Gnocchi with Marinara Sauce is an easy, one skillet meal, that's great for busy weeknights. It only takes 25 minutes to make and is the perfect cozy meal that the whole family will love.
I'm all about a one pot meal, especially when it involves pasta or gnocchi. This is such a simple recipe that tastes amazing and uses less than 10 ingredients. Plus, it saves time by using a jarred marinara sauce, and we all use a little extra time!
Love one pot meals? Try this Chicken and Noodles, French Onion Soup Pasta, Creamy Chorizo Pasta, Deconstructed Lasagna, and Broccoli Orzo.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe:
- It's Quick & Easy. Ready to eat in under 30 minutes and the perfect Weeknight Dinner!
- Minimal Dishes Required. This gnocchi cooks in just one skillet.
- Full of Flavor. Delicious gnocchi meets marinara pasta sauce with parmesan cheese and fresh basil for a meal your tastebuds will love.
- Great for on a Budget. Inexpensive ingredients are used for this recipe that feeds the whole family.
- Vegetarian Friendly. This is a meatless recipe that is great for vegetarians, but also hearty enough for meat eaters.
For more Gnocchi Recipes, try this Pesto Gnocchi and Sausage Gnocchi with Spinach.
Ingredients:
Gnocchi: An Italian dumpling with a soft, chewy texture. A lot of people think gnocchi is pasta, but it's actually made from potatoes. They cook in just a few minutes and so are tasty and filling.
Garlic and Shallot: Sautéed in olive oil to soften. These add a lot of extra flavor, which is especially important since we are using a jarred sauce to save time.
Marinara Sauce: A simple solution for saving time and energy in the kitchen. Plus, a lot of jarred sauces are really delicious. Choose your favorite marinara sauce. The gnocchi will cook right in the sauce, which allows us to make this whole meal in one skillet.
Parmesan Cheese: Added for topping the dish. I highly recommend Parmigiano Reggiano for it's bold, nutty flavor and superior taste.
Basil: Basil is chopped and spread on top for a fresh bite and it adds lovely color.
*Full recipe ingredients and quantities can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions and Variations:
If you want to make homemade sauce, check out my recipe for San Marzano Marinara Sauce.
Want to add extra veggies? Chopped and drained roasted red peppers or baby spinach would go great in this recipe. Add them in with the sauce before covering.
Love spice? Sprinkle in crushed red pepper into the sauce or add a touch of Calabrian Chili Pepper Sauce.
For more protein, top this gnocchi with this Crusted Chicken Romano, Chicken Fritta, or Oven Baked Italian Sausage.
How to Make Gnocchi with Marinara:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to broil. Bring a large skillet on the stovetop to medium low heat. Pour in the olive oil. Add in the shallot and salt and cook for two minutes, stirring frequently. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for 60 seconds.
Step 2: Pour in the gnocchi and marinara sauce. Allow the sauce to heat up for a few minutes, stirring frequently. Cover with lid, and cook for 2 minutes, then reduce heat to low and cook an additional 4-6 minutes until gnocchi is fully cooked, stirring half way through.
Step 3: Uncover and sprinkle over parmesan cheese. Add the skillet to the oven and broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese starts to bubble.
Step 4: Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes. Top with fresh basil. Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips:
- Cook the shallot and garlic for just a few minutes to soften and allow the shallots to become translucent. Browning them too much will cause a bitter flavor.
- Do not cook the gnocchi too long or they will become mushy and overcooked. Make sure to stir the gnocchi half way through the cooking process, so they don't stick to the bottom of the pan.
For recipes to pair with gnocchi, try this Arugula Spinach Salad, Garlic Bread in the Air Fryer and Caprese Burrata.
Recipe FAQs:
Gnocchi is a lot like pasta and pairs well with a lot of different sauces. This recipe uses jarred marinara to save time, but you could also try this homemade San Marzano Sauce. If you like Spicy, check out this Arrabiata Sauce. Gnocchi is also delicious in a creamy sauce like in this Alfredo Sauce for Spaghetti, or try a Pink Sauce Recipe. Gnocchi even tastes great with pesto sauce in this Gnocchi Genovese.
Yes! I recommend cooking the gnocchi covered in sauce on medium low heat and covering the skillet to make sure it cooks well. It won't take long, only minutes, so keep an eye on it and stir frequently to avoid the gnocchi from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Allow the gnocchi to cool down to room temperature. Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat the gnocchi, microwave in 30 second increments until hot, reheat in a 350 degree oven until warm, or heat in skillet. You can add extra sauce if needed.
More Easy Weeknight Dinners You Will Love:
If you tried this Gnocchi Marinara or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
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Gnocchi with Marinara Sauce (One Skillet Recipe)
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 17 ounces of gnocchi 1x
Description
Gnocchi with Marinara Sauce is an easy, one skillet recipe, that's great for busy weeknights. It only takes 25 minutes to make and is the perfect cozy meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 shallot, peeled and minced
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
- 17 ounce package potato gnocchi
- 2 cups marinara sauce + additional for serving if desired
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded fine
- 2 tablespoon fresh basil, minced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to broil. Bring a large skillet on the stovetop to medium low heat. Pour in the olive oil. Add in the shallot and salt and cook for two minutes, stirring frequently. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for 60 seconds.
- Pour in the gnocchi and marinara sauce. Allow the sauce to heat up for a few minutes, stirring frequently. Cover with lid and cook for 2 minutes, then reduce heat to low and cook an additional 4-6 minutes until gnocchi is fully cooked, stirring half way through.
- Uncover and sprinkle over parmesan cheese. Add the skillet to the oven and broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese starts to bubble.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes. Top with fresh basil. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Cook the shallot and garlic for just a few minutes to soften and allow the shallots to become translucent. Browning them too much will cause a bitter flavor.
- Do not cook the gnocchi too long or they will become mushy and overcooked. Make sure to stir the gnocchi half way through the cooking process, so they don't stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: dinner
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Josie
This is such a great weeknight meal and I love gnocchi!