Description
This Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi Bake is a comforting, hearty Italian-inspired casserole combining tender gnocchi, flavorful ground chicken, and a rich marinara sauce. Topped with melted mozzarella, parmesan, and fresh burrata, it delivers a deliciously cheesy and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12 ounces plain gnocchi
- 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 cups store-bought marinara sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan
- 1 ball fresh burrata
- Sprigs fresh basil or oregano for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Boil Gnocchi: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the gnocchi according to package directions. Drain the gnocchi, reserving ¼ cup of the cooking water to add moisture to the sauce later.
- Sauté Onions, Garlic, and Ground Chicken: While gnocchi cooks, heat olive oil in a large nonstick cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onions and chopped garlic, cooking and stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent (about 5 minutes). Add ground chicken, stirring occasionally, and cook until fully cooked and the onions turn golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and season with salt and pepper.
- Combine Gnocchi with Sauce and Cheese: To the skillet, add the cooked gnocchi, reserved cooking liquid, marinara sauce, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir everything gently to combine. Then sprinkle in the shredded parmesan cheese and mix until incorporated throughout the sauce and gnocchi.
- Add Mozzarella and Bake: Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top of the skillet mixture. Place the skillet on the top oven rack and bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the dish is hot, bubbly, and the cheese has turned golden brown.
- Finish and Garnish: Remove the skillet from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set. Top the baked gnocchi and chicken mixture with fresh burrata, season with additional salt and pepper as desired, and garnish with fresh basil or oregano sprigs before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute plain gnocchi with spinach gnocchi for a colorful visual and added flavor.
