Creamy Baked Gnocchi with Mozzarella and Tomato Sauce

This Gnocchi Bake is covered in cheese and a creamy tomato sauce that everyone will love. It takes just 5 minutes of prep but feels like a gourmet meal. With layers of flavour in the sauce, this dish is likely to become a family favourite.

Recipe Difficulty – Very Easy

Why this recipe works

Gnocchi is a comforting base, and when combined with a rich, creamy tomato sauce and a crisp baked cheese topping it becomes irresistible. The sauce in this recipe layers sweet tomatoes, briny olives and capers, fresh herbs and a touch of lemon for balance. A quick boil of the gnocchi ensures a tender texture before baking, resulting in a golden, bubbling finish.

Ingredients to make Gnocchi Bake

1. Cream Cheese – dairy or dairy-free cream cheese to create a silky sauce.
2. Grated Cheese – use your preferred cheese. Vegan cheeses, Parmesan, mozzarella or ricotta work well for topping.
3. Olive Oil – for sautéing the vegetables.
4. Red Onion – mild and slightly sweet when cooked.
5. Garlic Cloves – adds essential depth to the sauce.
6. Plum Tomatoes – juicy and flavourful, they form the base of the sauce.
7. Black Olives – bring an earthy, salty note.
8. Capers – add a lemony, briny bite.
9. Passata –strained tomato purée to thicken the sauce.
10. Spinach –adds colour, nutrition and a mild flavour.
11. Fresh Basil –sweet and aromatic.
12. Fresh Parsley –peppery freshness to finish the sauce.
13. Lemon –a squeeze of juice brightens the dish.
14. Gnocchi – store-bought or homemade; gluten-free gnocchi is fine too.

See recipe card for full ingredient quantities and details.

Substitutions

• Vegetables – Swap or add vegetables based on what you have. Broccoli, peppers, zucchini or mushrooms are great additions.
• Tomatoes – Cherry tomatoes can replace plum tomatoes if you prefer.
• Greens – Substitute kale or arugula for spinach.
• Sauce – If using marinara instead of passata, reduce any extra seasoning so the sauce doesn’t become over-flavoured.

Variations

• Spicy – Add red pepper flakes or chopped fresh chilli for heat.
• Herby – Finish with extra fresh herbs for added aroma and colour.
• Protein boost – Add cooked chicken, Italian sausage or beef for a non-vegetarian version, or add tofu for a plant-based protein.

How to make Gnocchi Bake

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F). Slice the onion, crush the garlic, quarter the tomatoes and prepare the capers.

Step 2: Heat about 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet. Sauté the onion and garlic briefly, then add the chopped tomatoes, olives, capers and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook down for about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Stir in the passata, cream cheese, spinach, basil, parsley and lemon juice. Simmer for 5 minutes so the flavours meld and the spinach wilts.

Step 4: Meanwhile, boil the gnocchi for 2–3 minutes until they float and are tender.

Step 5: Drain the gnocchi and fold them into the sauce so they are evenly coated.

Step 6: Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, sprinkle with grated cheese and bake for 20 minutes until golden and bubbling. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Hint: Gnocchi are done when they float—this means they’re tender and ready for the oven.

Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.

Recipe FAQs

More Baked Dinner recipes

• Chicken Pasta Bake
• Mushroom Stroganoff Pasta Bake
• Salmon Tray Bake
• Sausage Pasta Bake
• Tuna Pasta Bake
• Aubergine Bake

You might also like

15 Minute Dinners

Sausage Gnocchi

Dinner

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

5 Ingredients

Sausage Pesto Gnocchi

Dinner

Mushroom Stroganoff Pasta Bake