Soft gnocchi, tomato sauce and melted mozzarella: this Italian bake is simple and on the table in no time. Using ready-made gnocchi keeps the trip to the oven nice and short.
On a chilly weeknight, a warm baking dish is especially welcome. The tomato sauce gets time to simmer while mozzarella and Parmesan melt to a golden brown on top. Fresh basil makes the whole dish fragrant and bright. Put the dish in the middle of the table and spoon out servings straight from it.
Preheat the oven to 220 °C. Set out a large baking dish or use an ovenproof pan.
Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook the garlic for about 30 seconds without letting it brown. Add the passata, salt and a few twists of black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the gnocchi according to the package instructions. Drain as soon as they are cooked.
Stir the gnocchi into the tomato sauce and mix in about half of the basil leaves. Transfer everything to the baking dish if your saucepan isn't ovenproof.
Scatter the mozzarella and Parmesan over the gnocchi. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cheese has melted and has golden-brown spots here and there.
Scatter the remaining basil over the top and serve immediately.
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