Gnocchi Lasagna Bake

When I run out of ideas for dinner, a baked pasta dish is usually my go-to solution. I typically already have the ingredients on hand, and many baked pasta recipes are easy to put together and ready to serve in a relatively short amount of time.

One classic baked noodle dish I like is homemade lasagna, which I love to eat, but I don’t always have the time to mess around with all the prep it requires. That’s where this gnocchi lasagna bake comes in: It replicates the flavors of a meaty lasagna without all the muss and fuss (read: layering tomato sauce, noodles and cheese again and again). The whole family will love this shortcut lasagna gnocchi recipe.

Ingredients for Gnocchi Lasagna Bake

• Olive oil: Olive oil is used to brown the ground sausage and saute the shallot and garlic.
• Ground Italian pork sausage: This flavorful sausage is typically seasoned with black pepper, fennel seed and a variety of Italian seasonings. If you have only unseasoned ground pork, you can easily season it by adding 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon fennel seed and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
• Shallot: This type of onion has a mild flavor. A finely diced medium shallot yields about 1 cup. If you can’t find a shallot at the store, you can substitute finely diced yellow or white onion in its place.
• Garlic: Three cloves of pungent minced garlic flavor the tomato sauce.
• Crushed tomatoes: You will need a 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes for this recipe.
• Seasonings: The tomato sauce is flavored with Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and crushed red pepper flakes.
• Gnocchi: The star of this recipe is pillowy potato gnocchi. You will need one 16-ounce package of shelf-stable gnocchi to make this gnocchi lasagna bake.
• Ricotta cheese: Dollops of this versatile cheese add a creamy flavor to the lasagna bake. You can use whole-milk or part-skim ricotta for this recipe. Use the leftover ricotta cheese to make other ricotta cheese recipes.
• Shredded mozzarella: Grate the cheese yourself for the best flavor and melted consistency. But store-bought shredded mozzarella cheese will definitely work too!
• Parmesan: Use a Microplane grater to quickly and easily finely grate Parmesan cheese.
• Fresh basil: Top the gnocchi lasagna bake with thinly sliced basil before serving.

Directions

Step 1: Brown the pork

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground Italian pork sausage and cook until no longer pink, six to eight minutes. Use a wooden spoon to break the ground pork into crumbles as it cooks.

Step 2: Make the sauce

Reduce the heat to medium, and add the diced shallot. Saute until tender, one to two minutes. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, 30 to 60 seconds. Stir in the crushed tomatoes. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.

Step 3: Add the gnocchi and top with cheese

Remove the skillet from the heat and stir the gnocchi into the sauce.

Add dollops of ricotta cheese over the top of the gnocchi.

Editor’s Tip: Use a tablespoon measure to scoop dollops of ricotta from the tub onto the top of the gnocchi bake.

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top, then sprinkle the finely grated Parmesan.

Step 4: Bake

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown. Allow to cool 10 minutes. Top with thinly sliced fresh basil before serving.

Gnocchi Lasagna Bake Variations

• Make your gnocchi lasagna vegetarian: This gnocchi lasagna bake is also quite delicious without the meat, but you could also use your favorite plant-based meat substitute in place of the ground pork. Amp up the veggies by adding sauteed mushrooms, bell peppers or spinach to the sauce.
• Add some spice: For a spicier take, use ground hot Italian sausage. Alternatively, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes, or add a sprinkle or two of cayenne pepper or paprika—or both.
• Use store-bought pasta sauce: For an even easier take on this recipe, use your favorite store-bought pasta sauce in place of the can of crushed tomatoes and seasonings.

How to Store Gnocchi Lasagna Bake

Leftover gnocchi lasagna bake should be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to four days. For easy reheating, store as individual portions.

How do you reheat gnocchi lasagna?

The easiest way to reheat the gnocchi lasagna bake is in the microwave. Heat for one to two minutes or until warmed through. Otherwise, you can always warm up leftovers slowly on the stovetop.

Gnocchi Lasagna Bake Tips

Can you make this lasagna with another type of pasta?

Absolutely! This lasagna bake could also be made with 16 ounces of another cooked pasta shape, such as ziti, rigatoni or penne.

What else can you serve with gnocchi lasagna?

Serve this hearty gnocchi lasagna bake alongside a big green salad and garlic toast warm from the oven. Other tasty side dish options include Parmesan-roasted broccoli, fresh green beans and garlic, or zucchini Parmesan.