Description
This One Pot Tomato Gnocchi with Spinach is a comforting and easy-to-make Italian-inspired dish that combines tender shelf-stable gnocchi simmered in a rich tomato sauce with fresh spinach and melted mozzarella cheese. Cooked entirely in one oven-safe skillet, this recipe simplifies dinner preparation while delivering layers of flavor with sautéed onions, garlic, and tomato paste, finished with a crisp, bubbly layer of mozzarella under the broiler.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 16 oz shelf stable gnocchi
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup vegetable stock
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1.5 cups fresh spinach
- 4 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced or torn
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the gnocchi later in the recipe.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Warm a large oven-safe skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt. Then add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes until the onions turn lightly translucent. Add the sliced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant, making sure not to let the garlic brown.
- Cook the Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste with the onion and garlic mixture. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring often so the tomato paste deepens in color and develops a richer, slightly caramelized flavor.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and vegetable stock. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir everything well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, ensuring it bubbles softly without boiling vigorously.
- Add Gnocchi & Spinach: Add the uncooked gnocchi and fresh spinach directly to the skillet. Stir gently to make sure the gnocchi is submerged in the sauce and the spinach begins to wilt evenly.
- Bake the Gnocchi: Cover the skillet with an oven-safe lid or foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, stirring approximately every 5 minutes to prevent sticking and to ensure even cooking of the gnocchi.
- Broil with Cheese: Remove the lid or foil. Evenly arrange the fresh mozzarella slices or torn pieces on top of the gnocchi and sauce. Place the skillet under the broiler on high for about 5 minutes until the cheese melts, bubbles, and develops golden brown spots.
- Finish & Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped basil. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil if desired. Serve hot and enjoy this hearty one-pot meal!
Notes
- You can substitute fresh gnocchi for shelf-stable if available; cooking times may vary slightly.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the ingredients to a baking dish before baking.
- Use vegetable stock or water if preferred; vegetable stock adds more depth of flavor.
- For a richer taste, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic.
- To make it vegan, substitute butter with olive oil and use vegan cheese alternatives.
- Stirring during baking ensures gnocchi cooks evenly and prevents sticking to the pan.
- Keep an eye on the cheese under the broiler to avoid burning, as broiler intensity can vary.
