Comfort food doesn't get much easier than this Spinach and Tomato Gnocchi Bake. Light and pillowy gnocchi in a rich tomato based sauce with leafy greens and a cheesy top. It's family friendly comfort food with a healthy twist. A fuss-free one pan carb loaded dinner that is easy to adapt and ready in under 30 minutes.
A comforting baked Italian dish doesn't have to involve pasta. Why not try swapping the pasta and using gnocchi instead?
If you want to try some more gnocchi recipes, take a look at our Creamy Sausage Gnocchi, Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi, Spring Vegetable Gnocchi or our quick and easy Salmon Gnocchi.
Also take a look at our super simple Air Fryer Gnocchi.
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Why you will love it
- Total comfort food
- An easy way to use gnocchi
- All cooked in one pan
- Easy to adapt
Ingredients needed
- Gnocchi - We used a good quality store bought gnocchi to save some time. However if you have a little extra time, then you could make your own. Why not try our Leftover Mashed Potato Gnocchi.
- Spinach - A great way to add a green boost to this dish. You could use chopped up kale instead.
- Sun-dried tomatoes - This adds a really intense tomato flavour to the dish. Add a little splash of the oil from the jar for more of a flavour boost.
- Onion - You can save yourself some time and use frozen. You can also swap it for shallots if you want a sweeter flavour.
- Garlic - Fresh is always best, but you could save yourself some time and use frozen garlic, or chopped garlic in a jar.
- Passata - This is pureed and strained tomatoes and it is where all the sauce comes from. Try to use the best quality passata that you can afford, as you will really be able to taste the difference. A great passata will be really watery and you won't get the same rich sauce, as this sauce doesn't cook for very long, so it doesn't have time to reduce. You can swap it fo a can of chopped tomatoes if you prefer.
- Creme fraiche - This gives the dish a little creaminess and helps to thicken it up. You could leave it out.
- Basil - The perfect herb to go with a tomato based dish.
- Parmesan - If you want to make this dish vegetarian, then use a vegetarian alternative to parmesan. If you want to make this vegan, you could just leave the cheese out.
- Mozzarella - This super melty cheese just finishes the whole dish off. You could swap it for a mature cheddar if you prefer.
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Step by step
Prep: Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6.
One: Heat the oil and sauté the onions and garlic until softened.
Two: Add the passata, basil, gnocchi, sun-dried tomatoes, creme fraiche and salt and pepper.
Three: Mix well and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
Four: Top with Parmesan and mozzarella.
Five: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Serve with more Parmesan and chopped basil.
What is gnocchi?
Gnocchi (pronounced NYOW-kee) are a type of Italian pasta, the most common of which is classic potato gnocchi (also known as Gnocchi di patate). They are made using cooked mashed potatoes (a great way to use leftovers), flour and eggs. Some gnocchi recipes add ricotta to the dough, and that does give it a richer flavour.
You can use it in all the same ways that you use other pasta, and it makes a nice change when you are bored of all the same pasta dishes.
How to adapt it
This is an easy dish to adapt, and you could swap in any vegetables that you have on hand. We used spinach because it cooks quickly, however you could sauté kale and use that instead.
Try to only use quick cooking veg, rather than root vegetables that would take longer. Bell peppers and courgettes work well in this, or you could fry some broccoli for an extra green boost. Artichokes go really well in it too. If you are making it for kids, then peas and sweetcorn are always a favourite.
To make this a really quick and easy meal, we used store bought gnocchi in a packet. However, you could make your own gnocchi which is far easier to make than you might think. We will have a recipe for that soon.
If you don't want tomato based sauce, and you would prefer a creamy one, then you could swap the creme fraiche, mustard and parmesan.
What to serve it with
Garlic bread of course! Gnocchi and garlic bread are such a delicious match. Either buy some ready made, or make your own easy garlic bread by cutting up some French stick and spreading it with a mix of butter, crushed garlic and dried herbs. Then pop it in the oven for 10 minutes.
You could also keep it simple with a big green salad. The key to an epic green salad is to use a variety of greens, like romaine, spinach, kale and rocket. You want leafy greens, but crunch too. Then you need the perfect dressing. Why not try our Lemon Vinaigrette, Honey and Mustard Dressing or Tomato and Basil Vinaigrette.
Extra tips
- If you wanted to add meat to this, then leftover shredded chicken or some chopped cooked bacon would work.
- If adding other vegetables, make sure they are quick cooking softer vegetables.
- You can use any cheese that melts well in this recipe.
- Top it with some fresh herbs, extra cheese and a sprinkling of pine nuts.
- A little bit of the starch water from the pan added to the sauce makes it lovely and silky, so don't drain all the water.
- If you don't have gnocchi, you could make this recipe with any pasta sauce instead - it's a great pasta sauce. It's also a good sauce to pour over chicken or salmon too.
FAQs
No, you do not to precook the gnocchi in this recipe, as it will all cook together in the sauce for an easy one pot meal.
This is an easy and delicious meat free meal, and it really does need any meat. However, if you wanted to add some then you could add some leftovers from a Roast Chicken or even some chopped up cooked sausages. You could also add some extra flavour with adding chopped bacon at the same time as the onion.
You can store leftover baked gnocchi in an air tight container in the fridge for around 4 days. You can either reheat it in a microwave or in a frying pan with a splash of stock to loosen it up a little, as the leftovers can be a little dry.
We don't recommend freezing leftovers, as once it is defrosted, it tends to fall apart and become a bit mushy.
Yes, you can easily make this gluten free. Just make sure to use gluten free gnocchi and make sure all the other ingredients that you are using are gluten free too.
We used store bought gnocchi to make this a super quick and easy meal, however you could use your favourite homemade gnocchi recipe for this too.
More Italian recipes
If you’ve tried this gnocchi bake recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Spinach and Sun-dried Tomato Gnocchi Bake
Ingredients
- 400 g (14 oz) Gnocchi
- 1 teaspoon Olive oil
- 1 (1) Onion - diced
- 2 Garlic clove - crushed
- 350 g (1.33 cups) Passata
- 50 g (4 cups) Spinach
- 10 g (0.5 cups) Fresh basil - chopped (plus extra to serve)
- 85 g (0.75 cups) Sun-dried tomatoes
- 3 tablespoon Creme fraiche
- 150 g (5 oz) Mozzarella - grated; optional
- 50 g (1.75 oz) Parmesan
- 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- Heat 1 teaspoon Olive oil and sauté 1 Onion and 2 Garlic clove until softened.
- Add 350 g Passata, 50 g Spinach, 10 g Fresh basil, 400 g Gnocchi, 85 g Sun-dried tomatoes, 3 tablespoon Creme fraiche and 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper.
- Mix well and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
- Top with 50 g Parmesan and 150 g Mozzarella.
- Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
- Serve with more Parmesan and chopped basil.
Recipe Tips
- If you wanted to add meat to this, then leftover shredded chicken or some chopped cooked bacon would work.
- If adding other vegetables, make sure they are quick cooking softer vegetables.
- You can use any cheese that melts well in this recipe.
- Top it with some fresh herbs, extra cheese and a sprinkling of pine nuts.
- A little bit of the starch water from the pan added to the sauce makes it lovely and silky, so don't drain all the water.
- If you don't have gnocchi, you could make this recipe with any pasta sauce instead - it's a great pasta sauce. It's also a good sauce to pour over chicken or salmon too.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Laura ~ RYG says
I love the idea of subbing out pasta for gnocchi and spicing up my life a little bit. And of course, sundries tomatoes are thrilling. So yummy.
David @ Spiced says
These is so much awesomeness about this post that I don't even know where to start, Dannii! First, Italian food = win. But gnocchi! I had gnocchi the very first time I traveled to Italy, and it has been a favorite ever since. I tried making gnocchi at home, and it was decent...but always lumpy. I learned that a potato ricer is the key to making the fluffy gnocchi like you get at restaurants. Anyways, I need this recipe today for sure. It sounds like a great way to start the week!
Sarah says
This looks and sounds like a lovely dish, quick and easy to make too. Yum!
kate says
What a lovely quick meal! These flavours sound great.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
It looks super comforting ad tasty!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
How delicious does this gnocchi bake sound? I love the looks of this, Dannii! Gnocchi is one of my favorites, yet I always forget to cook with it. Love the addition of sundried tomatoes in here. Sounds perfect!
Harriet says
I stocked up on Cirio products after your last post, so I am looking forward to seeing what else you make with them. I am adding this to the list of things to make.
Mir says
Gnocchi is either hit or miss with me. Some places make it not al dente enough, which makes it kind of soggy. But when they get it right, it's soooo good. And yours looks absolutely perfect! Plus, what could be better than putting in sun dried tomatoes?
Adam McKinley says
Loving the look of this, definitely going to make it myself! Thanks
shobha says
Amazing dish with flavourful ingredients. haven't tasted gnocchi since I left Brazil.
Nayna Kanabar says
My 1st experience with gnocchi was a disaster, a pan full of floury potato mush. I have not mustered the courage to retry. Waiting for your recipe to give me courage to make gnocchi at home again.
Codie says
I'm not a fan of Gnocchi, but my other half loves it. Maybe I'll surprise him later this week by making him this - it does look good! x
Angela says
I've never had gnocchi before, but I did actually see it in asda the other day and I wondered what it is. I would like to see a homemade version for it.
Rhian Westbury says
I only tried gnocchi for the first time last year as well! I didn't realise how much I'd love it x
Elizabeth says
I love gnocchi, I love spinach and I love sundried tomatoes! I need this recipe in my life!