I've had a longstanding relationship with just about every kind of cheese. And by relationship, I really mean obsession. Whether it's this Cheesy Baked Gnocchi or a decadent cheese plate, there's no way I can turn down anything with cheese!
Now when that cheese happens to be fresh mozzarella that's melted and slathered all over some perfect cooked gnocchi... ALL BETS ARE OFF. No one should be held accountable for their actions when a bowl of this is involved. The little pillows of gnocchi are doused in the worlds best sauce made of crispy pancetta, tomatoes, shallots, garlic and a hint of smoked paprika to give it some depth. And then baked long enough just to melt that mozzarella and make it perfectly gooey. Ugh - I can't even handle it!!!!
Give me a vat of this Cheesy Baked Gnocchi, a big cuddly blanket, and a chilly day and it's pretty much a recipe for perfection!
And heads up - the pancetta in this recipe can easily be substituted with chopped bacon if that's more your jam. Or you can leave it out if you want a vegetarian version of the Cheesy Baked Gnocchi. And if you're just feeling the gnocchi vibe, this Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi is also a winner!
Cheesy Baked Gnocchi
Ingredients
- 1 lb package store-bought gnocchi
- 4 ounces pancetta chopped
- 1 shallot finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 15- ounce can chopped tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- handful cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- fresh basil torn
- kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 10 ounces fresh mozzarella torn into pieces
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Once boiling, cook the gnocchi until they just start to float. Remove them from the water once they float and immediately submerge them in an ice bath. Once cold, remove from the ice bath and set aside.
- Meanwhile, add the cubed pancetta to a medium skillet over medium high heat and cook until most of the fat has rendered and the pancetta has browned. Pour off most of the fat, reduce heat to medium, and then add the shallots, garlic and smoked paprika. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, cherry tomatoes and sugar and allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the cream. Add the gnocchi to the sauce and season with salt and pepper and torn basil.
- Transfer the gnocchi and sauce to an oven-proof dish and top with the torn mozzarella.
- Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes until the mozzarella is melted and golden.
- Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe by What’s Gaby Cooking
This looks addicting!
Congratulations on a job well done. I now want this for second breakfast.
This is my kind of dinner. Love all of that cheesy goodness.
-Jamie
This looks so amazing! I love smoked paprika and I imagine it tastes perfect with this dish!
Woweeee! Want this fabulous baked goodness 🙂
What a great way to do gnocchi! You can't go wrong with cheese! 🙂
I'm right there with you on the cheese addiction! It's a wonderful, wonderful thing. Beautiful pictures, Gaby!
well, cheese is a perfectly acceptable addiction in my book! this gnocchi looks fab!
This looks positively delectable! A nice plateful of this and I could catch up on some of my shows!!
So gorgeous! I mean who can resist....cheese!! Pinned! Happy Halloween!
Now. that's a bowl of pasta I'd like to dive into!
You had me at heavy cream. This sounds like heaven.
I just made a baked gnocchi recipe too! Great minds think alike! 🙂 Love your photos!
This looks amaaaaaazing!! I love gnocchi and this looks super yummy.
I bet the smoked paprika gives it a really nice flavor!