Servings
Font
Back
4.6 from 63 votes

Baked Caprese gnocchi

This baked Caprese gnocchi recipe is crazy good and so easy. Cooked in a ruby red tomato sauce with milky mozzarella and fresh basil it is simply delicious.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
Servings: 4 -6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Vegan

Ingredients

for the tomato and basil sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil I used a basil-flavoured one
  • 1 red onion finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
  • 6 large ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup tomato passata
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon sugar optional
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • small handful fresh basil leaves roughly torn
For the gnocchi bake
  • 1 kg ready-made gnocchi boiled in salted water until cooked then drained
  • 100 g mozzarella cubed
  • fresh basil leaves

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. To make the sauce, heat the olive oil in a large pan then fry the onion until soft and translucent.
  2. Add the garlic and fry for another 30 seconds before adding the tomatoes.
  3. Allow the tomatoes to cook until they start to break down then add the passata, bay leaves, sugar, salt and pepper.
  4. Turn the heat down and allow to gently simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Add a splash of water if you see the sauce cooking down too much.
  5. When the sauce is cooked, adjust the seasoning and add the fresh basil.
  6. Pre-heat the oven (with grill setting) to 220°c.
  7. Combine the cooked gnocchi with the sauce then add cubes of mozzarella.
  8. Bake in the pre-heated oven for 10-15 minutes until the cheese has melted.
  9. Remove and top with fresh basil before serving.