Description
This Easy Baked Gnocchi recipe combines tender gnocchi with a flavorful turkey and spinach sauce, topped with melty mozzarella cheese, all baked together in one skillet for a comforting, hearty meal that’s simple to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
For the Sauce and Meat
- 1/2 a yellow onion – finely diced
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 3 large handfuls spinach
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb gnocchi – no need to cook or boil before using
- 28 oz marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Sauté Onions: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, then add the olive oil and finely diced yellow onion. Sauté the onions until they are soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Cook Ground Turkey and Season: Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up into small crumbles as it cooks. After about 3 minutes of browning, sprinkle in salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil to infuse the meat mixture with aromatic spices.
- Add Spinach and Wilt: Toss the fresh spinach into the skillet with the turkey and onions. Sauté until the spinach wilts and is fully combined with the other ingredients.
- Combine Gnocchi and Sauce: Turn off the heat. Pour the uncooked gnocchi and marinara sauce into the skillet. Toss everything together evenly so the gnocchi is coated and mixed well with the sauce and meat mixture. Then, evenly spread the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake the Dish: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 28-30 minutes at 350°F. Once baked, remove the skillet from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- Do not boil the gnocchi before adding it to the skillet; it will cook through during baking.
- Using an oven-safe skillet allows for a neat one-pan bake and easy transition from stovetop to oven.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Feel free to substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or beef according to preference.
- Add extra veggies like mushrooms or bell peppers to increase nutritional value.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
