Easy One Pan Chorizo Gnocchi Bake

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This hearty and cheesy one-pan chorizo gnocchi bake is an easy 30-minute dinner that is perfect comfort food. It's also a cheap family meal that everyone loves.

You'll also love this broccoli gnocchi, baked spinach and tomato gnocchi, spinach and artichoke gnocchi, butternut squash gnocchi, pan-fry gnocchi with some butter and dried herbs.

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⭐️ Why this recipe works
🧾 Ingredients overview
👩🏻‍🍳 Here's how to make it
📖 Variations
💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips
🍯 Storing and reheating leftovers
❓Recipe FAQ's
Easy One Pan Chorizo Gnocchi Bake

⭐️ Why this recipe works

Flavourful Combination: The spicy, savoury chorizo pairs perfectly with the soft, pillowy gnocchi, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavours.
Rich and Creamy Sauce: The tomato and roasted red pepper sauce, combined with chicken broth and mozzarella, adds depth and richness to the dish.
Quick and Easy: This recipe is straightforward and can be prepared in under an hour, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
Nutritious Ingredients: Spinach and basil not only add colour and freshness but also boost the nutritional value of this recipe.
Versatile: This recipe allows for various substitutions and additions, catering to different dietary preferences and ingredient availability.

🧾 Ingredients overview

Ingredients for chorizo gnocchi all from Aldi.

Olive oil: Used for cooking the chorizo and sautéing the onions and garlic.
Chorizo slices: Adds a spicy, smoky flavour and a satisfying crispy texture.
Red onion: Provides a sweet and savoury base for the sauce.
Garlic cloves: Enhances the overall flavour with a robust, aromatic element.
Gnocchi: The main carbohydrate component, offering a soft and chewy texture.
Tomato and roasted red pepper sauce: Creates a rich and flavourful base for the sauce.
Chicken broth: Adds depth and a savoury element to the sauce.
Spinach: Adds color, freshness, and nutritional value.
Basil: Infuses the dish with a fresh, herbaceous note.
Fresh mozzarella: Melts to create a creamy, gooey topping.
Lemon zest: Adds a bright, citrusy finish to balance the rich flavors.

For precise measurements and additional ingredients, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

👩🏻‍🍳 Here's how to make it

Easy One Pan Chorizo Gnocchi Bake recipe step-by-step

Start with an oven-safe pan and add a drop of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped chorizo to the pan and cook for about 10 minutes. Once the chorizo is crispy, remove it from the pan and set it aside. *Drain off most of the rendered fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
Add the diced onions and garlic to the pan and sauté until they're tender and fragrant. *The onions will turn a deep golden brown from some of the fat from the chorizo left in the pan.

Tomato paste being made into sauce for on pot gnocchi.

Add the sauce to the pan and stir to coat the onions. *At this stage the stock will be a thick paste.
Pour the chicken stock into the pan and whisk until you have a tomato sauce.

Once the sauce has come together, stir in the spinach and then add the gnocchi.
Let the gnocchi simmer in the sauce for about 3 minutes. That's how long gnocchi takes to cook, ie no time at all!

Crispy chorizo is mixed into one pan gnocchi.

Stir the chorizo back into the pan and drain the ball of fresh mozzarella from the liquid.
Tear the cheese into chunks and divide evenly over the gnocchi. * The sauce will continue to thicken as the cheese melts as it bakes in the oven. Bake for about 15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling. Top with some basil leaves and serve.

A bowl with baked gnocchi and mozzarella on a table.

📖 Variations

Vegetarian Option: Replace chorizo with vegetarian sausage or extra vegetables like bell peppers and mushrooms.
Cheese Alternatives: Use cheddar, provolone, or gouda instead of mozzarella for a different flavour profile.
Gluten-Free: Ensure gnocchi is gluten-free or substitute with gluten-free pasta.
Additional Veggies: Add courgette (zucchini), cherry tomatoes, or artichoke hearts for extra vegetables.
Herbs and Spices: Experiment with different herbs like thyme, oregano, or rosemary for varied flavours.

💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips

Drawing on a decade of experience in Michelin-starred kitchens and Cordon Bleu training, I have compiled my top tips for recipe success.

Toast the Gnocchi: Lightly toast the gnocchi in the pan before adding it to the sauce for a slight crispiness.
Resting Time: Let the dish rest for a few minutes after baking to allow the flavours to meld.
Herb Infusion: Infuse the olive oil with rosemary or thyme while cooking the chorizo for added aroma.

🍯 Storing and reheating leftovers

Fridge: Store the cooled chorizo gnocchi in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: To reheat, preheat your oven to 180ºC, cover the gnocchi with foil, and bake for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Alternatively, microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway.

❓Recipe FAQ's

Can I use something else instead of chorizo?

Absolutely. You can use up any leftover roast chicken or ham that you may have. Proscuitto would also work really well here too.

Can this be made in advance?

Normally, I'm all about creating recipes that are super flexible, but this really is best when made and eaten fresh. So, no. It's not advised to make this in advance, sorry!

What kind of cheese can I use instead of mozzarella?

Anything that's really great for melting. So, something like a Gouda or Emmental can work, if that's what you have.

Looking for other gnocchi recipes like this? Try these:

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