Gnocchi alla Sorrentina Recipe (5 Ingredients)
Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is a simple recipe you can make in minutes with only 5 ingredients. Toss soft pillows of gnocchi, pearls of fresh mozzarella, and a jar of our favorite tomato sauce with fresh basil for a quick, easy, and cozy meal. Best of all, it’s ready in 15 minutes!
A Quick Meal with Gnocchi alla Sorrentina…
Our Gnocchi alla Sorrentina recipe is fuss-free and foolproof. It’s a simple Italian pasta; we like to call it “comfort food” at its best. And it turns out delicious every time.
When we make something quick for dinner, we like to keep it simple, but it still has to be delicious, satisfying, and filling; and this recipe happens to be one of them.
For this Gnocchi alla Sorrentina recipe, you’ll need only 5 ingredients: a package of potato gnocchi (imported from Italy), a jar of marinara sauce, mini mozzarella balls, and fresh basil. And, one pot to cook the gnocchi and stir all the ingredients together.
What is Gnocchi?
Gnocchi is a type of Italian pasta made from boiled potatoes mixed with eggs and flour to form little pillows of pasta. They are a staple in Italian cuisine.
Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is a dish from Southern Italy, named after the beautiful city of Sorrento. And my cousin, Carmela, in Italy makes it often.
What are the Ingredients for our Gnocchi alla Sorrentina Recipe?
- Potato Gnocchi – Look for packages that are marked “Imported from Italy.” These are the highest-quality gnocchi you can find.
- Marinara Sauce – We always make a huge batch of our mom’s quick marinara sauce, and/or authentic Italian tomato sauce, and store them in mason jars, and keep them in our freezer. You can use your favorite jar of marinara sauce if you don’t have time to make it ahead of time.
- Pearled Mozzarella Balls – You can find packages of fresh pearled mozzarella in the cheese section of your local supermarket. You can also find them in plastic containers, stored in liquid. Either option works for this recipe.
- Fresh Basil – For the best flavor, always toss in fresh basil. It gives a fresh flavor to this pasta dish.
- Crushed Red Pepper – For spiciness, toss in some crushed red pepper flakes when coating the tomato sauce with the gnocchi.
Important Tips from 2 Sisters Recipes…
- The 16-ounce package of potato gnocchi says it makes 4 servings, but it really makes only 3. So if you need additional servings, we recommend buying 2 packages (16 ounces each) of potato gnocchi. Then add additional tomato sauce and mozzarella pearls.
- There are only 5 main ingredients. So it is always a good idea to use the best-quality ingredients you can find.
- If you cannot find packages of pearl mozzarella, look for small balls in containers in the cheese section at your local grocery store.
- They also sell packages of Gluten-Free Gnocchi.
How to Make Gnocchi alla Sorrentina?
This is an ideal recipe for anyone who has never made a gnocchi dish before. Let’s go through our easy-to-follow steps so you will understand what’s involved. Plus, our full recipe card is located at the bottom.
1. First, bring a 4-quart pot filled with water to a full boil. Next, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt to the water. Remove the gnocchi from the vacuum package and add them to the boiling water.
2. Boil the gnocchi for 1 to 3 minutes, until they all float to the top. As soon as float to the top, grab a fork and take one gnocchi to taste it for tenderness. They should be ready. DO NOT overboil them, or they will become too mushy and fall apart. Then drain the gnocchi in a colander.
Meanwhile, open the package of small mozzarella balls, and transfer to a small bowl.
3. Pour them back into the pot. Add the tomato sauce and turn the heat to low to warm the sauce. Toss in a generous pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
4. Then toss in a handful of small mozzarella balls and freshly chopped basil. Stir to combine. *The heat will slowly melt the mozzarella pearls, making this dish irresistible. Then serve in individual bowls with a few extra mozzarella balls on top.
Serve 3 to 4
QUICK TIP! You can toss in as many mozzarella pearls as you like.
How to Serve Gnocchi alla Sorrentina?
You can serve this dish in two ways. You can serve it with the mozzarella balls melted, stirred into the tomato sauce, and allow them to melt before serving. Or toss them in at the last minute, just before serving in individual dishes. You can also serve it with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese at the table.
Can we make Gnocchi alla Sorrentina more Hearty?
Yes, go ahead and add mini meatballs or crumbled sausages that are already cooked; just warm them in the tomato sauce before you toss in the gnocchi and mozzarella balls.
Can we use “frozen” gnocchi for this Sorrentina recipe?
We don’t recommend using frozen gnocchi, and here’s why. For some reason, we find that frozen gnocchi do not hold their shape in boiling water, and they fall apart too quickly or even become mushy.
Craving More Under 30 minute Meals?
Try some of these quick dinner ideas from 2 Sisters Recipes:
- Butternut Squash Ravioli with Gorgonzola Sauce
- Porcini Truffle Ravioli (Trader Joe’s)
- Easy Chicken Wonton Soup
- Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Hello friends! Have you tried our Gnocchi alla Sorrentina Recipe? Let us know and leave a comment with a star⭐ rating, your insights and experience will help everyone who reads them, and will help us too!
Gnocchi alla Sorrentina Recipe
Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is a simple recipe you can make in minutes with only 5 ingredients. Toss soft pillows of gnocchi, pearls of fresh mozzarella, and a jar of our favorite tomato sauce with fresh basil for a quick, easy, cozy meal any day of the week.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (16 ounces) (453g) Potato Gnocchi (product of Italy)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 package of small mozzarella balls or pearls
- fresh basil
- crushed red pepper to taste
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- First, bring a 4 quart pot filled with water to a full boil. Next, Toss in 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt into the water.
- Remove the gnocchi from the vacuum package, pour the gnocchi into the boiling water. Boil the gnocchi for 1 to 3 minutes, until they all float to the top. As soon as they float to the top, grab a fork and take one gnocchi to taste it for tenderness. They should be ready. DO NOT over boil them, or they will become too mushy and fall apart.
- Meanwhile, open the package of small mozzarella balls, and transfer to a small bowl.
- Drain the gnocchi in a colander when they are done. pour them back into the pot. Add the tomato sauce, and turn on low heat to warm the sauce.
- Toss in a generous pinch of crushed red pepper flakes Then toss in a handful of small mozzarella balls and freshly chopped basil. Stir to combine. *The heat will slowly melt the mozzarella pearls, making this dish irresistible.
- Then serve in individual bowls with a few extra mozzarella balls on top.
Notes
There are two kinds of gnocchi, one made with potatoes, and the other with ricotta. Both are delicious with different textures. However, the potato gnocchi it a more dense, hearty texture and will hold up better for serving, while the ricotta gnocchi is like a polenta-.like softness.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 servings Serving Size: 1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 225Total Fat: 4.9gCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 11.7gSugar: 6.6gProtein: 9.6g
Happy Cooking! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by…
xo Anna and Liz
Related Posts:
Welcome! From Anna and Liz
We believe the kitchen is the center and the heart of the home. It is where we cook, eat, and unwind with family and friends, creating memorable traditions! Read more…
FREE EMAIL BONUS
Weeknight Dinners Made Easy
Tips & recipes for delicious meals . . . no matter your skill level!
FREE EMAIL BONUS
Weeknight Dinners Made Easy
Tips & recipes for delicious meals . . . no matter your skill level!