Three Cheese Baked Gnocchi with Spinach became one of my favorite easy dinners after I needed to use a package of gnocchi and some spinach sitting in the refrigerator. Instead of simply boiling the gnocchi and adding sauce, I decided to turn everything into a cheesy baked dinner. So, I added a creamy sauce, stirred in the spinach, and finished everything with three different cheeses before putting it in the oven. Once the cheese melted and the top started turning golden, I knew this was a recipe I would make again.
This Three Cheese Baked Gnocchi with Spinach combines soft potato gnocchi with a creamy garlic sauce, fresh spinach, mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta. Better yet, the recipe doesn’t require much preparation, so it’s a great option when you want a filling weeknight dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. If you enjoy creamy pasta dinners like my Chicken Alfredo Bake or Red Lobster Cajun Chicken Alfredo, this baked gnocchi is another easy recipe to add to your dinner rotation.
Why You Will Love This Three Cheese Baked Gnocchi
What I love most about this recipe is how creamy and cheesy it turns out. While the ricotta adds creaminess, the mozzarella melts beautifully throughout the dish, and the Parmesan adds plenty of savory flavor. As a result, you get a little of all three cheeses in almost every bite.
Another reason I make this recipe is how quickly everything comes together. Since gnocchi cooks much faster than many types of pasta, you don’t need to spend much time preparing dinner. Plus, once everything goes into the baking dish, the oven takes care of the rest.
In addition, the spinach adds freshness without requiring another side dish. It cooks directly in the sauce, so you can easily add some greens to dinner without creating more work.
Finally, you can easily adjust this recipe depending on what you have in the refrigerator. For example, you can add mushrooms, cooked chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, or even a little red pepper for extra heat.
What You Will Need
You’ll need a large skillet to prepare the creamy spinach sauce before combining it with the gnocchi. In addition, a medium baking dish gives everything enough room to bake evenly while allowing the cheese on top to turn lightly golden.
You’ll also need a large spoon or spatula for mixing everything together. Finally, if you’re grating the Parmesan yourself, a cheese grater will make preparation much easier.
Ingredients
For the Gnocchi
- 1 pound potato gnocchi
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, optional
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
The Three Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
For Garnish
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Crushed red pepper flakes, optional
How to Make Three Cheese Baked Gnocchi with Spinach
First, preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a medium baking dish.
Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook according to the package directions. Once the gnocchi float to the surface, drain them and set them aside.
Next, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently so it doesn’t burn.
After that, add the fresh spinach. Continue stirring for about 2 minutes until the spinach wilts and reduces in volume.
Then, pour in the heavy cream and add the Italian seasoning, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together and let the sauce gently simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
Once the sauce begins to thicken slightly, reduce the heat. Add the ricotta and half of the Parmesan, then stir until the cheeses blend into the sauce.
Next, add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet and gently stir until the sauce coats each piece.
Transfer the gnocchi mixture to the prepared baking dish. Afterward, sprinkle the mozzarella and remaining Parmesan evenly over the top.
Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes. During this time, the sauce will continue to thicken while the cheese melts.
For an extra golden top, switch the oven to broil for the final 1 to 2 minutes. However, keep a close eye on it because the cheese can brown quickly.
Finally, remove the baked gnocchi from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Then, garnish with fresh parsley or basil, extra Parmesan, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
Tips for the Best Baked Gnocchi
For starters, don’t overcook the gnocchi before baking. Since it continues cooking in the oven, boiling it just until it floats helps keep the texture soft without becoming mushy.
Additionally, freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly into the sauce than pre-shredded varieties. Therefore, it’s worth grating it yourself if you have a few extra minutes.
Meanwhile, add the spinach gradually if your skillet isn’t large enough to hold it all at once. As each handful wilts, you’ll have more room for the rest.
Finally, let the baked gnocchi rest for a few minutes before serving. As it sits, the creamy cheese sauce thickens slightly and coats the gnocchi even better.
Easy Variations
If you want to make the dish more filling, add some cooked chicken before transferring everything to the baking dish. For instance, leftover rotisserie chicken works particularly well and saves preparation time. If you have more chicken to use afterward, my Rotisserie Chicken Quesadillas and Curry Chicken Salad Wrap are also easy options.
Alternatively, sautéed mushrooms make a great meat-free addition. You can also add chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a stronger tomato flavor or crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
For even more greens, add chopped kale along with the spinach. However, because kale takes longer to soften, add it to the skillet a few minutes before the spinach.
What to Serve With Three Cheese Baked Gnocchi with Spinach
Because this baked gnocchi is creamy and filling, I like to pair it with something lighter on the side. For example, Armenian Salad adds plenty of fresh vegetables, while Mixed Cucumber Salad provides a crisp contrast to the cheesy sauce.
Alternatively, serve it with Blistered Shishito Peppers if you want a simple warm vegetable. Garlic bread also works particularly well because you can use it to scoop up any creamy cheese sauce left on the plate.
How to Store and Reheat
First, allow any leftover gnocchi to cool completely. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3 days.
When you’re ready to reheat it, add a small splash of milk or cream before warming it. Since the gnocchi will absorb some of the sauce while it sits in the refrigerator, the additional liquid helps bring back the creamy consistency.
For individual portions, microwave the gnocchi in short intervals and stir between each one. Alternatively, cover a larger portion and warm it in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
Three Cheese Baked Gnocchi
Description
This Three Cheese Baked Gnocchi with Spinach combines soft potato gnocchi with a creamy garlic sauce, fresh spinach, mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta. Better yet, the recipe doesn't require much preparation, so it's a great option when you want a filling weeknight dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Cheese mixture
Garnish
Instructions
-
First, preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a medium baking dish.
-
Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook according to the package directions. Once the gnocchi float to the surface, drain them and set them aside.
-
Next, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently so it doesn't burn.
-
After that, add the fresh spinach. Continue stirring for about 2 minutes until the spinach wilts and reduces in volume.
-
Then, pour in the heavy cream and add the Italian seasoning, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together and let the sauce gently simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
-
Once the sauce begins to thicken slightly, reduce the heat. Add the ricotta and half of the Parmesan, then stir until the cheeses blend into the sauce.
-
Next, add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet and gently stir until the sauce coats each piece.
-
Transfer the gnocchi mixture to the prepared baking dish. Afterward, sprinkle the mozzarella and remaining Parmesan evenly over the top.
-
Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes. During this time, the sauce will continue to thicken while the cheese melts.
-
For an extra golden top, switch the oven to broil for the final 1 to 2 minutes. However, keep a close eye on it because the cheese can brown quickly.
-
Finally, remove the baked gnocchi from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Then, garnish with fresh parsley or basil, extra Parmesan, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
