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You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Recipes / Pasta

Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce

Published: Jan 14, 2023 by Anna 9 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

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This quick and easy Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce recipe calls for 6 simple ingredients and is done in 30 minutes. The potato gnocchi is boiled, then briefly fried in a pan, and finally tossed in simple tomato sauce. A garnish of cheese and parsley is a perfect finishing touch!

Gnocchi in tomato sauce with Parmesan on a cream plate.
Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Dish
  • Ingredients:
  • How to make gnocchi with tomato sauce?
  • Helpful Tips!
  • What to serve with gnocchi and sauce?
  • What gnocchi is best for this dish?
  • Recipe FAQs:
  • More easy dinner recipes:
  • Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce

Why You'll Love This Dish

Anytime someone asks me what is the easiest dish they can make but one the whole family will love, almost always I will say: pasta! It's so versatile, quick, and easy, you just can't go wrong. This Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce is the perfect example of weeknight pasta made with minimal ingredients, a simple cooking process, and delicious results!

So if you are looking for a super easy pasta meal, look no further. This vegetarian meal starts with gnocchi (homemade or store-bought) that's cooked, then fried in butter. Next, you can go with a spaghetti sauce but I highly encourage you to try my simple pasta sauce that comes together as fast as it takes to open a jar!

Ingredients:

Gnocchi, crushed tomatoes, Parmesan, onion, garlic cloves and seasoning in bowls on a white tile board.
  • gnocchi: I used ready-made potato gnocchi; you can use my homemade ricotta gnocchi recipe;
  • garlic and onion: aromatics that create a flavorful base for the sauce;
  • seasoning: dried oregano, Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes;
  • cheese: I used mozzarella and Parmesan cheese;
  • crushed tomatoes: perfect for making a simple sauce for this dish.

How to make gnocchi with tomato sauce?

  • Start by bring a pot of water to a boil. Add gnocchi and cook until they start to float to the surface. Remove from water.
  • Melt butter in a skillet. Add gnocchi, in batches, and brown until golden.
Gnocchi in water in a pot and frying in a pan.

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  • Add butter and oil to skillet and heat up until butter is melted.
  • Add onion and saute for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic and saute until fragrant.
  • Add seasoning and stir in. Cook for 1 minute to activate the dry herbs.
  • Add crushed tomatoes and stir everything together. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Add gnocchi to sauce and toss gently until coated.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Serve garnished with mozzarella, Parmesan and chopped parlsey.
Sauteed onion in a Dutch oven and tomato sauce in the pot.

Helpful Tips!

  • Gnocchi cook really fast so don't walk away from the stove. As soon as they float to the surface, remove them onto a plate.
  • Browning gnocchi may seem like an unnecessary step but trust me, it gives them a more sturdy texture and prevents them from falling apart in the sauce.
  • Brown gnocchi in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
  • Add heavy cream to the sauce for a creamy version.

What to serve with gnocchi and sauce?

This vegetarian dish can be served with bread and a simple green salad. Garlic bread or focaccia and Caesar salad or easy broccoli salad make for a great choice. Don't forget extra cheese, basil or parsley and crushed red pepper flakes if you want some spice!

What gnocchi is best for this dish?

Depending on how much time you have to make this dish, you can use read-made or fresh gnocchi. Follow my recipe for easy ricotta gnocchi if you have 30 minutes to make them, or go for store-bought potato gnocchi (found in the dry pasta aisle). Both kinds work perfectly with simple tomato sauce.

Gnocchi in tomato sauce in a Dutch oven.

Recipe FAQs:

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

To save time on prep, make the tomato sauce ahead of time, up to 3 days in advance. Cook the gnocchi and toss with sauce in pan just before serving.

Can I add meat to this dish?

Absolutely! You can use chicken, ground beef or Italian sausage. Add it to the pan after sauteing onion, and cook until done.

How to store and reheat leftovers?

I recommend storing leftovers in a container with lid, in the fridge, for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken as it chills, so you may need to add a splash of stock or water during reheating.

Can I use pasta sauce instead of crushed tomatoes?

Of course! Use what you prefer or have on hand. If the spaghetti sauce you are using already has herbs, skip the seasoning mentioned in the recipe.

Gnocchi and tomato sauce in a pot with wooden spoon.

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If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!

Gnocchi in tomato sauce in a Dutch oven.

Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce

Author: Anna
This quick and easy Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce recipe calls for 6 simple ingredients and is done in 30 minutes. The potato gnocchi is boiled, then briefly fried in a pan, and finally tossed in simple tomato sauce. A garnish of cheese and parsley is a perfect finishing touch!
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 425 kcal
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Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 lb potato gnocchi
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • ½ medium yellow onion chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 24 oz crushed tomatoes
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Fill a 3-quart pot with water and bring to a boil.
  • Add a dash of salt, then gnocchi to water and cook over medium heat.
    1 lb potato gnocchi
  • As soon as gnocchi floats to the surface, remove them onto a plate.
  • In a skillet, melt one tablespoon of butter.
    2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Add gnocchi in batches and fry until golden and light brown. Remove onto a plate.
  • Add remaining butter and oil to skillet.
    1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Add onion and saute for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often.
    ½ medium yellow onion
  • Add garlic and saute until fragrant and until the onion is translucent.
    3 garlic cloves
  • Add oregano and Italian seasoning and stir with onion and garlic. Saute for 1 minute. This activates dry herbs.
    ¼ teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Add crushed tomatoes to skillet and stir everything together. Simmer for 5 minutes.
    24 oz crushed tomatoes
  • Add pan-fried gnocchi to sauce and toss to coat.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Serve with mozzarella, Parmesan and crushed pepper flakes.
    ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, ½ cup shredded mozzarella, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Notes

  • Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
  • You can use fresh, homemade, or store-bought gnocchi to make this dish.
  • Store leftovers in a container with a lid, in the fridge, for up to 3 days.
  • Feel free to use pasta sauce (like spaghetti sauce) instead of crushed tomatoes. Just be aware that store-bought sauces often have sugar so the flavors can be different. Season accordingly.

Nutrition

Calories: 425kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 1210mg | Potassium: 575mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 792IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 282mg | Iron: 7mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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Comments

    5 from 6 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Jola says

    September 26, 2024 at 6:53 am

    5 stars
    Finally, readable step-by-step instructions for a simple dish. It suits me.)

    Reply
  2. Krzysztof says

    April 15, 2024 at 11:19 am

    5 stars
    A delicious dinner in such a short time. Thank you very much for this recipe

    Reply
  3. Abby says

    February 20, 2023 at 10:51 am

    5 stars
    This turned out amazing! So much flavor and easy directions.

    Reply
    • Anna says

      February 25, 2023 at 11:14 pm

      Awesome! Thank you, Abby!

      Reply
  4. Sharina says

    February 18, 2023 at 1:06 am

    5 stars
    I served this gnocchi with bread, it was a perfect combo! Packed with flavors and we can't get enough of it. And the extra cheese made it even more delicious!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      February 25, 2023 at 11:08 pm

      I am so glad! Thank you for making my recipe, Sharina!

      Reply
  5. Olivia says

    February 17, 2023 at 7:22 pm

    5 stars
    I made this for dinner and my family loved it so much, I think we have a new favorite dish in our house! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      February 25, 2023 at 11:07 pm

      I love that! Thank you so much, Olivia!

      Reply
  6. dee says

    January 14, 2023 at 6:11 pm

    5 stars
    dear anna love your gnocchi with sauce what a great side dish i added green beans for my 2nd with a lovely roast pork loin keep up the.good work . sending a hug

    Reply
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Hi! I'm Anna!

Thank you for stopping by! Here you will find easy and delicious recipes for busy people. My recipes are made with everyday ingredients and all of them are family-approved!

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