Description
This creamy tomato gnocchi recipe combines tender gnocchi with a rich, flavorful tomato sauce made from fresh cherry tomatoes, garlic, and a blend of Italian herbs. Topped with melted mozzarella and fresh basil, it’s a quick and satisfying meal perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Sauce and Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 100g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) water or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon lighter cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 300g fresh gnocchi
- 50g mozzarella, thinly sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Heat the oil and sauté onion: Heat your oil in a skillet or pan over low heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until the onions become soft and translucent.
- Add garlic and cherry tomatoes: Stir in the minced garlic and halved cherry tomatoes, allowing them to cook briefly with the onions to develop flavor.
- Season and add tomato paste: Add the dried oregano, Italian seasoning, thyme, and tomato paste to the pan. Stir to combine everything evenly.
- Simmer tomatoes in broth: Pour in the vegetable broth or water and let the tomatoes simmer for 7-8 minutes. Use the back of your spoon to gently break down the tomatoes into a saucy consistency.
- Incorporate cream cheese and gnocchi: Add the lighter cream cheese and fresh gnocchi to the pan. Stir continuously for about 2 minutes until the cream cheese melts completely and the gnocchi is well coated with the creamy tomato sauce.
- Season and prepare for grilling: Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the gnocchi and sauce to an oven-safe dish if your skillet is not oven-safe. Layer the thinly sliced mozzarella over the top.
- Grill cheese topping: Place the dish under a grill (broiler) for up to 5 minutes until the mozzarella has melted and the tops of the gnocchi develop a lightly crispy, golden finish.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the grill and scatter fresh, thinly sliced basil on top. Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
Notes
- Using vegetable broth instead of water enhances the sauce’s flavor.
- For a richer sauce, substitute lighter cream cheese with full-fat cream cheese or heavy cream.
- If you don’t have a grill or broiler, you can melt the cheese on the stovetop by covering the pan with a lid over low heat until melted.
- Fresh gnocchi cooks quickly; ensure not to overcook it during simmering to maintain a good texture.
- Adjust herbs and seasoning according to your taste preference.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
