If you are craving comfort food with a delicious twist, this Cheesy Baked Gnocchi With Veggies Recipe is your new best friend. It combines pillowy gnocchi, hearty ground beef, colorful bell peppers, and vibrant baby spinach all baked under a golden blanket of melted mozzarella cheese. Every bite bursts with rich tomato sauce and subtle smoky spices, creating a cozy yet vibrant meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate. This dish is as satisfying as it is simple, making it perfect for weeknights or weekend indulgences alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on simple, wholesome ingredients that each bring their own magic to the dish—from the sweetness of the bell peppers to the creamy stretch of melted mozzarella. These essentials come together to create layers of flavor and texture that make the Cheesy Baked Gnocchi With Veggies Recipe truly unforgettable.
- 2 Tbsp olive oil: Adds a rich base for sautéing and helps bring out the flavors of the vegetables and spices.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses the dish with its irresistible aromatic punch.
- 1 small yellow onion, diced: Provides a subtle sweetness and soft texture to balance the savory elements.
- 1 large bell pepper, cored and chopped: Offers vibrant color and a pleasant crunch for freshness.
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika: Imparts a smoky warmth that deepens the overall flavor profile.
- 1/2 tsp chili powder: Adds a gentle kick without overwhelming the dish.
- 1 pound ground beef: Brings heartiness and a savory foundation to the meal.
- 3 cups tomato sauce: The rich, tangy element tying everything together; marinara works beautifully here.
- 2 cups baby spinach: Adds a fresh, leafy note and a boost of color and nutrition.
- 500 grams gnocchi: The soft, pillowy pasta that soaks up all the delicious sauce and spices.
- 200 grams shredded mozzarella: Creates that irresistible cheesy crust everyone loves.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: The simple seasonings that enhance and balance the dish.
- Fresh basil, to garnish: Brings a fragrant, herbal finish that brightens each serving.
How to Make Cheesy Baked Gnocchi With Veggies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Cooking Vessels
Begin by setting your oven to 375°F. If you own a large oven-safe skillet, you’re in luck because you can prepare and bake in one pan, saving time and cleanup. If not, have a big baking or casserole dish ready to transfer the mixture later. Getting this ready is the foundation of a smooth cooking process.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics and Veggies
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a spacious skillet. Toss in the minced garlic, diced onion, and chopped bell pepper, then sprinkle on smoked paprika and chili powder. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies soften and take on a slight golden tint. These fragrant flavors will build the savory backbone for your dish.
Step 3: Brown the Ground Beef
Add the ground beef to the skillet with your sautéed veggies. Cook it thoroughly, stirring frequently to break it up, until no pink remains, roughly 5-8 minutes. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper here; seasoning during cooking ensures the beef is flavorful and seasoned deeply, not just on the surface.
Step 4: Stir in Tomato Sauce and Spinach
Pour in the rich tomato sauce and add the fresh baby spinach. Cook just until the spinach wilts down, about 2 minutes. This step marries the sauce and greens with the beef and veggies, creating a colorful, luscious filling that coats each gnocchi perfectly.
Step 5: Combine with Gnocchi
Remove the skillet from heat and gently fold in the gnocchi. The gnocchi will soak up some of the sauce, giving each pillowy piece a burst of flavor. This combination is the heart of your Cheesy Baked Gnocchi With Veggies Recipe—comfort food in its most scrumptious form.
Step 6: Top with Cheese and Bake
Transfer the mixture into your prepared baking dish or keep it in the oven-safe skillet. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella generously over the surface. Slide your dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and delightfully golden in spots. This melty top is what takes the dish from delicious to crave-worthy.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Once baked, pull the dish from the oven and scatter fresh basil leaves on top. The herb adds a bright, fresh note that balances the richness and enhances the overall experience. Now, it’s time to dig in while it’s hot!
How to Serve Cheesy Baked Gnocchi With Veggies Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh basil is the perfect garnish here, lending a pop of color and a fresh herbal aroma. If you want to get a bit creative, a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes can add elegance and a bit more zing to each serving.
Side Dishes
This hearty baked gnocchi pairs beautifully with crisp green salads, roasted vegetables, or even a crusty artisan bread to mop up every last bit of cheesy, saucy goodness. A light, refreshing side balances the richness without overpowering the main dish.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties or family gatherings, serve the Cheesy Baked Gnocchi With Veggies Recipe in individual ramekins topped with fresh basil leaves. You can also add a handful of toasted pine nuts or grated Parmesan for extra texture and flavor contrast. Presentation with vibrant garnishes takes this comforting dish from casual to special quite effortlessly.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors tend to meld even more after a day, making for even tastier reheated meals.
Freezing
This dish freezes wonderfully. Portion it out into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating to preserve texture and flavor. It’s a fantastic option for busy weeknights.
Reheating
To reheat, pop leftovers in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or warm gently in the microwave. If you want to recreate the crispy top, a few extra minutes under the broiler will refresh that cheesy crust beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use chicken or turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground chicken or turkey works great in this recipe and provides a lighter alternative while still retaining the savory flavor base.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
To make it vegetarian, simply omit the ground beef and add more vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant. You can also use plant-based meat alternatives that hold up well to baking.
Can I use store-bought gnocchi, or should I make it from scratch?
Store-bought gnocchi is perfect for this recipe and saves a lot of prep time. The textures and flavors are just right when baked in the sauce and cheese mixture.
What type of cheese can I substitute for mozzarella?
While mozzarella offers mild creaminess and stretch, you can swap in fontina, provolone, or even a blend of mozzarella with cheddar for a sharper flavor.
How spicy is this dish? Can I adjust the heat level?
The chili powder adds a gentle warmth without overwhelming heat. Feel free to reduce it for a milder version or increase it or add red pepper flakes for more kick.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Baked Gnocchi With Veggies Recipe is truly a heartfelt meal that combines simple ingredients into something extraordinary. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or friends, it’s sure to become a beloved dish in your kitchen. Give it a try and enjoy all the cheesy, comforting goodness that this recipe brings to your table!
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Cheesy Baked Gnocchi With Veggies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Cheesy Baked Gnocchi With Veggies is a comforting and delicious one-dish meal featuring tender gnocchi baked with a savory mixture of ground beef, bell peppers, spinach, and tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. Perfect for a hearty family dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 large bell pepper, cored and chopped
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 cups tomato sauce (approximately 770 ml jar of marinara)
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 500 grams gnocchi (approx. 17.5 ounce package)
- 200 grams shredded mozzarella (7 ounces)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If you have a large oven-safe skillet, use it for the entire cooking process; otherwise, prepare a baking or casserole dish for later use.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add minced garlic, diced onion, and chopped bell pepper along with smoked paprika and chili powder. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are lightly browned and fragrant.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring regularly until the beef is no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper to your preference.
- Add Sauce and Spinach: Stir in the tomato sauce and baby spinach. Cook until the spinach wilts, approximately 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and mix in the gnocchi evenly with the sauce and vegetables.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the gnocchi mixture to a large baking dish if not using an oven-safe skillet. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish or skillet in the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes or until the mozzarella is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Using a large oven-safe skillet allows for fewer dishes and easy transfer from stovetop to oven.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or a plant-based alternative for variation.
- Adjust the chili powder and smoked paprika to your preferred spice level.
- If you prefer a crispier cheese topping, broil for the last 2-3 minutes watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
