Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina (Baked Gnocchi)

Indulgent and flavorful, Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina highlights the delicious flavor of tomatoes and fresh basil leaves. This baked gnocchi dish is elevated to a whole new level by the addition of pecorino cheese and mozzarella cheese. It’s the perfect comfort food.

This is a dish I made inspired by Recipe 30’s Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina Recipe.

What Is Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina?

Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina is a very simple and quick Italian recipe that originates from Sorrento. There is speculation that the recipe was created in the 15th century by a Sorrentine cook who was curious about including potatoes in pasta recipes.

The result of his experimentation was potato gnocchi, which incorporates mashed potatoes with the traditional gnocchi dough of egg and flour. It was then that he made a tomato sauce from them with mozzarella and basil. There is also a theory that Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina is inspired by French cuisine.

What Does Alla Sorrentina Mean in Italian Cuisine?

As the name implies, “Alla Sorrentina” means Sorrento-style, and this cheesy baked pasta is a Sorrento-style dish. This dish, like many other pasta dishes, is very easy to make. There are so many things to love about this dish. It’s very indulgent making it a perfect pasta recipe for fall.

What Kind Of Cheese Is In Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina?

Pecorino cheese and mozzarella are used in the authentic recipe. However, parmesan cheese has also been used as an alternative to pecorino. This recipe can be made with parmesan if you live where pecorino is harder to find.

It is easy to find fresh mozzarella at most supermarkets. Alternatively, you can use bocconcini (mozzarella balls) if you can’t find any in the deli.

Ingredients List

• Gnocchi – Gnocchi are basically dumplings. Normally, they are made of potato, semolina, and flour. Also, there are various types, shapes, and ingredients of gnocchi. But in general they are small ovals with ridges across them from gnocchi paddles. Some gnocchi contain spinach (gnocchi verde) and some are made with sweet potatoes. Using storebought potato gnocchi if fine.
• Fresh Mozarella – Mozzarella is a popular cheese in southern Italy made from buffalo milk. Use fresh mozzarella when available, but you can also use seasoned mozzarella.
• Pecorino Cheese – this cheese is made from sheeps milk so it adds a unique flavor profile to this dish. Parmigiano is a good substitute.
• Pomodoro Sauce – these are easy to find in stores. It may be helpful to but these ingrediants in a store that carry Italian ingredients.
• Garlic Cloves – The sauce of this dish is a very simple one, so adding garlic helps build some flavors.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – also adds its own unique flavors.
• Salt and Pepper – flavor enhancers

How To Make This Dish

1. Prepare your oven by setting the temperature to 350 degrees. 
2. In a large pot, bring water to a boil and wait for it to get bubbly hot.
3. During this time, add olive oil to a medium skillet, and let the minced garlic fry for one minute.
4. Then add tomato sauce and stir. Tear some basil leaves into the sauce. Allow it to simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, season the bubbly hot water with salt and add the gnocchi. When the gnocchi begins to float to the top, they are ready.
6. Season the tomato sauce with salt and pepper.
7. Using a straining spoon, gently scoop the gnocchi into the sauce once they are ready.
8. Mix well to ensure they are well coated. Remove from the heat immediately..
9. Place half of the gnocchi in a baking dish. Spread grated pecorino cheese over the top. 
10. Add the rest of the gnocchi and sprinkle some pecorino cheese on top. Then top it with sliced fresh mozzarella cheese.
11. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 15 minutes or until the mozzarella is melted and bubbly.
12. Serve while hot.

Can You Prepare Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina In Advance?

I haven’t enjoyed this dish when made way ahead of time. I think the best way to preparing it ahead is to make the tomato sauce ahead. That way, all you’ll have left to do is cook the gnocchi and complete the rest of the steps. Put it in the oven to bake few minutes before you need to serve it.

Mozzarella gets tough after it has cooled down for a while and doesn’t taste as good. Also, the gnocchi’s texture may get harder when left out too long before serving. The gnocchi in this dish should be pillowy soft in tomato sauce with melted soft cheese on top.

How To Store Leftovers And Reheat

My suggestion is to cover the leftovers in a baking dish with plastic wrap once it has completely cooled down. Then place it in the fridge. The reason why I store mine this way is that I like to reheat it in the oven in the same baking dish. Also, it’s a good way to add more mozzarella slices on top. The cheese is one of the best parts of this dish.