Baked Gnocchi with Italian Sausage, Grape Tomatoes, Spinach, and Mozzarella
I was in the mood for a gooey cheesy casserole this weekend so I created this baked saucy gnocchi with Italian sausage, grape tomatoes, spinach, and mozzarella. It was quick to make, made my house smell incredible, and tasted so good! We all loved this gnocchi bake, especially my son, who had thirds. I love simple, fast, meals that my entire family devours.
How to Make Baked Gnocchi with Italian Sausage, Grape Tomatoes, Spinach, and Mozzarella
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up into crumbles and stirring often, for 3 minutes. Add the grape tomatoes, shallot, and crushed red pepper flakes then cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Add the canned tomatoes and lower heat to low; simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally while making sure to break up the canned tomatoes with the spoon. Taste and season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.
Cook the gnocchi in salted boiling water, per package instructions, for about 3 minutes; drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water.
Add the drained gnocchi to the tomato sauce and a bit of the cooking water if needed. Add the fresh baby spinach and toss to coat evenly. Place into a baking dish and top with pieces of ripped mozzarella (or shredded is fine too).
Place into the oven and bake for 10 minutes. If you want to brown the cheese, place the baking dish under the broiler for a minute or two -watch it carefully so it doesn’t burn!
Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Add the fresh basil to the top and serve with Parmesan on the side. Enjoy.
Ingredients
- 2 tsp olive oil
- ½ lb ground sweet Italian sausage
- Handful of grape tomatoes
- 1 shallot diced
- Pinch crushed red pepper flakes to taste
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 28 oz can of whole tomatoes
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 12 oz of Parmesan gnocchi prepared per package instructions
- 1 heaping cup of baby spinach
- Fresh mozzarella to taste
- Fresh basil
- Parmesan
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up into crumbles and stirring often, for 3 minutes.
- Add the grape tomatoes, shallot, and crushed red pepper flakes then cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds.
- Add the canned tomatoes and lower heat to low; simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally while making sure to break up the canned tomatoes with the spoon.
- Taste and season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.
- Cook the gnocchi in salted boiling water, per package instructions, for about 3 minutes; drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water.
- Add the drained gnocchi to the tomato sauce and a bit of the cooking water if needed.
- Add the fresh baby spinach and toss to coat evenly.
- Pour into a baking dish and top with pieces of ripped mozzarella (or shredded is fine too). Place into the oven and bake for 10 minutes. If you want to brown the cheese, place the baking dish under the broiler for a minute or two - watch it carefully so it doesn't burn!
- Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
- Add the fresh basil to the top and serve with Parmesan on the side. Enjoy.
What a mouthwatering and comforting dish!
Great looking creation Pam – I need to try the store-bought gnocchi.
I love gnocchi! Never baked it, though. Terrific — and flavorful! — idea. Thanks.
What a delicious Italian dinner.
I’ve never seen parmesan gnocchi at our local stores, so I’m wondering how well this recipe works with regular potato gnocchi. I typically buy it rather than making it on my own.
Mitch, This is potato gnocchi that has Parmesan in it.
Pam
i really like gnocchi but i don’t seem to prepare it very often! this is primo comfort food.