If you’re looking for a hug in food form, this cheesy baked gnocchi casserole is for you! With plenty of garlic, gnocchi, pasta sauce, fresh basil, mushrooms, artichokes and copious amounts of cheese, what’s not to love?
Hey friends!
If there was ever such thing as a hug in food form, this is it.
Pillowy gnocchi…
Tomato sauce…
Mushrooms and artichokes…
Fresh aromatic basil…
And plenty of ooey gooey cheese.
Yep, this is a delicious one!
How to Make Baked Gnocchi Casserole
Full details on how to make this gnocchi casserole is in the recipe card below, but here are the basics –
- Cook some onion in a little olive oil under tender.
- Add butter to your pan and cook mushrooms.
- Add plenty of freshly minced garlic, salt and pepper.
- Artichokes go into the pan next.
- Followed by your cooked gnocchi.
- Pour in your favourite pasta sauce, along with some red chili flakes.
- Lots of fresh basil goes next.
- Stir in a little mozzarella.
- Top with more mozzarella and parmesan and bake until golden brown and delicious! All that’s left to do is tuck in!
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What Type of Gnocchi Should I Use?
For ease, opt for a store-bought gnocchi. Just cook per package instructions, slightly shy of full cook time (as gnocchi will finish in the oven).
What’s the Best Type of Cheese?
A nice melting cheese works great!
‘Pizza mozzarella’ was used here over, say, fresh mozzarella. It melts really well and is super stringy and delicious.
If you want to top this bad boy with fresh mozzarella, though, (or a combo of both), go for it!
Other delicious options are provolone, fontina and gruyère.
More Tips + Variations
Use your favourite pasta sauce. I opted for a ‘spicy red pepper’ version, but use whatever you enjoy best or have on hand.
Instead of artichokes, some sun-dried tomatoes would be lovely.
If you want, you can add some cooked protein to the mix, like sausage, ground beef, pancetta or chicken.
Want a little extra veg? Stir in some baby spinach and cook until wilted.
Other Comfort Food Recipes You May Enjoy
- Chicken, Sausage and Peppers – Hearty chicken and sausage with peppers and potatoes – talk about comfort food!
- Hunter’s Chicken – Chicken and mushrooms in a rich tomato sauce. Delicious over polenta.
- Chicken and Sausage with Gnocchi in Tomato Sauce – Total comfort food right there!
- Spaghetti and Meatballs from Natasha’s Kitchen – Made with ground beef and sausage and packed with flavour!
Hope you love this cheesy baked gnocchi recipe as much as we do!
Until next time, take care and chit chat again soon,
Dawn
Make this gnocchi casserole? That’s awesome! Love it if you left a comment and rating below. Many thanks!
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Cheesy Baked Gnocchi Casserole
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds store-bought gnocchi (I used two (350 gram) packages)
- 1.5 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion , peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 227 grams cremini mushrooms , sliced (about 1/2 pound)
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- pinch salt
- pinch black pepper
- 1 cup marinated artichokes , roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- 2.5 cups pasta sauce (I used a 650 millilitre bottle)
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 cup fresh basil , roughly chopped (big handful)
- 6 ounces shredded mozzarella , divided ('pizza' mozzarella, 25% milk fat, 50% moisture, about 1.5 cups)
- 1 ounce grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook gnocchi per package instructions, just a little short of full cook time. Drain. Preheat oven to 375 degress Fahrenheit at this point too.
- In a 12 inch pan on medium heat, add olive oil.
- Once oil shimmering, add onion and cook 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add butter and once melted add mushrooms and cook 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add a pinch each of salt and pepper.
- Stir in artichokes (if they are packed in oil, rinse and drain), chili flakes, sauce, basil and 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 ounces).
- Turn off heat and sprinkle over remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese (if using).
- Bake 15 minutes. Turn up heat for a few minutes so cheese gets a little golden brown. Garnish with basil and/or parsley. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use your favourite pasta sauce. I opted for a ‘spicy red pepper’ version, but use whatever you enjoy best or have on hand.
- Instead of artichokes, some sun-dried tomatoes would be lovely.
- If you want, you can add some cooked protein to the mix, like sausage, ground beef, pancetta or chicken.
- Want a little extra veg? Stir in some baby spinach and cook until wilted.
