Ingredients
Produce
- 2 pints (682g) cherry tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup chopped basil leaves (plus more for garnish, if desired)
Dairy
- 1 8oz (227g) block feta cheese
Pantry
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ pounds (750g) packaged gnocchi (approximately 5 ½ cups)
- Salt for boiling water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425ºF (218ºC) to prepare for baking the tomatoes and feta.
- Prepare Tomatoes and Feta: Place the cherry tomatoes in a large 9X13 baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Toss to coat the tomatoes evenly with seasonings. Create a cleared space in the center and place the entire block of feta cheese in the middle of the dish.
- Bake Cherry Tomatoes and Feta: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the tomatoes are bubbling and the feta is soft.
- Cook Gnocchi: When about 10-15 minutes remain on the baking time, bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it generously. Add the gnocchi and cook for 3-5 minutes or until they float to the surface. Use a colander to drain the gnocchi as they become ready.
- Optional Broil: If your baking dish is broiler safe, set the oven to broil for 2-3 minutes to blister the tomatoes further and brown the feta lightly. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Add Aromatics and Combine: Remove the dish from the oven. Add the minced garlic and fresh chopped basil. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, break up the feta and tomatoes to create a chunky, mostly uniform sauce.
- Toss with Gnocchi: Add the cooked gnocchi into the baking dish and toss well to coat them thoroughly with the baked feta tomato sauce.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh basil if desired for extra flavor and color.
Notes
- Use a broiler-safe dish if you want to broil for a bubbly, browned top; otherwise, skip the broiling step.
- Gnocchi can be fresh or packaged—adjust cooking time if using fresh gnocchi accordingly.
- Ensure to salt the boiling water well to enhance the gnocchi’s flavor.
- For a spicier twist, add red pepper flakes with the olive oil and seasonings before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
