Baked Gnocchi

Everyone loves this easy baked gnocchi recipe! It features the doughy pasta baked in tangy marinara, layered with two types of gooey cheese. You don’t even have to boil the gnocchi: just throw it in the pan and bake.

Baked gnocchi in pan with spoon

If there’s one Italian food we’re head over heels for, it’s gnocchi—those pillowy balls of dough that are considered “pasta” but should be in some other category of their own! Here’s our latest creation with our favorite ingredient: this baked gnocchi recipe.

The gnocchi baked up in a tangy marinara sauce and layered with goat cheese and burrata (or fresh mozzarella). You don’t even have to boil the gnocchi—just throw it in the pan and bake! It’s so simple and everyone we’ve served it to adores it. It makes a big pan that’s great for entertaining, perfect as a main dish or side dish for dinner parties or a Christmas recipe—and it works just as well for weeknight dinners.

This recipe was easy to make and quite quick. The kids loved it a lot! We thought it was tasty and the fennel added a nice depth! It’s a good base recipe to add in some sausage or ground chicken/beef for protein, or even some spinach for a bit of green. Will definitely make it again! -Tanvee

Ingredient notes for baked gnocchi

This baked gnocchi recipe is extremely simple—as we mentioned, you don’t even have to boil the gnocchi! It cooks right up in the sauce while it’s baking. Here are a few ingredient notes for this recipe:

  • Packaged gnocchi: This recipe is for packaged dried gnocchi; do not use homemade gnocchi as the texture may not hold up.
  • Marinara sauce, fennel, garlic, oregano and basil: This is our trick to make marinara sauce taste homemade: simmer it with a few extra herbs and spices before baking.
  • Goat cheese (chevre): This adds a creamy body and irresistible tangy flavor to the sauce. The way it melds into the sauce will please everyone, even people who don’t think they like goat cheese.
  • Burrata cheese (or fresh mozzarella): Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese filled with cream; it’s a gourmet ingredient that’s now easy to find at your local grocery (packaged and sold in water). It adds huge flavor to the dish! You can also use fresh mozzarella.
Baked Gnocchi recipe

Tips for using burrata cheese

Burrata is an Italian fresh mozzarella cheese with a surprise inside: the center is filled with cream! The creamy interior also contains cheese shreds, called straciatella. This cheese originated in Southern Italy and is now served all over the world.

This recipe calls for only 1 ball of burrata. It used to be only sold in 2-ball packages, but lately we’ve found you can buy 1 ball packaged separately! It’s a nice way to save a little money. Or, you can use the extra ball in burrata recipes like burrata salad or a burrata sandwich.

Customize by adding protein or greens

This baked gnocchi recipe is a delicious vegetarian main dish or side dish as is. To add even more protein, you can also add 1 pound cooked ground sausage, beef or chicken to the pan with the gnocchi and bake for added protein.

Another idea is adding greens: add a few handfuls of baby or chopped spinach to the marinara sauce and allow it to wilt before adding the gnocchi and baking.

Storing leftovers

This baked gnocchi recipe is best when it’s freshly baked, since the gnocchi is the most soft and pillowy! However, leftovers can be stored up to 3 days refrigerated and still taste great. Make sure to reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave (you can also reheat in the oven).

Dietary notes

This baked gnocchi recipe is vegetarian. For gluten-free, use gluten-free gnocchi.

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Easy Baked Gnocchi

Baked gnocchi in pan with spoon
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Everyone loves this easy baked gnocchi recipe! It features the doughy pasta baked in tangy marinara, layered with two types of gooey cheese. You don’t even have to boil the gnocchi: just throw it in the pan and bake.

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 to 8
  • Category: Main dish or side dish
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 24-ounce jar quality marinara sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 handful fresh basil, roughly chopped, plus more for garnish
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 16-ounce packages gnocchi
  • 4 ounces goat cheese (chevre)
  • 4-oz ball burrata cheese (optional; or fresh mozzarella), torn

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and fennel seeds and cook for 1 minute. Add the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, and salt. Stir in half the goat cheese. Heat for 1 minute. Add the gnocchi (uncooked) and stir until combined.
  3. Pour the mixture into a medium baking dish (about 7 x 11”). Top with dollops of the remaining goat cheese and add the burrata or mozzarella, tearing it into 1-inch chunks. 
  4. Bake until the gnocchi is tender and the cheese is melted, about 25 minutes. If desired, broil to brown the cheese (about 2 minutes or so). Garnish with more chopped fresh basil and serve. 

Notes

If desired, you can add 1 pound cooked ground sausage, beef or chicken to the pan with the gnocchi and bake for added protein. Or, add a few handfuls of baby or chopped spinach to the marinara sauce and allow it to wilt before adding the gnocchi and baking.

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More gnocchi recipes

A few more ways to use gnocchi in recipes: make pesto gnocchi, try crispy sheet pan gnocchi, make it into gnocchi soup, or go for our creamy gnocchi sauce.



from A Couple Cooks
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Sonja Overhiser
December 16, 2024 at 09:00AM

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