This WW Cheesy Gnocchi Casserole is a delicious baked gnocchi recipe that is just 5 WW points per serving.
This yummy dish is filled with flavors of potato gnocchi, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and garlic. It also has some chopped bell peppers and onions. Although it is naturally vegetarian, you can always add shredded chicken or some ground turkey if you want to give it more substance and customize it to your liking.
One thing I love about this recipe is how simple and quick it is! It doesn’t require many ingredients, and it can be ready in under an hour, which is always a win for those with busy schedules. You don’t even have to boil the gnocchi in water beforehand because it simmers in the sauce for a few minutes before the casserole even goes in the oven. Also, if you want some yummy side dish ideas to serve with this entrée, you can find them in my side dish recipe collection here.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
- Perfect for weeknights. The cooking time for this gnocchi casserole is just over 30 minutes, so it is great for when you need a quick meal.
- Little prep involved. You only have to chop the garlic, onion, and bell peppers for this recipe, which takes just a few minutes.
- It pairs with all sorts of sides. Enjoy this dish with a side salad, roasted vegetables, or other side dishes. If you don’t want a full vegetarian meal, serve it with a portion of chicken or other protein.
Recipe Overview
- Serving Size: 413g
- Number of Servings: 4
- Time to Cook: 35 minutes
- WW Points Per Recipe: 5 WW points per serving, 21 for the entire recipe (Click here to view the recipe in the WW app. WW login is required)
Ingredients in Weight Watchers Cheesy Gnocchi Casserole
- 1 tbsp Light butter substitute
- 3/4 cup Crushed tomatoes
- 1 small Onion, chopped
- 1 medium Bell pepper (preferred color), chopped
- 2 Garlic cloves, minced
- 24 oz Fat-free marinara sauce
- 16 oz Potato gnocchi (not frozen)
- 1 1/2 cups Fat-free mozzarella cheese, shredded
- to taste Dried or fresh parsley, chopped
- to taste Kosher salt
Instructions for making Weight Watchers Cheesy Gnocchi Casserole
- Preheat oven to 400F. In a large saute pan over medium heat, heat the butter substitute with the bell peppers and onions. Saute until softened, then add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute.
- Add the crushed tomatoes to help deglaze the pan (you can add a splash of water, too, if needed).
3. Allow to cook a couple of minutes longer, then add in the gnocchi, parsley, salt, and marinara sauce.
4. Cover and simmer for about 5 minutes. Add in about half of the cheese and gently stir until it just barely melts, being careful not to overmix. Transfer to an 8 or 9-inch baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
5. Bake for about 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted on top, the gnocchi is cooked, and the sides are bubbly. Allow to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Variations and Substitutions
- Gnocchi Casserole with Ground Meat: You can cook ground beef or turkey in the sauté pan before cooking the vegetables. Remove it from the pan temporarily and drain excess grease, then add the meat again with the sauce and gnocchi. You will need to use more sauce when adding meat.
- Gnocchi Casserole with Mushrooms: Add sliced mushrooms and cook with the bell peppers and onions for added flavor and texture.
- Cheese Type: You can also use shredded cheddar or another type if you prefer. Feel free to use fat-free, reduced-fat, or regular shredded cheese. Keep in mind that some cheeses will brown faster. The fat-free mozzarella doesn’t brown much.
Tips and Tricks for Making Weight Watchers Cheesy Gnocchi Casserole
- Don’t turn the heat too high on the stovetop because it will cause the tomato sauce to stick to the bottom of the pan.
- You can broil it during the last couple minutes of baking if you want more of a crust to form on the top with the cheese.
- You can always double the amounts to make 8 servings and use a larger casserole dish.
- Make sure to taste the sauce before transferring the mixture to the baking dish. You might need to adjust the salt level or add other spices depending on the brand of marinara that you use.
Weight Watchers Gnocchi Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Light butter substitute
- 3/4 cup Crushed tomatoes
- 1 small Onion, chopped
- 1 medium Bell pepper, preferred color, chopped
- 2 Garlic cloves, minced
- 24 oz Fat-free marinara sauce
- 16 oz Potato gnocchi, not frozen
- 1 1/2 cups Fat-free mozzarella cheese, shredded
- to taste Dried or fresh parsley, chopped
- to taste Kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. In a large sauté pan over medium heat, heat the butter substitute with the bell peppers and onions. Saute until softened, then add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute.
- Add the crushed tomatoes to help deglaze the pan (you can add a splash of water, too, if needed). Allow to cook a couple of minutes longer, then add in the gnocchi, parsley, salt, and marinara sauce.
- Cover and simmer for about 5 minutes. Add in about half of the cheese and gently stir until it just barely melts, being careful not to overmix. Transfer to an 8 or 9 inch baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted on top, the gnocchi is cooked, and the sides are bubbly. Allow to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
