Any time you need a quick recipe for supper, try my Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce. It’s soft, pillowy gnocchi in a rich tomato sauce, topped with gooey mozzarella cheese. Kids love it!
Ever tried gnocchi? No? Know what they are? No? Well, give this recipe just one try and you’ll always keep a package of gnocchi in your pantry for a very quick, very easy, and very satisfying dinner.
Actually, gnocchi are little Italian potato dumplings. They’re made with steamed potatoes, flour, and a little salt. That’s all. And if you want to give making homemade gnocchi a try, go for it! Let me know how it turns out.
However, there are very good packaged fresh gnocchi available in your grocery store. I typically use the packaged ones that you find in the same area with the instant mashed potatoes and boxed rice dishes. So, grab a box and make this memorable dinner!
Recipe Snapshot
Cuisine: American
Cooking Method: Oven
Total Time: 35 Minutes
Servings: 4
Primary Ingredient(s): Gnocchi, canned tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil, mozzarella, Parmesan
Skill Level: Easy
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
- Store-bought gnocchi makes it easy, but the dish feels homemade and comforting.
- The combination of mozzarella and Parmesan adds a great, cheesy finish.
- It’s a one-dish meal that feels satisfies without being heavy or complicated.
Ingredient Notes
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- Gnocchi – Look for potato gnocchi in the pasta aisle. There’s no need to pre-boil the gnocchi, as it cooks right in the sauce.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic gives the best flavor, but if you’re in a pinch, a little garlic powder will still do the job.
- Canned Whole Plum (Roma) Tomatoes – I prefer plum tomatoes for this recipe. They break down into a thick, rustic sauce as they cook. Crush them before adding them to the pan or use kitchen shears to chop them directly in the pan.
- Mozzarella Cheese – Use whole milk mozzarella for the best melt. I like to purchase a ball of fresh mozzarella and slice it into thick rounds, but you can shred it if you prefer.
- Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan adds a second layer of cheesy goodness.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce
Make the Tomato Sauce
This recipe doesn’t require much prep work at all. You’ll just need to chop the onion and mince the garlic before you get started.
- Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is well wilted and just beginning to brown.
- Next, add the tomatoes and all their juice along with the basil, salt, and pepper.
👉 PRO TIP: You’ll want to dice or break up the tomatoes to help them cook down more quickly. A wooden spoon work fine to mash them up a bit, or you could use a potato masher, or just get in there with your kitchen shears and give them a good chop.
- Let the sauce cook, stirring frequently, until the tomatoes soften and really break down and the liquid is reduced by half or more. If the sauce starts to get too thick, add a little water to keep the desired consistency. Remember, you want the sauce to be thick and chunky, not too watery.
Cook the Gnocchi
- While the sauce is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Once the water is boiling, separate the gnocchi and drop them into the boiling water. Follow the package directions for cooking the gnocchi, but usually when they float to the top, they’re done.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the gnocchi from the water and drop them right into the tomato sauce. Then mix gently to combine.
You could, of course, stop right here, spoon up the gnocchi onto a plate with a broiled chicken breast, some garlic bread, and a salad for a delicious dinner. However, we’re going to take this recipe just a wee bit further.
Top with Cheese and Bake
- Use the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to coat an ovenproof baking dish.
- Spoon the gnocchi and tomato sauce mixture into the dish. Top the mixture with thick slices of fresh mozzarella and sprinkle that with the Parmesan cheese. Put the dish under the broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbly. It should take about 5 to 10 minutes, but watch carefully so that it doesn’t burn.
Questions About Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce
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.
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.
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.
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.
Have a question or thought to share?
If you have a question about the recipe or if you’ve made it and want to share how it turned out, I would truly enjoy hearing from you. Just scroll down to leave a comment or add your star rating.
Thank you for stopping by. It means a lot to have you here.
Recipe
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Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 14.5 ounces canned whole plum tomatoes in juice
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pound gnocchi
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese
- 2 ounces Parmesan 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.1 tablespoon olive oil,2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, 1 medium onion
- Add tomatoes and basil, along with salt and pepper to taste.14.5 ounces canned whole plum tomatoes in juice, 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 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.1 pound gnocchi
- 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.1 tablespoon 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.8 ounces mozzarella cheese, 2 ounces Parmesan cheese
Notes
- The recipe can be easily scaled up for a larger group. Simply double or triple the ingredients and use a larger baking dish.
- 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.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
— This post was originally published on March 17, 2009. It has been updated with additional information.
I’m Lana Stuart, an award-winning cookbook author, food blogger, and lifelong cook raised deep in Southwest Georgia. I started Lana’s Cooking in 2009 to share the tried-and-true recipes I grew up with. Around here, the food is full of flavor, the traditions run deep, and there’s always room at the table.
Ooooooh. Looks just lovely. As soon as the weather is below a gazillion degrees, I intend to prepare this. I may not share well with others…….. just sayin’
It’s delish. But, yes, maybe wait for cooler weather. It’s miserably hot here right now!
this looks wonderful!! Did you burn your hand? Looks like a burn in the photo. Put some aloe or ice water on it.
Love,
Neena
Wow! Looks yummy.