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This gnocchi with tomato sauce recipe is a simple one pan meal that takes store-bought gnocchi to the next level! Plenty of melty parmesan and mozzarella make this dish extra delicious.
Try my Easy Baked Gnocchi or One Pan Creamy Gnocchi with Sausage next.
Why you’ll love it
If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you will have seen that I make a lot of gnocchi recipes. They’re easy, popular with readers, made in one pan, and crazy delicious! Usually they have a cream-based sauce, but I wanted to do a simple tomato sauce without any cream.
This gnocchi with red sauce can be a main course or a meatless side depending on what you’re feeling. It’s made with pantry ingredients like Italian seasoning, but the taste is phenomenal. One lovely reader describes the silky tomato sauce as “absolutely gorgeous”.
What you’ll need
- Olive oil and butter – for sautéing
- Garlic – it adds irresistible garlicky flavor
- Diced tomatoes – they’re canned at the peak of ripeness
- Tomato paste – for even more tasty concentrated tomato taste
- Chicken broth – or use a dry white wine like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio. Easily make this gnocchi vegetarian if you sub the chicken broth for veggie broth.
- Italian seasoning – this versatile blend of dried herbs is so tasty and comes in a single jar
- Gnocchi – I use the shelf-stable gnocchi that you can find in the dry pasta aisle
- Cheese – we’re using both mozzarella and parmesan to make the sauce deliciously cheesy
- Basil – fresh basil is one of my favorite cooking ingredients ever. I just want to throw it in everything.
Can I use homemade gnocchi?
I’ve had readers test similar recipes with fresh homemade gnocchi, and the one pan technique does not seem to work as well (it’s delicate and can fall apart). The refrigerated gnocchi you can find in some supermarkets should work as well.
How to make gnocchi with tomato sauce
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
In a skillet, cook the garlic in the butter and olive oil until fragrant. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth or wine, and Italian seasoning.
Add the gnocchi. Cook, stirring every so often until it’s cooked through. Stir in the basil and the mozzarella and parmesan until melted. Season with salt & pepper.
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- This is the skillet I use for this gnocchi.
- I like these angled measuring cups for measuring out ingredients.
- Easily mince garlic cloves with a garlic press. No need to peel them first.
Substitutions and variations
- You can definitely add a splash of cream if you want to make the sauce a little richer.
- Have some fresh herbs on hand? Feel free to throw them in along with the basil.
- Want to make it a spicy tomato sauce? Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or some cayenne pepper.
What to serve with tomato gnocchi
- If serving this as a main course, pair it with a salad! I like to make a big Caesar salad with my 10-Minute Caesar Dressing and Easy Homemade Croutons (Garlic & Parmesan).
- It also makes a great side dish. Serve it with my Chicken Milanese, Crockpot Pork Tenderloin, or this Easy Baked Salmon.
Leftovers and storage
- Store leftover gnocchi in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Reheat on the stove slowly over a low heat. Keep in mind it’ll release more starch over time.
- I don’t recommend freezing it since the texture will likely change.
If you made this easy tomato sauce for gnocchi, please leave a star rating and review below! Ask me any questions you have. Tag me on Instagram if you made any of my recipes.
Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or white wine
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pound uncooked potato gnocchi
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Small handful fresh basil torn/sliced
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the oil and butter to a deep skillet over medium heat. Once it's hot, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning to the pan. Give it a stir.
- Stir in the gnocchi. Let it cook, stirring fairly often so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan, until it's cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). The sauce will thicken as the gnocchi releases starch.
- Give the gnocchi a taste, and if it's cooked, stir in the mozzarella, parmesan, and basil until the cheeses melt. Season with salt & pepper as needed and serve immediately.
Notes
- There is no need to pre-cook the gnocchi. It’ll cook in the sauce.
- The sauce is meant to be quite thick, but if you find it gets too dry before the gnocchi is cooked, add in another splash of chicken broth or wine.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.
This recipe was originally published on August 31, 2019. It’s been updated with new photos and better instructions but is the same great recipe!
I’m making this for a potluck next Friday! It sounds delicious!
I live in a condo and we visit before so I’ll make it, pour it into a casserole, top with cheese and a sprinkle of basil and pop it in the oven so I can run back to our condo and take it to the potluck after visiting.
Hope everyone loves it!! 😀 Let me know!
This was very easy and everyone (including picky kids) loved it! Thank you!
You’re very welcome, Kristin! 😀
This is a really simple and quick weeknight dinner. It’s become a go-to for me since I moved out of home.
It’s also an easy recipe to change up as well, if you want to;
You can peel the skin off pork sausages and break their meat up to cook with the garlic. Or recently I added diced bacon during this step and then a bag of spinach at the end.
Easy and versatile recipe!
I’m so happy it’s a favorite!! 😀
Would this recipe for refrigerated store bought gnocchi as well? Thank you!
Yes. I find it’s pretty much the same (at least with brands I’ve tested in various recipes of mine). Enjoy!
I just made this, and I’m so pleased. It was super quick and simple. I didn’t have any broth/wine, or mozzarella so I swapped in a bit of nutritional yeast and mature cheddar instead. Absolutely delicious! And hardly any washing up after. Thank you!
You are very welcome!!
Was delicious!!
Thanks so much, Donna!! 😀
STORE BOUGHT GNOCCI??????? Seriously ????? I was interested in this until I saw that part of the recipe……Shame
You’re right! Heaven forbid! *faints*
😂
No. Actually it was store bought GNOCCHI. And the ingredients to flavor the dish are still the same ones you can use with homemade gnocchi. (So great right??)
Your inconsiderate comment wasnt worth your efforts. But it showed enough about a person and who you are.
*delicious recipe btw…even with the bitter comment
Thank you, Lee! 😀
I love this recipe! So simple and delicious! I made this last week with gnocchi, but tonight I’m substituting with angel hair pasta. I think it will be just as delicious. Thank you!
You are very welcome!
Delicious! I added mushrooms and grated carrot to get a few more veges in and it turned out really well.
That’s great to hear, Ellie!
Just wondering if you would serve this on its own or with something?
Hi! On its own is fine, but it’s great with a side salad.
I just made this, I was starving & it was so quick, easy, simple & delicious. I used baby gnocchi so cooked it separately from fear of overcooking it.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Kristy!! 😀