Description
A comforting and creamy tomato gnocchi dish featuring sautéed onions, garlic, and cherry tomatoes simmered in a herb-infused tomato sauce with lighter cream cheese, topped with melted mozzarella and fresh basil. Perfect for a quick, satisfying Italian-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 100g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) water or vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp lighter cream cheese
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Gnocchi and Topping
- 300g fresh gnocchi
- 50g mozzarella, thinly sliced
- Fresh basil, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Sauté onions: Heat the oil in a skillet or pan over low heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and translucent, ensuring the onions develop a sweet base for the sauce.
- Add garlic and tomatoes: Stir in the minced garlic and halved cherry tomatoes, cooking briefly to release their flavors and start softening the tomatoes.
- Add seasonings and tomato paste: Mix in the dried oregano, Italian seasoning, thyme, and tomato paste. Stir thoroughly to combine the herbs and concentrated tomato flavor evenly with the sautéed vegetables.
- Simmer sauce: Pour in the vegetable broth or water, then leave the mixture to simmer gently for 7-8 minutes. Use the back of your spoon to help break down the cherry tomatoes so the sauce thickens and develops a rich texture.
- Incorporate cream cheese and gnocchi: Add the lighter cream cheese to the sauce, stirring until it melts fully and creates a creamy consistency. Then add the fresh gnocchi and stir to coat them thoroughly in the sauce, allowing 2 minutes for them to cook through and absorb the flavors.
- Season and top with mozzarella: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Either layer the gnocchi and sauce in the skillet and top with thinly sliced mozzarella or transfer to an oven-safe dish before adding the cheese.
- Grill cheese: Place under a grill (broiler) for up to 5 minutes until the mozzarella melts and the tops of the gnocchi develop a crispy, golden finish.
- Garnish and serve: Scatter freshly sliced basil over the dish just before serving to add a bright, fresh herbaceous note.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened excessively.
- Use fresh gnocchi for best texture; frozen gnocchi may require additional cooking time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 200g)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
