Got a package of gnocchi in the cupboard? 5 recipes to save dinner
Saturday 24 October 2026 15:30 - Adèle Peyches
Because on a lazy night, you don’t necessarily feel like boiling three pots or digging out a dozen ingredients. Above all, you want something warm, quick, filling, and that doesn’t look like a last-minute, improvised meal.
Good news: with some gnocchi, a little cheese, tomato sauce, or a few vegetables, you can make something way better than a plain plate of gnocchi. Here are 5 Petitchef recipes that do exactly that.
The zucchini-mozzarella gratin that practically cooks itself
Let’s start with one of our most recent recipes—and clearly one of the most convenient for this kind of evening.
Just put tomato sauce, gnocchi, zucchini, Parmesan, and mozzarella in the same dish, then pop it in the oven. The gnocchi cook right in the sauce, so there’s no need to break out a pot beforehand.
Prep time: a few minutes. Cook time: about 20 minutes. In the meantime, you can do something completely different—which is, after all, the whole point of a lazy dinner.
Just put tomato sauce, gnocchi, zucchini, Parmesan, and mozzarella in the same dish, then pop it in the oven. The gnocchi cook right in the sauce, so there’s no need to break out a pot beforehand.
Prep time: a few minutes. Cook time: about 20 minutes. In the meantime, you can do something completely different—which is, after all, the whole point of a lazy dinner.
Quick recipe for zucchini and mozzarella gnocchi gratin
Quick gnocchi gratin is the kind of easy comfort dish we love: melt-in-your-mouth, hearty and nicely golden on top. The gnocchi bake directly in the oven with tomato sauce, rosemary, zucchini, Parmesan and a generous layer of mozzarella. Ready in...
Pan-Fried Tomato and Mozzarella When You Don't Even Want to Turn on the Oven
Don’t have much patience? Just use one skillet.
Gnocchi alla sorrentina combines tomato sauce, melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella, and basil in a very simple dish that still makes it seem like you put in a lot more effort.
It’s also a great recipe for using up pantry staples: a package of gnocchi, some tomato sauce, and a ball of mozzarella are all you need to whip up dinner.
Gnocchi alla sorrentina combines tomato sauce, melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella, and basil in a very simple dish that still makes it seem like you put in a lot more effort.
It’s also a great recipe for using up pantry staples: a package of gnocchi, some tomato sauce, and a ball of mozzarella are all you need to whip up dinner.
Gnocchi alla sorrentina in a pan: the quick, cheesy recipe everyone loves!
A hearty, flavorful first course and vegetarian dish made with potato gnocchi , tomato sauce, mozzarella, and grated Parmesan . Gnocchi alla Sorrentina originated in Campania, and the traditional recipe also calls for baking the dish before...
The "gratin" version for those who want mostly melted cheese
Same idea, but with that little layer of cheese on top that makes all the difference.
In this baked version, the gnocchi are simmered in tomato sauce with mozzarella before being gently baked until golden. It’s the kind of dish you put right in the middle of the table—everyone helps themselves, and no one asks where the side dish is.
And if there’s a serving left over for lunch the next day, honestly, we’re not going to complain.
In this baked version, the gnocchi are simmered in tomato sauce with mozzarella before being gently baked until golden. It’s the kind of dish you put right in the middle of the table—everyone helps themselves, and no one asks where the side dish is.
And if there’s a serving left over for lunch the next day, honestly, we’re not going to complain.
Quick and comforting tomato and mozzarella gnocchi gratin – baked gnocchi alla sorrentina
If you're looking for an ultra-comforting dish that's super easy to make, you've come to the right place! Today, we're treating ourselves to a tomato and mozzarella gnocchi gratin , also known as gnocchi alla sorrentina . Just imagine:...
Mushrooms and cream: the perfect meal when it's gray outside
Do you have a package of dried mushrooms or a few fresh ones sitting in the fridge? Now’s the time to use them.
With some cream, gnocchi quickly turn into a warm, creamy, and very simple dish. No need to add a dozen toppings: the mushrooms already pack enough flavor to do all the work.
This is typically the kind of dinner you make because you had no idea what else to cook… and end up making again on purpose the following week.
With some cream, gnocchi quickly turn into a warm, creamy, and very simple dish. No need to add a dozen toppings: the mushrooms already pack enough flavor to do all the work.
This is typically the kind of dinner you make because you had no idea what else to cook… and end up making again on purpose the following week.
Gnocchi with mushrooms, a tasty and easy-to-make first course
When temperatures drop , the best thing to do is to go home and prepare a good meal . We have found the perfect recipe for everyone: woodland-style gnocchi with cream and mushrooms . A real treat to put in your fall/winter recipe book . We...
Air Fryer Cherry Tomatoes and Feta: A Dinner You Don't Have to Watch Over
If your air fryer is already sitting on the counter, you might as well put it to work.
Here, we combine gnocchi, cherry tomatoes, and feta. As they cook, the tomatoes become tender, the feta turns into a sauce, and the gnocchi take on a lightly golden texture.
When they’re done, just toss everything together. No need to make a separate sauce, no need to boil the gnocchi, and no need to watch the pan. We’ve had more demanding dinners ;-)
Here, we combine gnocchi, cherry tomatoes, and feta. As they cook, the tomatoes become tender, the feta turns into a sauce, and the gnocchi take on a lightly golden texture.
When they’re done, just toss everything together. No need to make a separate sauce, no need to boil the gnocchi, and no need to watch the pan. We’ve had more demanding dinners ;-)
Baked feta gnocchi in the air fryer, a super-fast dish with cherry tomatoes and feta!
After the tried-and-tested baked feta pasta , now there's an even quicker and more convenient version: baked feta gnocchi in the Air Fryer ! How does it work? Simply place all the ingredients directly in the basket, start cooking, and let the...
The Real Benefit of the Emergency Gnocchi Package
What we love most about store-bought gnocchi is that they’re so easy to adapt to whatever’s left in the kitchen.
Tomato sauce + cheese: you’ve already got a gratin.
Mushrooms + cream: you’ve got a sauce.
Pesto + mozzarella: dinner’s almost ready.
A few vegetables that are starting to go bad: add them to the dish before they end up forgotten at the bottom of the crisper.
So there’s no need to buy all the ingredients for a recipe on purpose. First, see what you already have.
Tomato sauce + cheese: you’ve already got a gratin.
Mushrooms + cream: you’ve got a sauce.
Pesto + mozzarella: dinner’s almost ready.
A few vegetables that are starting to go bad: add them to the dish before they end up forgotten at the bottom of the crisper.
So there’s no need to buy all the ingredients for a recipe on purpose. First, see what you already have.
And most importantly, check the type of gnocchi before cooking them
Here’s a little tip that can help you avoid ending up with a dish that’s way too mushy: not all store-bought gnocchi are prepared exactly the same way.
Some are meant to be poached in water for a few minutes, while others can go straight into a skillet, the oven, or an air fryer. So follow the method outlined in the recipe and also check the package instructions.
The goal is to save time, not to cook them once in water before reheating them for twenty minutes in the oven when it wasn’t necessary at all.
Some are meant to be poached in water for a few minutes, while others can go straight into a skillet, the oven, or an air fryer. So follow the method outlined in the recipe and also check the package instructions.
The goal is to save time, not to cook them once in water before reheating them for twenty minutes in the oven when it wasn’t necessary at all.
Which one should I choose tonight?
If you want to keep the dishes to a minimum, go for the zucchini-mozzarella gratin or feta in the Air Fryer. If you want to eat in fifteen minutes, the tomato-mozzarella skillet is your best bet.
Creamy mushrooms for chilly evenings, pesto-mozzarella when the fridge is almost empty… you’ve got plenty of options before you say there’s “nothing to eat.”
And that’s how that package of gnocchi you bought for no particular reason ends up becoming one of the most useful things in the pantry ;-)
Creamy mushrooms for chilly evenings, pesto-mozzarella when the fridge is almost empty… you’ve got plenty of options before you say there’s “nothing to eat.”
And that’s how that package of gnocchi you bought for no particular reason ends up becoming one of the most useful things in the pantry ;-)
Adèle PeychesEditorial manager who just can't wait for winter to enjoy fondue! Passionate about gastronomy and always on the lookout for new culinary gems, I first studied law before returning to my first love: the taste of good products and the joy of sharing around the table :)
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