When I think about comfort food recipes, this dish always comes to mind. Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is a bowl of soft potato dumplings baked with rich tomato sauce and gooey mozzarella. I still remember the first time I made it, the smell filled my kitchen and neighbors peeked in to ask what I was cooking. What I love most is that gnocchi recipes like this one bring together simplicity and flavor. You don’t need a culinary degree to pull it off, and yet it feels like something you’d proudly serve to guests. The healthy gnocchi recipes that cross my path never feel as indulgent as this, but it does have that balance of comfort without going overboard. This is one of those authentic recipes you keep coming back to. If you’ve ever craved healthy comfort food recipes that still let you twirl your fork through cheesy strings, you’ll understand. For the meat lovers in my family, I’ve even tried beef gnocchi recipes with this sauce and it worked beautifully. And for anyone who loves experimenting with gnocchi sauce recipes, this is your base to play with.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Authentic Gnocchi alla Sorrentina Recipe
3) Ingredients for Authentic Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
4) How to Make Authentic Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
5) Tips for Making Authentic Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
6) Making Authentic Gnocchi alla Sorrentina Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Authentic Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
8) Try these Main Course next!
9) Authentic Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Classic Italian baked gnocchi dish with tomato sauce and cheese.
Comfort food recipes at their finest with a mix of flavor and ease.
Simple steps make it beginner friendly yet rewarding.
Flexible base that allows creative twists like adding beef or different cheeses.

2) Easy Authentic Gnocchi alla Sorrentina Recipe

Comfort food recipes always make me think of dishes that hug you from the inside. Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is exactly that. Soft pillows of potato gnocchi get coated in rich tomato sauce and tucked under a blanket of melting mozzarella. It feels indulgent without being too heavy. I find it’s the kind of recipe you can make even on a busy weeknight, yet it still looks like you spent all day in the kitchen.

What makes gnocchi recipes so approachable is that you can grab a bag of store bought gnocchi and still end up with something that tastes like a family tradition. For me, that’s the beauty of healthy gnocchi recipes like this. They’re forgiving, easy to adjust, and always delicious. A recipe like this one also works when you want healthy comfort food recipes but don’t want to sacrifice that gooey cheese pull.

On Cook Daily Recipe, we celebrate authentic recipes that connect us back to the flavors of home. This one is no exception. It’s hearty, flexible, and satisfying. If you want to experiment, beef gnocchi recipes fit perfectly with this sauce, and for anyone who loves tinkering, you can build countless gnocchi sauce recipes from this starting point. You can always find more recipes at Cook Daily Recipe.

3) Ingredients for Authentic Gnocchi alla Sorrentina

Potato Gnocchi Soft dumplings that can be homemade if you have time or bought at the store when life feels busy. Either way, they turn out delicious when baked in sauce.

Tomato Passata Smooth and rich tomatoes that form the base of the sauce. If you prefer, crushed tomatoes give a chunkier texture that works just as well.

Garlic Fresh minced cloves that perfume the oil and deepen the flavor of the sauce. The kitchen always smells inviting when garlic hits a hot pan.

Olive Oil A couple spoonfuls of olive oil bring out the richness in the sauce and help sauté the garlic. Choose one you enjoy the flavor of, since it does shine through.

Oregano A small pinch of dried oregano lends an herbal depth. It ties the tomatoes and cheese together beautifully.

Mozzarella Cubes of mozzarella melt into soft pockets that stretch with each forkful. I’ve tried swapping it for provolone when I wanted a sharper bite, and that worked well too.

Parmesan Cheese Grated Parmesan adds a salty, nutty finish to the top layer. It crisps slightly in the oven, giving each bite a satisfying contrast.

Basil Leaves A few fresh basil leaves torn by hand for garnish. They brighten the whole dish and give that unmistakable Italian aroma.

4) How to Make Authentic Gnocchi alla Sorrentina

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. This way the dish goes right into the heat once it’s ready. I like to set the dish out on the counter so I don’t forget it when things get hectic.

Step 2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté garlic until the aroma rises. Don’t rush this part. Garlic adds depth, and letting it soften gently prevents it from turning bitter.

Step 3. Stir in tomato passata with oregano, salt, and pepper. Let it bubble away on low heat until it thickens slightly. The sauce should look glossy and rich by the time it’s ready.

Step 4. Cook the gnocchi in a pot of salted boiling water. They’ll float when they’re done, which always feels like a tiny victory dance in the pot. Drain them quickly and get ready for the best part.

Step 5. Mix the gnocchi into the sauce so every piece is coated. Transfer it to a baking dish and scatter the mozzarella cubes across the top. Then finish with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan.

Step 6. Bake until the cheese melts into golden edges and bubbling pools. About 20 minutes later, pull it out, garnish with basil, and serve it hot.

5) Tips for Making Authentic Gnocchi alla Sorrentina

I’ve learned that good comfort food recipes rely on small touches. Salt your pasta water so the gnocchi doesn’t taste flat. Give the sauce a chance to simmer long enough to mellow the garlic. And don’t skimp on the cheese, it’s the soul of the dish.

If you want to lighten the dish a bit, you can swap mozzarella for a part skim version or stir in some sautéed vegetables like zucchini or spinach. These tweaks keep the character intact while leaning toward healthy comfort food recipes.

Don’t be afraid to test different gnocchi sauce recipes. Add a spoonful of butter to the sauce, toss in red pepper flakes for heat, or try layering in cooked beef for a twist that matches beef gnocchi recipes you might have seen. Each choice makes the dish your own.

6) Making Authentic Gnocchi alla Sorrentina Ahead of Time

Life doesn’t always give you time to cook right before dinner. Luckily, this recipe works well prepared in advance. I often cook the sauce and gnocchi earlier in the day, then assemble them in the dish to bake later. Cover with foil and refrigerate until needed.

When I do this, I leave out the mozzarella until just before baking. That way the cheese stays fresh and melts perfectly in the oven. Reheat the dish in a preheated oven for about 25 minutes and it will taste as good as if you made it on the spot.

This flexibility makes it one of those comfort food recipes I reach for when guests are coming. You can spend more time at the table and less time worrying about the oven timer.

7) Storing Leftover Authentic Gnocchi alla Sorrentina

Leftovers, when they exist, store beautifully. Place the gnocchi in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the oven for best results, since the microwave tends to soften the cheese too much.

If you want to freeze it, wrap portions tightly in foil and place them in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm in the oven until heated through. The dish holds up surprisingly well and saves you when you need something quick and filling.

Every time I pull leftovers out, I’m reminded why this belongs on the list of reliable comfort food recipes. It’s hearty, it keeps well, and it still brings the same joy even when reheated.

8) Try these Main Course next!

9) Authentic Gnocchi alla Sorrentina