Description
This vibrant Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella is a quick and delicious 30-minute dinner option. Featuring golden roasted gnocchi, burst cherry tomatoes, marinated mozzarella, and fresh basil, this easy recipe combines bold flavors and simple prep for a perfect weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Gnocchi and Vegetables
- 1 (16-oz) package gnocchi
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes (any color)
- 2-4 cloves garlic (to taste)
Cheese and Garnishes
- 1 (12-oz) tub marinated mozzarella (save the oil)
- Fresh basil, for garnish
- Fresh Parmesan cheese, for garnish
- Balsamic vinegar, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Arrange Gnocchi: Open the package of gnocchi and spread the entire contents onto the lined sheet pan in an even layer.
- Add Cherry Tomatoes: Add 2 pints of cherry tomatoes directly onto the pan with the gnocchi. If the pan looks too crowded, remove some tomatoes to ensure they have space to roast evenly.
- Add Garlic: Smash 2-4 cloves of garlic using the side of a chef’s knife and add them whole to the pan according to your taste preference.
- Prepare Mozzarella and Oil: Open the tub of marinated mozzarella. Transfer the cheese to a bowl. Pour most of the herbed oil from the tub onto the pan with the gnocchi and tomatoes. Use your hands to evenly coat everything with the oil and herbs.
- Season and Arrange: Spread the gnocchi and tomatoes into a single layer and generously season with salt and pepper.
- Roast: Roast in the preheated oven for 17-20 minutes until some tomatoes have popped and the gnocchi is golden brown.
- Cool and Add Cheese: Let the gnocchi cool for a few minutes on the pan before adding the mozzarella so the cheese does not melt excessively. You can leave the mozzarella on the pan or transfer everything to a serving platter and toss gently to combine.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh basil leaves and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. For extra flavor, drizzle a bit of balsamic vinegar over each serving before enjoying.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of garlic to suit your taste.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version without cheese, you can omit the mozzarella and Parmesan, but they add great flavor.
- Using parchment paper makes cleanup very easy and prevents sticking.
- Save the marinated mozzarella oil—it adds wonderful herb flavor to the dish.
- If tomatoes are too crowded on the pan, they will steam rather than roast, so ensure there is enough space.
- Letting the gnocchi cool before adding mozzarella prevents the cheese from melting into a blob.
