The Ultimate Pepperoni Pizza Gnocchi Casserole

Name: The Ultimate Pepperoni Pizza Gnocchi Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes; 8 Fresh basil leaves (torn); 1/4 cup Yellow onion (finely chopped); 1/8 cup Water; 4 cloves Garlic (finely minced); 2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil; 1 tsp Kosher salt (plus more to taste); dried oregano (a tiny pinch); 32 ounces Potato gnocchi (store bought); 8 ounces Shredded Mozzarella Cheese; 6 ounces Sliced pepperoni; 4 ounces Shredded Parmesan cheese

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Take your love for pepperoni pizza to the next level with this delicious and easy gnocchi casserole recipe. Perfect for weeknight dinners or potluck parties, this dish is sure to become a new family favorite.

Pepperoni pizza gnocchi in baking dish on the counter.

If you have never thought of making a pizza flavored baked gnocchi in the oven, you are in for a real treat! This delicious and simple baked gnocchi recipe is always a favorite in our house (and we make lots of it.) Let's just say this is our way of jazzing up regular baked gnocchi.

This is more of an Italian American recipe, much like my baked penne alla vodka or my crispy chicken Parmesan but that does not make it any less delicious 🙂

Let me show you how easy this is to make!

Ingredients

Potato gnocchi: I like using shelf-stable gnocchi. If I have time, I will make my homemade ricotta gnocchi.
Marinara: This is canned crushed Italian tomatoes, onion, garlic, fresh basil and dried oregano.
Pepperoni slices: Try to find a nice quality brand.
Cheese: A mix of shredded mozzarella and Parmesan. I usually like to use fresh mozzarella but for the authentic pizza experience, shredded works best here.

How To Make Pepperoni Pizza Gnocchi Casserole

Make the marinara: I love making my simple marinara for this recipe.
Mix it all together: Add the gnocchi and sauce together in a large oven-safe baking dish. I like to use a 9x11 pan.

Recipe Tip: Do not prebake the gnocchi here since it will cook in the sauce in the oven.

Add the toppings: Add the two cheeses and pepperoni to the top.
Bake: Bake the gnocchi in a preheated 375-degree for 20-30 minutes until golden brown on top and pillowy soft.

Variations And Pizza Toppings Ideas

You can make this your way by switching things up. Here are some ideas:

Add more meat: If you have meat lovers in your house add some more. Chicken, Italian sausage, bacon, and even ground beef.
Add veggies: Make this dish with veggies for a complete balanced meal. Some of our favorites are peppers, onions, mushrooms, fresh basil and olives.
Add more cheese: If you love cheese, go ahead and mix in some ricotta with the sauce before stirring in the gnocchi.

Recipe Faqs

Do I need to boil the gnocchi before baking it?

No. As long as the gnocchi is in a liquid when baking, you do not need to boil it first.

Will the gnocchi be overcooked by baking it in the oven?

The gnocchi will have the perfect amount of time to cook in the oven with the sauce without overcooking it.

Storing And Leftovers

If you have leftovers, all it to cool completely in the baking dish then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days. To reheat, pull the baking dish out of the fridge and place on the counter to come to room temperature. Cover with aluminum foil and bale in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes.

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