One Pot Recipes

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Work With Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Vegetarian Recipes

    Tomato Gnocchi Sauce (One Pot)

    Published: Oct 2, 2024 · Modified: Jan 22, 2025 by Abeer Rizvi · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Jump to Recipe

    Quick and easy tomato gnocchi sauce recipe, made in one pot on stovetop with simple ingredients like tomatoes and basil and loaded with Italian flavors. It's an easy 30 minute meal.

    Tomato Gnocchi Sauce Recipe

    Want to Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading

    By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from One Pot Recipes

    My family really likes Italian meals and this one pot tomato gnocchi sauce always hits the mark. Hands down, this is the best. It's rich and creamy and perfect people who love classic tomato pasta sauces. You truly can't get easier than this with simple ingredients, simple steps, and maximum flavor. Some other weeknight Italian favorites are this One Pot Italian Sausage Pasta and this One Pot Lasagna Soup.

    Jump to:
    • Key ingredients
    • Variations
    • How to make easy one pot gnocchi tomato sauce recipe from scratch?
    • What to serve with tomato gnocchi?
    • Tips and techniques
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Storage
    • More one pot dinner ideas
    • Recipe

    Key ingredients

    • Olive oil- Used for sauteing and adding flavor
    • Garlic- Be sure it is finely minced.
    • Onion- Chopped up to fine pieces.
    • Crushed tomatoes- I use a 28 oz can, but you can also use fresh.
    • Salt and pepper- Adjust according to personal preference.
    • Italian seasoning and Oregano- For that classic Italian flavor profile.
    • Red chili flakes- This is optional but adds a little kick.
    • Green peppers- Cut them into thin slices.
    • Basil leaves- Fresh is best for color and flavor.
    • Potato gnocchi- you will need a 16 oz box.
    • Mozzarella cheese- Make the dish faster with pre-shredded.
    • Parmesan cheese- Used as a garnish.

    Variations

    • Sweet potato sauce- You can make the classic potato gnocchi or the sweet potato gnocchi. It will need a creamy sauce to give it flavor and tomato sauce recipe below works well for both.
    • Buttery option- Sauté garlic and fresh sage in butter until fragrant. Then toss gnocchis in this butter sauce until fully cooked and coated.
    • Make it cheesier- By using a variety of your favorite cheeses, adjusting the amount to your preference. Thin out with half and half or milk, as needed.
    • Use vodka- This makes a creamy tomato-based sauce infused with vodka.
    • Pumpkin flavor- Made with pumpkin puree, cream cheese and flavored with some herbs and spices.
    • Add in mushrooms- Use a combination of cream cheese, mozzarella cheese that is thinned out with half and half or milk. Then flavor with some fresh herbs and mushrooms.
    • Make it creamy- It's a creamy garlic parmesan sauce that's flavored with Italian herbs. The creaminess comes from mozzarella cheese and adding heavy cream.
    • Use pesto- Prepare pesto, using your favorite recipe or you can even use store-bought pesto and toss the boiled gnocchi in that.
    • Alfredo version- Prepare Alfredo sauce, using your favorite recipe or you can even use store-bought alfredo sauce and toss the boiled gnocchi in that.
    • Add spinach- Stir in ½ cup frozen spinach in this sauce near the end. Make sure to thaw it first and squeeze out excess water.
    • Mix in some broccoli- To bring in some color as well as added nutrition.
    • Toss in some protein- Like shrimp, chicken, or beef.

    How To Make Gnocchi Sauce (Tomato Sauce)

    How to make easy one pot gnocchi tomato sauce recipe from scratch?

    1. Saute- The garlic and onions in olive oil.
    2. Add in- Crushed tomatoes, herbs and spices.
    3. Let simmer- Until thickened.
    4. Mix in- Green peppers and fresh basil.
    5. Toss in- Boiled gnocchi and mozzarella cheese and mix altogether.
    6. Garnish- With basil and parmesan cheese and you are done.

    What to serve with tomato gnocchi?

    A simple salad, such as this Easy Green Salad (One Bowl) or Easy Kale Salad (One Bowl) will pair really well with this dish. Of course, you can't go wrong with some buttery breadsticks or dinner rolls, too. If you'd like this to be more hearty and filling with protein options, add in some Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken or ground beef.

    Tips and techniques

    • Red chili flakes are optional- But they add a subtle spicy kick that's awesome.
    • Instead of dried Italian seasoning- You can also use all fresh herbs like basil, sage, oregano, rosemary, thyme.
    • Adjust the amount of Italian seasoning- Basil, oregano, based on your preference.
    • Adjust the amount of mozzarella and parmesan cheese- Based on your preference.
    • To make the sauce more rich and creamy- Add ⅓ cup heavy cream.
    • Don't omit the fresh basil- Even though it's a small amount because it adds a lot of flavor and fragrance to this meal.
    • Sweet potato or potato gnocchi can be used- In this recipe, I like the potato version the best.
    • Use a nonstick pot- To prevent any burning and sticking during cooking.
    • If you like crispier gnocchi- Pan fry it in some olive oil first and then mix it into your sauce.
    • If the sauce is too thin- Cook it for bit longer until liquid is reduced.

    One Pot Gnocchi Tomato Sauce Recipe

    Recipe FAQs

    What is gnocchi?

    They are small dumplings made with potatoes and flour/semolina and usually served with a creamy sauce.

    How is gnocchi cooked?

    It's usually pan-fried in some butter or oil to make it crispy and golden brown and then it's tossed with a sauce and served. It can also be boiled in salted water until it floats on top. Then, water is drained and boiled gnocchi is tossed together with the sauce.

    Can you use other sauce of gnocchi besides tomato?

    Yes. Some other popular options are vodka sauce, primavera sauce, cheese sauce, pesto sauce, mushroom sauce, garlic butter sauce, or a cream sauce.

    Storage

    • Make ahead- This can be made up to 2 days in advance if kept in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat before serving. See freezing options below.
    • Refrigerate- Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days.  
    • Freeze- I recommend laying out the gnocchi in a single layer (without sauce) on a baking sheet to freeze. Once frozen, place in a sealed container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Store sauce in a separate sealed container. Thaw, combine, and reheat before serving.
    • Reheat- In the microwave or over the stovetop. If frozen, be sure to thaw it out in the fridge first.

    More one pot dinner ideas

    • One Pot Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
    • One Pot Basil Pesto Pasta Recipe 
    • One Pot Creamy Spinach Pasta
    • One Pot Chicken Pasta (Chicken Fajita Pasta)
    • Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta (One Pot)

    Recipe

    Easy One Pot Tomato Gnocchi Sauce- Overhead Shot.

    One Pot Tomato Gnocchi Sauce

    Abeer
    Quick and easy gnocchi sauce recipe, made in one pot on stovetop with simple ingredients like tomatoes and basil and loaded with Italian flavors. Easy 30 minute meal.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 4 People
    Calories 124 kcal

    Want to Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading

    By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from One Pot Recipes

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tablespoon Olive oil
    • 3 cloves Garlic Finely minced
    • ½ cup Onion Finely chopped
    • 1 can Crushed tomatoes 28 oz. can
    • Salt To taste
    • Pepper To taste
    • 2.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning Dried
    • 1 teaspoon Oregano Dried
    • ¼ teaspoon Red chili flakes Optional
    • ½ cup Green peppers Thinly sliced
    • 4-5 Basil leaves Fresh, Roughly chopped
    • 1 box Potato gnocchi 16 oz. box
    • ½ cup Mozzarella cheese Shredded
    • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese For garnish

    Instructions
     

    • In a large nonstick pot, boil gnocchi in salted water until it floats on top. Drain and keep aside.
    • In the same nonstick pot, heat oil over medium high heat. 
    • Add the garlic and onion and cook until onions are transparent. 
    • Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, oregano, red chili flakes and mix everything together.
    • Let it simmer until liquid is reduced and sauce thickens. Stir occasionally to mix everything together. 
    • In the final 5 minutes, add green peppers, basil and mix them into the sauce. 
    •  Add boiled gnocchi and mozzarella cheese into the pot and mix everything together. 
    • Garnish with more basil and sprinkle parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Read all my tips above.
    • Tates best, when served fresh but leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days.  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 124kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 7gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 390mgPotassium: 396mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 575IUVitamin C: 26.8mgCalcium: 206mgIron: 1.9mg

    An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.

    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or rate and tag @1potrecipes on social
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    More Vegetarian Recipes

    • White Dish Full of Easy Blueberry Salad With Blueberry Vinaigrette.
      Easy Spinach Blueberry Salad (One Bowl)
    • Easy One Pot Crispy Fried Onion Rings in Lined Basket.
      Easy Crispy Onion Rings (One Pot)
    • One Pot Boiled Corn on the Cob in Milk and Butter- Overhead Shot.
      Boiling Corn on The Cob (One Pot)
    • Easy One Pot Watermelon Salad With Feta Cheese in Black Bowl on Rustic Gray Background.
      Watermelon Salad with Feta & Mint (One Bowl)

    Comments

    1. Dorothy says

      October 09, 2018 at 6:36 pm

      I had forgotten how much I love gnocchi!! You have given so many options that I may have to work my way through the entire list!

      Reply
    2. Brandy O'Neill says

      October 09, 2018 at 9:20 pm

      Thank you for this recipe! Saving to make soon!

      Reply
    3. Catalina says

      October 10, 2018 at 12:33 am

      My whole family loves gnocchi! They will love this flavorful dish!5 stars

      Reply
    4. Toni says

      October 10, 2018 at 5:38 am

      This looks like a great meal for weeknights!5 stars

      Reply
    5. Jacque Hastert says

      October 10, 2018 at 8:32 am

      One pot meal for the win. Pinning for later this week.5 stars

      Reply
    6. Tanya Harris says

      October 10, 2018 at 9:07 am

      Loving the vodka sauce in this one pot dish!5 stars

      Reply
    7. Des says

      October 10, 2018 at 10:08 am

      A perfect meal for busy nights like today. Can't wait to make this!5 stars

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Abeer headshot

    Hi, I'm Abeer!

    Recipe developer. Photographer. Mommy & Foodie. Welcome to OnePot Recipes, a place where I share my love for cooking using One Pot, Instant Pot and Stock Pot!

    More about me

    Popular

    • Spoonful of Easy One Pot Beef Barley Soup With Vegetables.
      Beef Barley Soup (One Pot)
    • Easy Strawberry Spinach Salad With Poppy Seed Dressing on White Background.
      Strawberry Spinach Salad {Poppy Seed Dressing}
    • Easy One Pot Lasagna Soup in Big Ladle- Closeup Shot.
      One Pot Lasagna Soup
    • Roast Turkey Breast Recipe
      Roast Turkey Breast (One Pan)

    Latest

    • White Dish Full of Easy Blueberry Salad With Blueberry Vinaigrette.
      Easy Spinach Blueberry Salad (One Bowl)
    • Easy One Pot Crispy Fried Onion Rings in Lined Basket.
      Easy Crispy Onion Rings (One Pot)
    • Easy One Pot Apricot Chicken- Overhead Shot.
      Apricot Chicken (One Pot)
    • One Pot Boiled Corn on the Cob in Milk and Butter- Overhead Shot.
      Boiling Corn on The Cob (One Pot)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Me

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2024 One Pot Recipes