Yield: 4 to 6 people
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Description:
An effortless, comforting dish that combines the heartiness of ground beef or turkey with the pillowy softness of gnocchi, all enveloped in a flavorful marinara sauce with fresh spinach and topped with melty cheese.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces of your favorite marinara sauce
- 8 ounces fresh spinach
- 2 pounds uncooked gnocchi
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- Fresh basil, for topping
Instructions:
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large (10 or 12 inch) oven-safe skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey. Season it with a generous pinch of salt, pepper, dried basil, and oregano. If using beef, there’s typically no need for additional fat, but for leaner meats, drizzle some olive oil if needed. Break the meat apart until it forms small crumbles and is fully browned. Mix in the minced garlic.
- Lower the heat and stir in the marinara sauce. Introduce the spinach and continue stirring. Although the spinach might look plentiful at first, it will wilt down considerably.
- Fold in the uncooked gnocchi, ensuring it’s well-distributed within the sauce. Both shelf-stable and frozen variants of gnocchi are suitable.
- Layer the surface with slices of mozzarella cheese followed by a sprinkle of parmesan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. The dish should turn golden, bubbly, and oozy by the end. For a more caramelized top, switch the oven to broil and let it sit for another 1-2 minutes.
- Once out of the oven, sprinkle with additional parmesan and fresh basil. Serve hot and enjoy!
Serving Suggestion:
Pair this heartwarming dish with a refreshing fall salad for a balanced meal.
Notes:
This dish is perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something quick yet satisfying. The combination of rich marinara, tender gnocchi, and creamy cheese makes it a hit among both kids and adults.
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