Description
This comforting Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce recipe features tender potato gnocchi cooked in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce made with garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and Italian seasoning. Finished with melted mozzarella, freshly grated parmesan, and fragrant basil, this easy stovetop dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that delivers classic Italian flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or white wine
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked potato gnocchi
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Small handful fresh basil, torn or sliced
Instructions
- Heat the fat and cook garlic: Add the olive oil and butter to a deep skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to infuse the fat with flavor without burning the garlic.
- Make the tomato sauce: Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato paste, chicken broth or white wine, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Stir well to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the gnocchi in sauce: Stir in the uncooked potato gnocchi. Cook, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, for 5-7 minutes until the gnocchi are tender and cooked through. The sauce will thicken slightly as the gnocchi release starch.
- Add cheeses and basil: Taste the gnocchi to confirm doneness, then stir in the shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, and fresh basil until the cheeses melt into a creamy finish. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately: Once the cheeses have melted and everything is heated through, remove from heat and serve right away for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth to make this recipe vegetarian.
- Use white wine for a deeper flavor in the sauce if desired.
- Fresh basil adds brightness; dried basil can be used if fresh is unavailable but add earlier in the cooking process.
- Gnocchi cooks quickly; watch closely to avoid overcooking and becoming mushy.
- Adding cheeses at the end ensures they melt perfectly without separating.
