Description
This One Pot Tomato Gnocchi with Spinach recipe combines shelf-stable gnocchi with a rich tomato sauce, fresh spinach, and melted mozzarella for a comforting, easy-to-make baked dish perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Gnocchi and Sauce
- 16 oz shelf stable gnocchi
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup vegetable stock
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Finishing Touches
- 1.5 cups fresh spinach
- 4 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced or torn
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the gnocchi dish later.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Warm a large oven-safe skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat. Add butter and melt it, then add diced onion and cook about 5 minutes until translucent. Add sliced garlic and cook 2 more minutes to release aroma without browning.
- Cook the Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste with the onion and garlic, cooking for 2-3 minutes until the paste darkens and flavors deepen.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and vegetable stock. Season with salt and pepper, stir to combine, and bring to a gentle simmer, ensuring the sauce bubbles lightly but does not boil vigorously.
- Add Gnocchi & Spinach: Add the uncooked gnocchi and fresh spinach to the skillet, stirring to submerge the gnocchi completely in the sauce and distribute the spinach evenly as it wilts.
- Bake the Gnocchi: Cover the skillet with an oven-safe lid or foil. Bake for 20 minutes at 400°F, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking of the gnocchi.
- Broil with Cheese: Remove the skillet from the oven, uncover, layer the fresh mozzarella evenly on top, and place under the broiler set to high for about 5 minutes until the cheese melts, bubbles, and becomes golden brown in spots.
- Finish & Serve: Remove from the oven. Garnish with chopped fresh basil and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your hearty, comforting dish.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet such as cast iron to easily transfer from stovetop to oven.
- Stirring during baking helps cook gnocchi evenly and prevents sticking.
- Adjust seasoning before baking to suit taste preferences.
- Fresh mozzarella works best for melting, but shredded mozzarella can be substituted.
- Optional olive oil drizzle adds richness and enhances flavor.
