Baked Gnocchi with Kale and Sausage Recipe
A comforting and hearty baked gnocchi dish combining tender gnocchi, spicy Italian sausage, and nutritious kale in a flavorful tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and pecorino cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal with a delicious balance of textures and tastes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Sauce and Vegetables
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon whole fennel seeds
- 4 large garlic cloves, chopped small
- 28 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 bunch kale, about 4 cups destemmed and chopped
Protein and Pasta
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage links, precooked (or plant-based sausage alternative)
- 1 1/2 pounds gnocchi, uncooked (store-bought or homemade)
Cheeses
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/4-inch slices (or burrata or ricotta as alternatives)
- 3/4 cup pecorino romano or parmesan, grated
Instructions
- Preheat and sauté aromatics: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a 12-inch oven-proof skillet or braiser over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the chopped garlic, red pepper flakes, and fennel seeds, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Prepare tomato sauce with kale: Add the whole peeled tomatoes to the skillet, crushing them roughly with a spoon. Season with salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Stir in the chopped kale and simmer the mixture on low heat for about 10 minutes until the kale is tender and the sauce has thickened slightly. Remove from heat.
- Add sausage and gnocchi: Stir in the precooked Italian sausage and the uncooked gnocchi into the sauce mixture, ensuring they are evenly combined.
- Top with cheeses: Sprinkle the grated pecorino romano or parmesan evenly over the top, then arrange the mozzarella slices on the surface.
- Bake: Place the skillet uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
Notes
- Adjust the red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- If using unsalted or low-sodium sausage, adjust salt accordingly to maintain balanced seasoning.
- Gnocchi can be store-bought or homemade; if homemade, use your preferred recipe and measure uncooked weight.
- Kale stems can be reserved for soup or stocks to reduce waste.
- Substitute mozzarella with burrata or ricotta for a creamier texture.
