This easy gnocchi with marinara sauce is a quick and incredibly delicious comfort food meal. Ready in 10 minutes from start to finish!
Super simple gnocchi recipe
Some weeknights (or every weeknight?) you just need to get dinner on the table fast. This gnocchi with homemade marinara offers maximum flavors with the minimum of fuss. No chopping and sautéing onions and garlic, no blending ingredients. It’s probably the easiest homemade marinara sauce ever.
Shelf-stable vacuum-packed Gnocchi and crushed tomato cans are a go-to staple to keep in the pantry. They make meal planning a breeze.
Italian entrée at home
It's easy to turn store-bought gnocchi into a restaurant-worthy meal! There's nothing quite like soft, pillowy gnocchi drenched in a tasty marinara sauce. The tomato-based sauce is creamy, and the fresh basil takes the flavor to the next level. Total comfort food. It’s so easy to make an Italian restaurant entrée at home.
What kind of gnocchi to use in this recipe?
I use shelf-stable (dry) potato gnocchi that come in vacuum-sealed bags. You can find them in the dried-pasta aisle in most grocery stores.
You can also use refrigerated gnocchi from the produce aisle or frozen ones. Just make sure it’s enough for 2 servings.
Of course, if you have time to make potato gnocchi from scratch, please go ahead. They are delicious. But if it’s a weeknight, you are tired, and you want some gnocchi without devoting a lot of time to making gnocchi yourself, the store-bought stuff is really more than ok.
More quick pasta recipes
If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment or/and give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear how the recipe turns out in your kitchen.
Easy Marinara Gnocchi – ready in 10 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 bag (17.5 oz / 500 g) potato gnocchi (see notes)
- ¼ cup (20 g) freshly grated parmesan (see notes for vegan)
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Leaves from 3 large basil sprigs, plus more for garnish
- Parmesan shaves for garnish
Instructions
- Add crushed tomatoes and olive oil to a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
- Add parmesan, salt, and black pepper to the slowly simmering tomato sauce. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, bring a pot of generously salted water to a boil (an electric water kettle comes in handy). Add potato gnocchi and cook until they are floating, about 3 minutes (see package instructions).
- While gnocchi are cooking, add fresh basil, large leaves torn, to the sauce. Cook a few more minutes if you want to further reduce the sauce. Taste and season with salt as needed.
- Drain gnocchi, and add them to the marinara. Stir until combined.
- Top with fresh basil leaves and parmesan shaves, and enjoy.
Joanna says
Hey there,
I tried the recipe today for lunch. We loved it. Even my moody teenage daughter lol. THE BEST MARINARA GNOCCHI EVER. Thanks so much. It's so quick and easy. Btw, I'll try the marinara sauce for pizza the next time I'm making one.
-Joanna
Carbgirl says
Haha, what a compliment! The sauce is great for pizza too 🙂
Starlight says
Wonderful easy gnocchi recipe. Hubby and I loved it ❤️ Definitely make this again.
Carbgirl says
So happy that the two of you enjoyed the marinara gnocchi. Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try!
Sue L. says
I added a chile for some heat and arrabiata-style. Turned out tasty.
Carbgirl says
Happy to hear that, Sue! A chile is a nice addition!!
Gabriel says
Fantastic recipe, many thanks!
Carbgirl says
Thank you Gabriel. Happy that you like it!
carlita says
Super quick weeknight dish. I doubled the recipe and used a can of diced tomatoes and a can of tomato sauce. Worked well.
Carbgirl says
A double batch is never wrong 🙂 Happy to hear that it turned out well.
BB says
Love the easy marinara sauce! Made it with penne - not gnocchi. Heavily topped it with freshly grated parmesan and served it with a green side salad. Everyone loved it.
Carbgirl says
I love the sauce with penne and spaghetti too! So happy to hear that everyone enjoyed it!
Anne says
Super quick and easy. Bet it also tastes great with fire roasted tomatoes. Anne
Carbgirl says
Thank you, Anne! I have never tried it with fire roasted tomatoes but I bet it's delicious!
Brigitte says
This is a very comforting meal. Exactly what I need right now. Merci!
Carbgirl says
Comforting indeed, like a big hug. Thanks for the comment, Brigitte!
Buddy_Lover says
New weekday favorite. I usually omit the Parmesan for a vegan version and also made potato gnocchi from scratch one time. Many thx!
Carbgirl says
The homemade potato gnocchi version is top-notch!
Sophia says
My niece is vegetarian and stopped by for dinner the other night on short notice. So I searched for a quick recipe and rushed to the supermarket to buy gnocchi - everything else I had on hand. She was pleasantly surprised that I cooked such a lovely dinner (she phrased it politely). Thanks for the quick pasta idea. Will make it again, even though my fam is big on meat.
Sophia says
Oh, forgot the rating. Would give 6 stars if I could.
Carbgirl says
Hi Sophia, Thanks so much for the rating 🙂 and so happy to hear that your niece enjoyed it.
Erika Pe. says
Made this dish in Italy in our simple vacation home since it is easy to make and the facilities here are limited. Worked like a charm and my family liked it. Of course, I made this dish with canned tomatoes from Italy 🙂
Carbgirl says
This dish is perfect for AirBnBs and vacation homes. Italian canned tomatoes are my favorite 😀
Martine says
Merci beaucoup ! Très délicieux. Family loves it.
Carbgirl says
De rien (my school-French is still good enough to say that haha). Happy to hear that the family loves it.
ANDRO says
Thanks, 5 ⭐! I make marinara gnocchi all the time.
Carbgirl says
Same here! Thanks so much for the comment and rating!
oliver says
made the simple tomato sauce with homemade potato gnocchi, which was delicious. next time I'll use store-bought ones as u suggest, since making gnocchi is quite time-consuming...
Carbgirl says
Hi Oliver,
Yes making gnocchi from scratch can be a bit time-consuming BUT they are super delicious. So happy that you made the recipe!
Lalalala says
Simple but tasty marinara sauce, nice for weekdays. We all enjoyed it.
Carbgirl says
Hi,
So happy that you all like the marinara gnocchi 🙂
Jen says
I made it with a can of Italian Mutti tomatoes, crushed and with basil. Added an extra clove of garlic and some fresh thyme. My friend and I both enjoyed it very much. After that, we had chocolate mousse for dessert, which was also superb.
Carbgirl says
Sounds divine! Extra garlic is always a good idea - as well as chocolate mousse! Thanks so much for the comment, Jen!
Sha says
I made this with diced tomatoes - didn’t have crushed ones. I simply mashed them a little with the potato ricer. It tastes great.
Carbgirl says
So happy to hear that, Sha! Great to hear that diced tomatoes are also a good option. Improvisation is everything in the kitchen.
…Sebi… says
I took Jen‘s idea above and added extra garlic. But not only 1 clove but 10 or so. I love garlic. It came out delicious. So simple yet so good.
Carbgirl says
Oh, so happy to hear, Sebi, that this recipe can be adjusted for true garlic lovers 🙂 Thanks so much for leaving a review!