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?

Cheesy baked gnocchi in a pan garnished with fresh basil and parsley.

Hi 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 gnocchi casserole is a delicious one!

How To Make This Baked Gnocchi Casserole

Full details on how to make this gnocchi casserole are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:

In a pan, cook some onion in a little olive oil under tender.
Add butter to your pan and cook mushrooms.
Add plenty of freshly minced garlic and cook for a bit. Season with a little salt and pepper.
Stir in artichokes, cooked gnocchi, pasta sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, fresh basil and some mozzarella.
Top with more mozzarella and Parmesan and bake until it’s bubbly around the edges and the cheese has melted. All that’s left to do is tuck into this scrumptious gnocchi casserole!

What Type of Gnocchi Should I Use?

For ease, use store-bought gnocchi. Just cook according to package instructions, slightly shy of full cook time (as gnocchi will finish in the oven).

Close-up of cheesy baked gnocchi in a pan garnished with fresh herbs.

Best Cheese To Use

A nice melting cheese works great in this recipe!

Pizza mozzarella was used here over, say, fresh mozzarella. It melts really well and is super stringy and delicious.

However, if you want to top with fresh mozzarella (or a combo of both), go for it!

Other delicious options are provolone, fontina and Gruyère.

Serving spoon scooping up some cheesy gnocchi from a pan.

Tips and Variations for This Gnocchi Casserole

Use your favourite pasta sauce. I used 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 in this gnocchi casserole? Stir in some baby spinach and cook until wilted.

A large spoonful of cheesy baked gnocchi held above a pan.

More Yummy Comfort Food Recipes

If you make this cheesy baked gnocchi casserole, be sure to leave a comment below!

Cheesy Baked Gnocchi Casserole

Dawn | Girl Heart Food

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?

5 from 13 votes

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Course Main Course

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

1.5 pounds store-bought gnocchi, about two (350-gram) packages
1.5 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced (about ½ pound or 227 grams)
4 cloves garlic, minced
pinch salt
pinch freshly ground black pepper
1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
2.5 cups pasta sauce, use your favourite variety
1 cup roughly chopped fresh basil, about a big handful
6 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (pizza mozzarella), divided (about 1.5 cups)
1 ounce Grated Parmesan cheese
Chopped fresh parsley, garnish to taste (optional)
Chopped fresh basil, garnish to taste (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for use shortly.
Cook gnocchi according to package instructions, just a little short of full cook time. Drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a 12-inch heavy oven-safe sauté/deep pan over medium heat on the stovetop.
Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Add butter and, once melted, add mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add a pinch each of salt and black pepper.
Stir in artichoke hearts, cooked gnocchi, crushed red pepper flakes, pasta sauce, basil and ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 ounces).
Turn off heat and sprinkle over remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake (uncovered) for 15 minutes or until it's bubbly around the edges and the cheese has melted. Garnish (if desired) with basil and/or parsley. Serve and enjoy!

A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

Keyword baked gnocchi recipe, gnocchi bake

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