Easy Baked Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce
Pillowy gnocchi baked in a quick tomato sauce with melty mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan—no boiling required. A cozy, kid-friendly dinner that’s on the table fast with minimal dishes.
This is the kind of dinner that saves a weeknight when everyone’s hungry and you’re out of energy. Everything bakes together in one dish, and the gnocchi cooks right in the sauce. Add a bagged salad or some steamed broccoli and you’ve got a reliable family win.
Total Time
30 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
25 min
Servings
4
Ingredients
Gnocchi & Sauce
- •1 (16-ounce) package shelf-stable potato gnocchi
- •1 tablespoon olive oil
- •3 cloves garlic, minced
- •1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- •1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- •1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- •1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce (about 3 cups)
- •1/4 cup water (use the marinara jar to measure and swirl)
Cheese & Finish
- •1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella (about 6 ounces)
- •1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- •2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)
- •Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly oil a 9x13-inch baking dish (or a similar 3-quart baking dish).
- 2
Add the olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the baking dish and stir to combine.
- 3
Pour in the marinara sauce and add the water (swirl it in the empty sauce jar to get every last bit). Stir well.
- 4
Add the gnocchi and stir until evenly coated in sauce. Spread into an even layer.
- 5
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- 6
Remove the foil, stir once, then sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.
- 7
Bake uncovered for 8–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
- 8
For extra browning, broil for 1–2 minutes (watch closely). Rest 5 minutes, then top with basil/parsley and red pepper flakes if using. Taste and add a pinch more salt if needed.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Nutrition calculated automatically from ingredients.