represents a personal touch, inviting creativity and gentle experimentation with textures and flavors.

Modern kitchens welcome this classic dish as a versatile meal that adapts beautifully to seasonal ingredients and individual preferences.

Mastering gnocchi opens a delightful gateway to authentic, soul-warming cooking that connects you directly to generations of passionate food lovers.

Why Easy Baked Gnocchi Is the Ultimate Weeknight Comfort

• Quick and Effortless Meal: Whip up a delicious gnocchi dish with minimal prep work, perfect for busy weeknights when you want a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Cheesy Comfort Goodness: Experience the ultimate comfort food with a golden, bubbly mozzarella topping that creates a crispy, melty layer over soft, pillowy gnocchi and rich marinara sauce.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Enjoy a hassle-free cooking method that goes from stovetop to oven, minimizing dirty dishes and simplifying the entire cooking process from start to finish.
• Restaurant-Quality Flavor at Home: Achieve a professional-looking dish with a beautiful broiled cheese top and fresh basil garnish that makes you feel like a gourmet chef without complex techniques.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Easy Baked Gnocchi

• Potato Gnocchi: Soft, pillowy potato dumplings that form the hearty foundation of this comforting dish, best when fresh or vacuum-sealed.

• Marinara Sauce: Classic Italian tomato sauce with a rich, tangy flavor that provides the primary liquid base.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables that create a deep, savory flavor profile and enhance the overall taste of the dish.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps sauté aromatics with a smooth, golden touch.

• Mozzarella: Mild, melty cheese that creates a creamy, stretchy topping with golden brown edges.
• Fresh Basil: Bright, fragrant herb that adds a fresh, authentic Italian finish to the baked dish.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall flavor of the recipe.

Baking a Perfect Dish of Easy Gnocchi

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Set the oven to 400°F and position the rack in the top third of the oven.

Step 2: Soften Onions and Garlic

Heat a skillet over medium flame and melt butter.

Add chopped onions and cook until they turn golden and tender.

Toss in minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds until aromatic.

Step 3: Create Saucy Base

Pour marinara sauce into the skillet.

Add uncooked gnocchi and mix until sauce starts to bubble gently.

Step 4: Sprinkle Fresh Herbs and Cheese

Remove skillet from heat.

Fold in torn basil leaves.

Top with a generous layer of shredded mozzarella.

Step 5: Bake and Brown

Slide the skillet into the preheated oven.

Bake uncovered for 15 minutes.

Activate broiler for 2-3 minutes to create a crispy, golden cheese topping.

Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Let the dish rest for a few minutes to settle.

Season with salt and pepper.

Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan.

Optional: Sprinkle extra basil leaves on top.

Serve hot and savor the delicious comfort food.

Tips to Keep Easy Baked Gnocchi Saucy and Soft

• Prevent Gummy Gnocchi: Ensure your gnocchi is high-quality and fresh to avoid a sticky, dense texture when baking.
• Master Cheese Melting: Shred mozzarella just before adding to achieve the most even, creamy cheese coverage.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Use a thick marinara to prevent watery results; drain excess liquid from sauce before mixing with gnocchi.
• Optimize Oven Placement: Position the skillet in the top third of the oven for perfect cheese browning and even heating.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Briefly toast the basil with garlic to release more aromatic oils and intensify the herb's taste.

Reheating and Saving Easy Baked Gnocchi the Right Way

• Refrigeration: Store leftover gnocchi in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Reheating Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350°F, spread gnocchi in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through, adding a splash of marinara to prevent dryness.
• Microwave Option: Place gnocchi in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Side Dishes That Pair with Easy Baked Gnocchi

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complement the tomato-based sauce and creamy mozzarella, cutting through the richness with their bright, acidic notes.
• Match with Herbal Salad Side: Create a light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty gnocchi, adding a fresh, peppery contrast to the warm, cheesy dish.
• Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: Toasted Italian bread rubbed with garlic and olive oil provides the ideal crunchy accompaniment, helping to soak up the delicious marinara sauce.
• Finish with Citrus Sorbet: A zesty lemon or orange sorbet cleanses the palate after the rich, cheesy gnocchi, offering a refreshing and light dessert that won't feel heavy.

Fun Flavor Twists on Baked Gnocchi

• Spicy Sausage Blast: Swap marinara for arrabbiata sauce and add crumbled Italian sausage for a bold, zesty flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Mix: Replace mozzarella with crumbled feta cheese, add chopped kalamata olives, and sprinkle dried oregano for a Greek-inspired version.
• Veggie Power Gnocchi: Incorporate roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach for a nutrient-packed vegetarian alternative that keeps the dish hearty and satisfying.
• Creamy Mushroom Fusion: Use a rich mushroom cream sauce instead of marinara, add sautéed wild mushrooms, and top with gruyère cheese for an earthy, luxurious rendition.

Easy Baked Gnocchi Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Homemade Italian gnocchi bakes into a comforting pasta dish with golden crispy edges and creamy cheese. Pillowy potato dumplings nestled in rich marinara sauce create a simple yet satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein and Starch:

• 1 pound uncooked potato gnocchi

Dairy Components:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 2 tablespoons butter

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• ½ medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (24 ounces/680 grams) jar marinara sauce
• 1 handful fresh basil, torn
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Ignite the culinary journey by warming the oven to a robust 400°F (200°C), positioning the rack in the upper third of the cooking chamber.
2. Select an oven-safe skillet and melt butter over medium flame, allowing it to shimmer and dance.
3. Introduce chopped onions to the bubbling butter, coaxing them into a tender, golden embrace through gentle sautéing for 5-7 minutes.
4. Sprinkle minced garlic into the skillet, stirring briefly to release its aromatic essence without scorching.
5. Cascade marinara sauce over the softened vegetables, then nestle uncooked gnocchi within the crimson liquid, ensuring each pillow is lovingly coated.
6. Scatter torn basil leaves across the surface, creating a verdant landscape atop the sauce.
7. Blanket the entire dish with a generous layer of shredded mozzarella, promising a creamy, melted finale.
8. Slide the skillet into the preheated oven, allowing the ingredients to meld and bubble for approximately 15 minutes.
9. Activate the broiler for a final 2-3 minutes, watching intently as the cheese transforms into a golden, slightly crisp canvas.
10. Extract from the oven and permit the dish to rest, letting flavors harmonize and settle.
11. Season with a whisper of salt and pepper, then crown with freshly grated Parmesan and additional basil leaves if desired.
12. Serve immediately, presenting a vibrant, comforting Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece.

Notes

• Elevate weeknight dinners with this one-pan wonder that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal.
• Choose soft, pillowy gnocchi that captures sauce perfectly, creating a comforting dish everyone will love.
• Customize by swapping marinara for creamy alfredo or adding crispy pancetta for extra flavor complexity.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 54g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 16g
• Cholesterol: 50mg