If you’re looking for a simple dinner idea, you’re in luck! This easy gnocchi recipe is inspired by our recent trip to Sorrento and can be made in under twenty minutes! Delicious gnocchi tossed in a fresh tomato sauce, topped with mozzarella and basil, and then served hot. One of the best gnocchi recipes you’ll ever try!
My husband and I went on a trip to Europe earlier this year. As we were planning, we knew one thing – we wanted to go to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast in Italy.
I knew nothing about Sorrento before going other than that it was a great place to stay if you wanted to visit Amalfi and Pompeii, both highlights on our trip. After visiting for just two days, I fell in love with Sorrento and its bright colors, citrus scent, and delicious pasta. It’s one of those places that I wish I’d had more time to visit and explore.
Gnocchi Sorrentina
I’m a huge fan of gnocchi every since my husband made it for me when we were first dating, so when I saw gnocchi with tomato sauce and mozzarella on the menu at Inn Buffalito in Sorrento, I knew I had to try it. Most gnocchi I’ve tried in the past has been with some sort of cream sauce, pesto, or even something like pumpkin. This gnocchi was made with simple, fresh, and local ingredients including mozzarella made by the restaurant.
The gnocchi Sorrentina was delicious. Homemade gnocchi, a delicious tomato sauce, fresh basil, and of course, mozzarella.
Easy Gnocchi Recipe
One of the things I love most about traveling is eating different food around the world. And then coming home and remaking that food at home, in my own way. This easy gnocchi recipe is a very simplified version of the gnocchi I had in Sorrento, simplified and still delicious.
The beauty of this recipe is that you can literally have it on the table in under 20 minutes and that’s even if you get distracted, like I normally do when I’m cooking.
Instead of making gnocchi from scratch, I used pre-made gnocchi that just needs to boil. And instead of using a fresh tomato sauce that needs to simmer forever, I used Classico® Roasted Garlic Pasta Sauce. Each Classico® pasta sauce is inspired by a particular region and the fresh ingredients used in that region, and the Roasted Garlic is inspired by Sorrento – making it perfect in this recipe or any of these other delicious Italian recipes on Food Network.
Simply boil your gnocchi and while you’re cooking the gnocchi, heat up the sauce. Add the cooked gnocchi directly to the sauce and toss to let the flavors mingle. Top with fresh basil leaves and the best fresh mozzarella you can find, bonus points if you use buffalo mozzarella like the one I had in Sorrento.
Let the mozzarella melt slightly then serve hot and enjoy as you pretend that you’re eating on the seaside in sunny Sorrento, enjoying a nice breeze and the smell of citrus all around.
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Easy Gnocchi Sorrentina
Ingredients
- 1 24 oz jar Classico Roasted Garlic Pasta Sauce
- 4 cups potato gnocchi
- 1/4 cup fresh basil torn
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cut into rounds
Instructions
- Cook gnocchi according to package instructions.
- While gnocchi is cooking, heat sauce in a large sauce pan over medium-high heat. Heat for 3-5 minutes.
- Remove gnocchi from boiling water using a slotted spoon and place directly into pasta sauce. Stir to combine gnocchi into sauce.
- Tear pieces of basil and stir into sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Top sauce with mozzarella rounds and allow sauce to cook until mozzarella is soft and almost melted.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately, allowing the mozzarella to continue melting on top of the hot pasta.
Nutrition
Don’t forget to pin this easy gnocchi recipe for later!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Classico. The opinions and text are all mine.
Gemille Sleweon says
10/09/2017 at 9:02 pmWill you believe I’ve never actually had gnocchi before? This looks absolutely delicious, so I’m going to have to make this soon. Thanks for sharing!
Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen says
10/10/2017 at 11:59 amThis gnocchi looks wonderfully cheesy and sounds super easy to make. I loved looking through all your colorful photos, too. Everything is gorgeous!
Melissa Dixon says
10/10/2017 at 12:26 pmMY daughter loves gnocchi, it is like one of her favorites but we never have it! So weird! I want to make it more often but it is hard to find a good recipe that includes it! This sounds like the answer to my prayers, I will have to try this one out soon! Thanks for sharing!
Karlyn Cruz says
10/10/2017 at 4:50 pmWe love italian food but honestly have never made gnocchi before. This reminds me now that I need to give it a try. The pics makes it look so much easier and it looks delicious!
Tami says
10/10/2017 at 7:55 pmThe recipe looks easy enough, even for me. I can’t remember if I’ve used the Classico brand before. I know I have not eaten potato gnocchi before. I am looking forward to it.
Lane says
09/13/2018 at 2:59 pmGnocchi is one of my absolute favorites and I LOVE how easy this is!
Jenn says
09/13/2018 at 3:01 pmLoving the inspiration for this dish! Gnocchi is total comfort food so good!