Weeknight • Pasta
Creamy Tomato Gnocchi Bake
A luscious and easy baked gnocchi dish featuring tender potato gnocchi swimming in a rich, creamy tomato sauce.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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Get ready for a hug in a bowl! This Creamy Tomato Gnocchi Bake is pure comfort food, reimagined for your weeknight table. Soft, pillowy gnocchi bakes beautifully in a velvety tomato sauce, resulting in a dish that's incredibly satisfying and surprisingly simple. It's a crowd-pleaser that comes together with minimal fuss, perfect for cozy evenings.
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1 (16-ounce) package potato gnocchi (shelf-stable or refrigerated)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional, for topping)
- Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Step 2
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 3
Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Step 4
Pour in crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook for 5-7 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Step 5
Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until fully combined and smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed.
Step 6
Add the uncooked gnocchi directly to the sauce in the skillet (or transfer to your prepared baking dish if your skillet isn't oven-safe). Stir gently to ensure the gnocchi is fully coated.
Step 7
If using, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top of the gnocchi. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the gnocchi is tender and the sauce is bubbly and lightly browned on top (if using cheese).
Step 8
Remove from oven, let stand for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.
Tips
- Using shelf-stable gnocchi means no pre-boiling! It cooks perfectly in the sauce in the oven.
- Add cooked crumbled Italian sausage or shredded rotisserie chicken for a heartier meal.
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