Baked gnocchi combines Italian sausage, onions, mushrooms, baby spinach, and garlic, all smothered in marinara and mozzarella cheese. This tasty dish is excellent for hearty appetites and large families. Serve with a simple Italian salad and a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients on the recipe card below.
- Italian Sausage: Substitute ground beef or ground turkey.
- Mushrooms: Both cremini and white button mushrooms work well in this recipe.
- Gnocchi: Gnocchi are small, soft dumplings usually made from potatoes, but can also be made from ricotta and semolina. Find them in the frozen, refrigerated, or dried pasta section of your local grocery store.
- Marinara: You can use tomato sauce if you prefer or your favorite bottled marinara.
- Mozzarella: Low-moisture whole milk mozzarella is best.
How to Make Baked Gnocchi
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the sausage and break it up. Cook for a few minutes or until browned.
- Add the onions and mushrooms, cooking until the onions are soft, the mushrooms are browned, and the sausage is cooked through.
- Reduce the heat to low, add the spinach, and cook until wilted. Add the Italian seasoning and garlic; cook for a minute. Remove the cooked sausage and veggies to a plate.
- In the same skillet over medium heat, melt the remaining butter. Add the gnocchi and cook for several minutes. Add the sausage and veggies back to the skillet.
- Stir in the marinara and top with the shredded mozzarella.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until the cheese melts.
Preparation Tips For Success
- For a change of pace, swap out the marinara sauce for alfredo sauce. So yummy!
- Add some steamed broccoli or sweet baby peas.
- Use an ovenproof skillet and cook it all in one pan, or finish mixing and baking it in a casserole dish.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, basil, or thyme.
More Pasta Recipes
Easy Baked Gnocchi Recipe
Cheesy Baked Gnocchi is an easy weeknight recipe with Italian Sausage, onion, mushrooms, spinach, and mozzarella cheese, all baked in one ovenproof skillet.
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Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 503kcal
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter divided
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- ½ medium yellow onion chopped
- 8 ounces mushrooms sliced
- 4 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 24 ounces refrigerated skillet gnocchi
- 24 ounces marinara or tomato sauce
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and break it up with a spoon or spatula. Cook for a few minutes or until the sausage starts to brown.
- Add the onions and mushrooms to the skillet, cooking until the onions are soft, the mushrooms are browned, and the Italian sausage is cooked through and no longer pink.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the spinach in several increments, cooking until wilted. Add the Italian Seasoning and garlic, cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly. Remove the cooked sausage and veggies to a large plate.
- Melt the remaining butter in the skillet over medium heat. Add the gnocchi and cook for several minutes, flipping to brown lightly on both sides. Add the cooked sausage and veggies back to the skillet.
- Stir in the marinara and season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with the shredded mozzarella. Bake uncovered for about 22-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through. Top with chopped fresh parsley or basil.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
- To freeze, first fully cool. Then store in a sturdy freezer-safe airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Nutrition
Calories: 503kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 1340mg | Potassium: 607mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2108IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 205mg | Iron: 5mg
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Catalina
My whole family loves gnocchi. I am sure they will love this recipe too!
Erik
I love all the cheesy goodness on top. Such an easy and satisfying dinner!
Tara
This baked gnocchi will have you coming back for seconds – believe me! So warm and comforting.
Charles
Hi, Now i know what to do with the frozen gnocci in my freezer! I’ll make your Baked Gnocci! Thank you for sharing!
Juliane
This gnocchi recipe is one of the bests, ever!!
Erin
Such a satisfying dish! We loved it!
Sandra McCollum
Such a delicious and hearty family meal. Thanks for sharing!
Sharon
This baked gnocchi is easy comfort food. I love the Italian sausage and marinara inside, and the cheesy goodness on top.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Sharon. So happy that you enjoyed it.
Dannii
Total comfort food and so many ways to adapt it too.
Beth Pierce
So true!
Dana
This is so incredibly cozy and delicious! We all really enjoyed this one and I plan on making it again. Something about that hearty, chewy gnocchi just screams for these cooler months!