Description
Cheesy Baked Gnocchi With Veggies is a comforting and hearty Italian-inspired dish that combines pillowy gnocchi, flavorful ground beef, sautéed vegetables, and a rich tomato sauce, all baked together under a layer of melted mozzarella cheese. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a family dinner, providing a satisfying blend of textures and tastes with fresh basil to finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 large bell pepper, cored and chopped
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, to garnish
Spices
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
Proteins & Dairy
- 1 pound ground beef
- 200 grams shredded mozzarella (7 ounces)
Other
- 3 cups tomato sauce (approximately a 770 ml jar of marinara)
- 500 grams gnocchi (approx. 17.5 ounce package)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a large oven-safe skillet or a baking/casserole dish where the baked gnocchi will be assembled and cooked.
- Sauté aromatics and vegetables. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add minced garlic, diced onion, and chopped bell pepper along with smoked paprika and chili powder. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are lightly browned and fragrant.
- Cook the ground beef. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook for 5–8 minutes, stirring regularly until the beef is no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add tomato sauce and spinach. Pour in the tomato sauce and stir in the baby spinach. Cook for about 2 minutes until the spinach has wilted. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the gnocchi until well combined.
- Transfer to baking dish and add cheese. If you used a non-oven-safe skillet, transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Bake until cheesy and bubbly. Place the dish or skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the mozzarella has melted and is bubbly.
- Garnish and serve. Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with a plant-based meat alternative or mushrooms.
- If you prefer extra crispy cheese topping, broil for the last 2-3 minutes watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Use store-bought or homemade gnocchi as preferred; fresh gnocchi will cook quickly and absorb flavors well.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or microwave but are best enjoyed fresh.
