One Pan Meatballs Gnocchi Bake

08/01/2023

5 Minutes + 25 minutes baking

super easy

4

These One Pan Meatballs Gnocchi Bake is a very simple recipe for everyone who has no time to cook during the workweek.

Each bite of this dish is a surprise, thanks to the soft gnocchi, seasoned turkey meatballs, and sweet cherry tomatoes. A drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar adds a depth of flavor that’s hard to resist.

Cream cheese is the secret ingredient here. It melts into a creamy sauce that ties everything together. Don’t forget the fresh basil. It’s more than a garnish; it’s a fresh, aromatic element that balances the hearty meatballs and gnocchi.

Why is this recipe a winner? It’s simple. All the cooking happens in one pan, so cleanup is a breeze. Plus, it’s versatile enough for a quick weeknight dinner or a relaxed weekend feast. One Pan Meatballs Gnocchi Bake brings the flavor and charm of Italy to your table, with ease and simplicity. And if you love gnocchi recipes as much as I do, try also my Creamy Pesto Chicken Gnocchi, One Pan Lemon Chicken Gnocchi or Creamy Burst Tomato Gnocchi.

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Ingredients:

Adjust Servings

	500 grams potato gnocchi
	300 grams cherry tomatoes
	3 garlic cloves
	handful of fresh basil, chopped
	2 tablespoons olive oil
	1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
	3 tablespoons cream cheese
	1 teaspoon sugar
	1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
	1 teaspoon salt

For the Meatballs

	450 grams lean ground turkey
	1 medium egg
	1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
	80 grams panko breadcrumbs
	1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
	1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
	1 teaspoon garlic powder
	1 teaspoon salt
	1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Nutritional Information

621 Calories

26 g Fat

28 g Protein

64 g Carbs

6 g Sugars

Directions

1.

Preheat the Oven

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Start by combining the ground turkey, egg, dried oregano, panko breadcrumbs, chopped fresh basil, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly until everything is well combined. Then, shape the mixture into meatballs of about one-inch diameter. Set aside.

In a large baking dish, combine the gnocchi, cherry tomatoes, garlic, chopped fresh basil, salt, and black pepper. Drizzle the mixture with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Then nestle the meatballs into the gnocchi and tomatoes mixture in the baking dish. Add cream cheese and place the dish in a preheated oven.

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2.

Finish and Serve

Bake for 25 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked and the tomatoes are bursting. Remove the dish from the oven, gently stir the contents of the dish to distribute the melted cream cheese evenly, forming a light, creamy sauce. Serve hot, garnishing with extra fresh basil if desired. Enjoy!

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Notes

When forming your meatballs, try to keep them uniform in size. This ensures that they cook evenly.

A meat thermometer is the best way to ensure your meatballs are fully cooked. The internal temperature should reach at least 74°C.

If using fresh gnocchi, you can place them straight into the baking dish without boiling them first. If your gnocchi is frozen, thaw them before adding to the pan.

For a vegan version, swap out the turkey for a plant-based ground meat substitute, and use a vegan cream cheese.

Feel free to add more veggies to the mix. Bell peppers, zucchinis, or olives could add more flavors.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.