Description
This Tomato Basil Gnocchi Topped with Cottage Cheese is a creamy, comforting, and protein-packed dish that brings Italian-inspired flavors to your table in under 30 minutes. Soft gnocchi, tangy tomato basil sauce, and a velvety cottage cheese topping come together for a meal that’s both wholesome and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package (16 oz) potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes or tomato passata
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Fresh basil leaves, torn
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup cottage cheese (small curd preferred)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan or mozzarella (optional)
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add gnocchi and cook until they float to the surface (2–3 minutes). Drain and set aside. For extra flavor, pan-sear lightly in olive oil until golden on the edges.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste, then add crushed tomatoes, oregano, sugar, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until thickened slightly.
- Add Basil: Stir in fresh basil leaves until just wilted for a burst of freshness.
- Combine with Gnocchi: Add cooked gnocchi to the sauce and toss gently to coat evenly. Let simmer for 2 minutes to absorb flavor.
- Plate and Top: Serve the gnocchi in shallow bowls, top each with a generous spoonful of cottage cheese, and garnish with extra basil. For extra richness, sprinkle Parmesan or mozzarella.
Notes
This dish is light yet satisfying. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water. For a vegan version, use plant-based gnocchi and dairy-free ricotta or tofu cream as a topping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/2 of recipe)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 25mg