Description
This Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi Bake is a comforting and flavorful Italian-inspired casserole featuring tender gnocchi, seasoned ground chicken, and a rich marinara sauce, all topped with melty mozzarella, parmesan, and creamy burrata cheese. Perfectly baked until bubbly and golden, it’s garnished with fresh herbs for a vibrant finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Gnocchi
- 12 ounces plain gnocchi
Chicken Mixture
- 1 ½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 lb ground chicken
Sauce and Cheese
- 2 cups store-bought marinara sauce
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 ball fresh burrata cheese
Garnish
- Sprigs fresh basil or oregano
Instructions
- Preheat and cook gnocchi: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook according to package directions until they float to the surface, usually 2-3 minutes. Drain the gnocchi, reserving ¼ cup of the cooking liquid.
- Sauté aromatics and chicken: While the gnocchi cooks, heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large nonstick cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and roughly chopped garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Brown the ground chicken: Add the ground chicken to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and the onions turn golden brown, approximately 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat and season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooked gnocchi, reserved cooking liquid, marinara sauce, and crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet with the chicken mixture. Stir gently to combine everything well. Then stir in the shredded parmesan cheese.
- Add mozzarella and bake: Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the skillet mixture. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven, placing it on the top oven rack. Bake until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is golden brown, about 15 minutes.
- Finish and garnish: Remove the skillet from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes to set. Add the fresh ball of burrata on top. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with sprigs of fresh basil or oregano before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh burrata just before serving for a creamy, luxurious texture that complements the baked cheese.
- You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or lean ground beef if preferred.
- Reserve some of the cooking water from the gnocchi to help loosen and blend the sauce perfectly.
- If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, use an oven-safe baking dish for combining and baking the components.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes quantity to control the spiciness level according to your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan, Gnocchi Bake, Italian Casserole, Baked Gnocchi, Ground Chicken Recipe, Comfort Food
