Description
This Three Cheese Baked Gnocchi with Spinach is a comforting and delicious Italian-inspired dish featuring tender potato gnocchi baked in a creamy tomato and mascarpone sauce, layered with fresh baby spinach, melted mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it combines rich flavors and gooey cheese for a satisfying, cheesy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 onion, minced
- 1 large clove garlic, minced or thinly sliced
- 12 ounces DeLallo Passata Tomato Purée
- 1/2 cup broth or water
- Torn basil, to taste
- 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Main
- 16 ounces DeLallo Potato Gnocchi (shelf-stable or frozen)
- Handful of baby spinach
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- Parmesan cheese, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) to get ready for baking the gnocchi later.
- Prepare Sauce: Heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a skillet or saucepan. Add minced onion and garlic and sauté gently until they become translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Simmer Tomato Sauce: Pour in the passata tomato purée and broth or water. Bring the mixture to a low simmer and let it cook for a few minutes to meld the flavors.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in torn basil leaves, mascarpone cheese, and salt to the sauce. Mix well until the mascarpone melts smoothly into the sauce, creating a creamy texture.
- Combine Gnocchi and Spinach: Add the gnocchi and baby spinach directly into the sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat all gnocchi and spinach evenly with the tomato cream sauce.
- Assemble for Baking: Transfer the mixture into a baking dish if it’s not oven-safe. Top evenly with fresh mozzarella slices and sprinkle Parmesan cheese generously over the top.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese on top is melted, gooey, and lightly golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with additional torn basil if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your cheesy, comforting Three Cheese Baked Gnocchi!
Notes
- This dish is best served fresh out of the oven to enjoy the creamy texture and melted cheese at their peak.
- Frozen gnocchi can be used in place of shelf-stable, just add a minute or two to cooking time if necessary.
- Feel free to add extra spinach or other greens for added nutrition.
- You can substitute mascarpone with cream cheese or ricotta if mascarpone is unavailable, though flavor and texture will vary slightly.
- Pair this baked gnocchi with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 387
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 824 mg
- Fat: 20.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 10.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 36.8 g
- Fiber: 0.7 g
- Protein: 13.6 g
- Cholesterol: 47.9 mg
