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
Scale
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.
