⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes • 🍳 Cook Time: 25 minutes

If you're craving something cheesy, saucy, and soul-soothing but can’t be bothered with a single pot of boiling water — this one’s for you. Just toss gnocchi, sauce, and cheese into a baking dish and let the oven work its magic. No chopping, no boiling, no stress.

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*Tender gnocchi baked in rich marinara, blanketed in melted mozzarella*

This is my lazy-night secret weapon — the kind of meal that comes together when your fridge is uninspiring but you still want something warm and cheesy and filling. Shelf-stable gnocchi is the MVP here — no need to pre-boil it, it softens perfectly in the oven as it absorbs the marinara.

I usually make this in a deep 9x9 dish or even a loaf pan if I’m doing a smaller batch. You can jazz it up with chili flakes, frozen spinach, or a little pesto swirled in if you feel fancy, but it’s totally delicious on its own. Oh — and it reheats like a champ. I’m talking cheesy-lunch-leftovers-you-look-forward-to kind of good.

🍽️ Servings: 4 • 🔥 Calories/Serving: 410

Ingredients

1 (16 oz) package shelf-stable potato gnocchi
2 cups jarred marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1 tbsp olive oil
Optional: red pepper flakes, fresh basil, or pesto for garnish

Steps

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.

Step 2

Add gnocchi, marinara sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and olive oil to the dish. Stir until gnocchi is evenly coated.

Step 3

Top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan.

Step 4

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5–7 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.

Step 5

Let rest for a few minutes, then garnish with red pepper flakes or basil if using.

Make it your own!

🌿 Add greens
Stir in ½ cup of frozen spinach or chopped frozen kale before baking.
🧀 Make it extra cheesy
Add a few spoonfuls of ricotta before baking for creamy pockets of goodness.
🌶️ Spice it up
Mix in a pinch of chili flakes or a swirl of Calabrian chili paste for heat.
🐄 Go dairy-free
Use your favorite plant-based cheese and a splash of cashew cream or dairy-free creamer.