Baked Gnocchi

Cheesy Baked Gnocchi is quick and easy comfort food that is made all in one pot. Made with chewy bites of gnocchi smothered in a simple tomato-based sauce and topped with gooey melty cheese, this hot skillet dinner couldn't be any more delicious or flavorful. With minimal prep, this recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight meal or heart-warming weekend dinners.

When it comes to comforting dinners, it's all about finding a recipe that the whole family (even picky eaters) will love. Think baked casseroles, saucy pastas, and cheesy meals — and this vegetarian gnocchi checks off all the boxes! The best part? Prep it in under 10 minutes before popping into the oven for 30 minutes to bake. It can't get any easier!

Why You'll Love this Baked Gnocchi Recipe

• Soft, pillowy gnocchi. Gnocchi is highly underrated — each little dumpling-shaped piece of these pasta-like bites becomes so doughy and pillowy. Combined with our homemade tomato sauce and topped with melty cheese, this baked gnocchi is unbelievably cozy and comforting.
• Easy one-pot meal. This cheesy baked gnocchi comes together quickly in just one cast-iron skillet (or can be made in a casserole pan)! You’ll simply sauté, add sauce, and bake the ingredients all in the same dish, which means cleanup is just as simple as making the recipe itself.
• Ready in less than an hour. It only takes 40 minutes to get this cheesy baked gnocchi ready to serve, and only ten minutes of that is actual active prep work! This means you only have to put in minimal effort for maximum flavor. It's a perfect vegetarian dinner for busy weeknights!
• Comfort food at its best. With its saucy, cheesy, and flavorful combination, this vegetarian c gnocchi offers the ultimate comfort food experience. It warms your soul and provides a cozy and satisfying meal that is perfect for any time of the year.

Ingredient Notes

To make this easy Baked Gnocchi, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• olive oil - any vegetable oil will work such as avocado oil or grapeseed oil.
• onions - white onion, yellow onion, or even shallots would work best in this recipe.
• garlic - aim to use fresh garlic if you can, but you can also use pre-minced garlic if necessary.
• tomato sauce - you can use marinara sauce if you don’t have tomato sauce on hand. Then, just add salt and pepper to taste as you may not need it.
• tomato paste - if you don’t have tomato paste, you can use a little more tomato sauce or tomato puree instead.
• gnocchi - you can make your own gnocchi or use store-bought uncooked gnocchi.
• mozzarella - if you don’t like mozzarella, you can substitute provolone, Swiss cheese, or feta instead.
• parmesan - freshly-grated parmesan works best, but you can use pre-grated parmesan or parmesan crumbles if that’s what you have.
• fresh basil - you can also use dried basil or another soft herb of your choice such as parsley.
• salt and pepper

You will also need measuring cups and spoons and a large oven-safe skillet. Otherwise, you can make everything in a regular skillet and transfer to a casserole dish for baking.

How to Make the Best Baked Gnocchi

1. Sauté aromatics. Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet (or oven safe skillet) for 2 minutes over medium-high heat until the hot oil sizzles and shimmers. Add onions and garlic and sauté until tender, about 2-3 minutes. Stir well to combine. 

2. Add remaining ingredients. Add in tomato sauce, tomato paste, gnocchi, salt, and pepper. Mix well until evenly combined. 

3. Top with cheese. Remove from heat and top with mozzarella cheese slices and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

4. Bake. Transfer the skillet into the oven and bake in a 375F preheated oven until the gnocchi is tender and the cheese melts and turns golden brown, about 28-30 minutes.
5. Serve. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with basil and serve.

How to Serve

You can serve this cheesy baked gnocchi as a side to accompany an array of protein options or as a stand-alone meal. Either way, it’s sure to please. Pair it with other Italian-inspired dishes for a cohesive theme.

We love pairing this baked gnocchi with salads, bread, and veggies. Some of our favorite sides include:

• Caesar Salad
• Garlic Breadsticks
• Oven Roasted Vegetables
• Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad
• Cheesy Garlic Bread
• Green Bean Fries

For more inspo, see our 30 Side Dishes for Pasta.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Allow the baked gnocchi to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container and refrigerating it for up to 3 days.

How to Reheat

Reheat leftover gnocchi in the oven at 350℉ for 10-15 minutes. You can also reheat a batch on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through and the cheese is melty.

How to Freeze

Transfer the baked gnocchi into a freezer-safe container or wrap the pan tightly in plastic cling wrap and double wrap in aluminum foil. If planning to freeze the entire casserole, I recommend making it in a disposable 9x13-inch casserole pan for easy storing. Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen in a 350℉ oven for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

More Comfort Food Recipes

• 50 Best Comfort Food Recipes
• Eggplant Parmesan
• Creamy Gnocchi Soup
• Vegetarian Lasagna with Spinach
• Cheesy Tortellini and Sausage Bake
• Baked Ravioli

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