Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce - soft, pillowy gnocchi in a rich tomato sauce, topped with gooey mozzarella cheese. Kids love it!
Prep Time 5 minutesminutes
Cook Time 30 minutesminutes
Total Time 35 minutesminutes
Servings 4servings
Ingredients
2tablespoonsolive oildivided
1medium oniondiced
2clovesgarlicminced
14.5ouncescanned whole plum tomatoes in juice
3tablespoonschopped fresh basil
½teaspoonsalt
¼teaspoonground black pepper
1poundgnocchi
8ouncesmozzarella cheese
2ouncesParmesan cheese
Instructions
Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally until onion is well wilted and starting to brown.
Add tomatoes and basil, along with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook, stirring frequently, until the tomatoes break down and the liquid is reduced by half or more. If the sauce begins to get too thick, add a little water to keep the desired consistency. You want the sauce to be thick and chunky, not too watery.
While the sauce cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Separate the gnocchi and drop them into the boiling water. Cook according to the package directions.
Use a slotted spoon to remove the gnocchi from the water and gently stir them into the tomato sauce.
Oil an ovenproof baking dish with the remaining olive oil.
Transfer the gnocchi and tomato sauce to the baking dish and top with sliced mozzarella. Sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese and place under heated broiler until cheese is hot and bubbly.
Notes
FAQsCan I Make This for a Crowd? Sure can. The recipe can be easily scaled up for a larger group. Simply double or triple the ingredients and use a larger baking dish.Does it Make Good Leftovers? It actually holds up pretty well for a day or two. Of course, leftover baked cheese usually has a less desirable texture, but I wouldn't toss it out because of that.Any variations recommended? The recipe, as written, is actually a great meatless main dish. However, you could always add some cooked Italian sausage or ground beef if you wanted to boost the protein. And you can make it as spicy as you'd like by adding dried red pepper flakes into the sauce.What Goes With This? I almost always serve this recipe with a tossed green salad and garlic bread on the side. If you want more veggies, green beans or peas are always a great option.