Gnocchi Lasagna Bake – Tender, pillowy gnocchi baked with seasoned ground beef, melted cheeses, and rich tomato sauce for an easy, comforting weeknight dinner.
Even in the height of summer, it’s nice to add a few comforting meals to the rotation as routines change and the school year begins. This Gnocchi Lasagna Bake delivers all the familiar flavors of lasagna without the fuss of layering pasta sheets. The gnocchi is browned with seasoned ground beef, combined with tomato sauce, then layered in a baking dish with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. A short bake melts the cheeses and melds the flavors for a satisfying dinner that’s simple to prepare and family-friendly.
To make this Gnocchi Lasagna Bake, you will need:
- olive oil
- salt & pepper
- Italian seasoning
- ground beef (or substitute ground turkey, chicken, or sausage)
- potato gnocchi
- marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ricotta cheese
- mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
Recipe Tips and Suggestions:
- Prepare ahead: cook the meat in advance so assembly is quick on a busy evening.
- Meat options: swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage, or omit the meat for a vegetarian version.
- Add vegetables: spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers work well stirred into the sauce.
- No boiling required: the gnocchi browns in the skillet and finishes cooking in the oven, saving a step and reducing cleanup.
- Prefer traditional pasta? This same method works with short pasta shapes to create a skillet-style lasagna bake.
Here’s a straightforward version of the recipe packed with flavor and easy to follow.
Gnocchi Lasagna Bake
10 minutes
25 minutes
40 minutes
Tender potato gnocchi combined with seasoned ground beef, marinara, and layers of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan—baked until bubbly and golden for a comforting, no-fuss meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 16 ounces potato gnocchi
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups fresh grated mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned, about 7 minutes.
- Add the gnocchi to the skillet and stir to combine with the beef. Let the gnocchi brown slightly, about 5 minutes. Stir in 3 cups of marinara sauce and remove the pan from the heat. Add more sauce if you prefer a saucier bake.
- Spoon about half of the gnocchi and beef mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella over the layer. Add the remaining gnocchi mixture, then top with the Parmesan, remaining mozzarella, and dollops of ricotta spread evenly across the top.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 5–10 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is bubbling. Let rest a few minutes, then serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 596
Total Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 132mg
Sodium: 1555mg
Carbohydrates: 47g
Fiber: 5g
Sugar: 10g
Protein: 41g
