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Cheesy Gnocchi and Meatballs
5 from 18 votes

Cheesy Gnocchi and Meatballs

Cheesy Gnocchi and Meatballs features homemade meatballs combining ground beef and pork with herbs, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan, pan-browned then simmered in a seasoned tomato sauce. The sauce includes tomato paste, diced tomatoes, garlic, and spices, simmered before adding gnocchi and mozzarella cheese to create a hearty, cheesy meal with tender gnocchi and flavorful meatballs.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
50 mins
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 706 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Homemade Meatballs
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground pork sausage
  • ½ cup white onion diced small, or yellow onion
  • 3 to 4 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 egg lightly whisked, large
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
  • 1 teaspoon basil dried
  • 1 teaspoon oregano dried
  • 1 teaspoon parsley dried
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper or to taste, freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or as needed
Tomato Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ white onion diced small, medium or yellow onion
  • 3 to 4 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 28 ounces tomato diced or crushed
  • 1 tablespoon basil fresh
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper ground
  • ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 pound gnocchi refrigerated, dry, or homemade
Assembly
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded

Instructions

Meatballs
    Cup of Yum
  1. To a large bowl, add all the ingredients (except the oil), and using a wooden spoon or a gloved hand, mix together all ingredients. Don't overmix.
  2. Using a large cookie scoop or ice cream scoop, form the meatballs. If desired, add a bit of oil to your hands and then roll the meatballs into nice round balls, although straight off the cookie or ice cream scoop is fine too.* (See Notes)
  3. To a large skillet, add the oil, meatballs, and cook over medium-high heat until browned on all sides, flipping as necessary to ensure even cooking.** (See Notes) Tip - Do not overcrowd the pan. If necessary, cook the meatballs in batches.
  4. Set cooked meatballs aside on a plate.
Tomato Sauce
  1. To a large skillet or saucepan, add the oil, onion, garlic, and saute over medium heat for 3 minutes, stir nearly constantly.
  2. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Add all remaining ingredients (except gnocchi) and simmer for 15 minutes.
  4. Add the browned meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 10 minutes to ensure they are fully cooked through.
  5. Add the gnocchi (refrigerated, dry, or homemade) and cook for 5 minutes or until tender and done.
Assembly
  1. Preheat your broiler to high (or 400F) and place an oven rack on the top or second to the top rung.
  2. To a spayed or greased oven-safe casserole or baking dish, transfer the meatballs, sauce, and gnocchi into it.
  3. Evenly top with shredded cheese.
  4. Broil until the cheese is lightly golden browned and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Tip - As always when broiling anything, keep a very close eye on it, don't leave the kitchen, and set an alarm. Food can go from underdone to burnt when under a broiler in a matter of one minute and the last thing you want to do now is burn it!
  5. Serve immediately with French bread, garlic bread, or a salad.

Notes

  • Meatballs need not be perfectly round, as they will soften and flatten slightly during cooking under sauce and cheese.
  • Browning meatballs in batches prevents overcrowding and ensures even cooking and browning.
  • Partially cooked meatballs finish cooking in the tomato sauce, ensuring tenderness and flavor.
  • Store leftovers airtight in the refrigerator for up to five days or freeze for up to four months for future meals.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 706kcal (35%) Carbohydrates 43g (14%) Protein 35g (70%) Fat 44g (68%) Saturated Fat 16g (80%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g (24%) Monounsaturated Fat 20g (100%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 150mg (50%) Sodium 1446mg (60%) Potassium 771mg (16%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 742IU (15%) Vitamin C 12mg (13%) Calcium 352mg (35%) Iron 7mg (39%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 706

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 706kcal 35%
Carbohydrates 43g 14%
Protein 35g 70%
Fat 44g 68%
Saturated Fat 16g 80%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 20g 100%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 150mg 50%
Sodium 1446mg 60%
Potassium 771mg 16%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 742IU 15%
Vitamin C 12mg 13%
Calcium 352mg 35%
Iron 7mg 39%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.