Rating: 3.56
(125)

Baked Vodka Sauce Gnocchi

February 5, 2025

Baked vodka sauce gnocchi is a rich and indulgent dish that combines soft, pillowy gnocchi with a creamy, tangy vodka sauce, all baked to golden perfection. This hearty meal takes the classic combination of vodka sauce and pasta and elevates it with gnocchi, offering a unique twist that’s sure to satisfy. Whether you’re looking for a comforting dinner or a show-stopping dish for a special occasion, this baked gnocchi is the perfect choice.

The base of this dish begins with gnocchi, which can either be homemade or store-bought. These little potato dumplings are tender and absorb the sauce beautifully, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience with every bite. The gnocchi is first boiled until soft and then layered in a baking dish with the vodka sauce.

The vodka sauce itself is made from a combination of crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, garlic, onions, and a generous splash of vodka, which helps to deepen the flavor of the sauce and bring a bit of brightness to the dish. The vodka is cooked off, leaving behind a smooth, creamy, and slightly tangy sauce that complements the gnocchi perfectly. Fresh basil and a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added for a burst of herbaceous flavor and a hint of heat.

Once the gnocchi is layered with the vodka sauce, the dish is topped with a generous amount of mozzarella cheese and Parmesan. As it bakes, the cheese melts and becomes bubbly and golden, adding a deliciously gooey texture that’s irresistible. The baking process also allows the flavors to meld together, creating a comforting, satisfying dish with every bite.

Baked vodka sauce gnocchi is perfect for a cozy night in or when you’re looking for a dish that’s both rich and flavorful. It pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad or a slice of garlic bread to soak up any extra sauce.

This dish is sure to be a favorite in your recipe rotation, combining the creamy indulgence of vodka sauce with the soft texture of gnocchi in a way that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Baked Vodka Sauce Gnocchi
Baked Vodka Sauce Gnocchi
3.56 from 125 votes
A creamy and delicious baked pasta dish featuring fluffy gnocchi smothered in a rich vodka sauce, topped with cheese, and baked to perfection.
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound gnocchi store-bought or homemade
  • 2 cups vodka sauce jarred or homemade
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper freshly ground

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Cook the gnocchi according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and add the cooked gnocchi, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden.
  • Add the vodka sauce to the skillet, stir to coat the gnocchi evenly, and season with salt and pepper.
  • Transfer the gnocchi and sauce into a baking dish, then sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Serve hot, garnished with additional parmesan cheese or fresh herbs if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 15gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 850mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 15mg
Calories: 450kcal
Meal Type: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Gnocchi, pasta, vodka sauce
Cooking Method: Baked
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
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Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar bradford.von42 says:

    5 stars
    This looks so good! I can’t wait to try it this weekend. I love gnocchi!

  2. User avatar Super Saiyan 2 Vegeta says:

    2 stars
    I don’t get the vodka sauce thing. Why use vodka? Is it just for flavor or is there a point? Anyway, I’ll probably skip this one.

  3. User avatar roscoe.gutkowski says:

    2 stars
    Honestly, it turned out way too soggy for me. Not sure what went wrong.

  4. User avatar tobias.schmidt1 says:

    5 stars
    Cheesy goodness!! My 6-year-old could eat this every day, it’s that good!

  5. User avatar lolita.ruecker76 says:

    3 stars
    Isn’t gnocchi supposed to be fried? This seems odd to bake it?

  6. User avatar Paul "Muad'Dib" "Usul" Atreides says:

    4 stars
    I didn’t have vodka sauce, used marinara instead. Still turned out pretty good.

    1. User avatar anonymous_hacker says:

      5 stars
      That sounds great! Marinara has a nice flavor too. I’m glad it worked out for you!

    2. User avatar marivel.quitzon says:

      3 stars
      Marinara? Really? I mean, I guess it could be okay, but I think vodka sauce is kinda essential, right?

  7. 4 stars
    Super easy to make! I added some chicken and it was delish!

  8. User avatar troy.runolfsson64 says:

    5 stars
    REALY GOOD! My family couldn’t get enough. Definitely making again.

  9. User avatar hugh.treutel69 says:

    3 stars
    Gnocchi is overrated, don’t see what the fuss is about. But this combo was okay.

  10. User avatar curtis.hudson2019 says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! This is my go-to dish now. The kids loved it too!

  11. User avatar terminatorXYZ says:

    1 star
    Is this even a real recipe? Can’t believe people bake gnocchi with sauce. Lol.

    1. User avatar mirta.brakus2 says:

      2 stars
      Lol, I thought gnocchi was just for boiling. Baking it? Is that even safe? 🤔

    2. User avatar Kelle Quitzon II says:

      5 stars
      Actually, it sounds delicious! I can’t wait to try this out. Gnocchi and vodka sauce are perfect together!

  12. User avatar john.weimann says:

    5 stars
    Tried this tonight—super easy and the gnocchi actually crisped up a bit from the skillet step. The bake just makes it all bubbly and cozy. Will make again!

  13. 5 stars
    Made this last night. Quick, easy, and delicious! Will make again.

  14. 4 stars
    I’m skeptical about baking gnocchi because they can turn gummy, but mine were fine! I used homemade vodka sauce and fresh parm. The whole thing tasted fancy for how quick it is.

  15. 5 stars
    Yummm! Added some spinach and chicken. Wow- what a twist!!

  16. 5 stars
    This recipe is sooo good! My family loved it!

  17. User avatar zachariah.macejkovic52 says:

    2 stars
    Too salty for my taste! I followed the recipe exactly, maybe next time I’ll skip the extra salt.

  18. User avatar teena.collins says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! My friends are still talking about it. Will make this for my next dinner party!

  19. 3 stars
    I thought gnocchi was supposed to be boiled first? You just fry it, huh? Not sure about this…

  20. User avatar minh.pfeffer1978 says:

    1 star
    Gnocchi was soggy! I don’t know if I did something wrong or what… 🙁

    1. User avatar santos.parker says:

      3 stars
      No worries, it happens! Mine was a bit soggy too the first time I made it. Just gotta keep practicing!

    2. 4 stars
      Sorry to hear that! Maybe you overcooked the gnocchi? They can get mushy if left in the water too long!

  21. User avatar dewayne.becker80 says:

    5 stars
    This recipe was a total hit! My kids loved it, and so did I. Easy to make and super cheesy!

  22. User avatar modesto.streich says:

    3 stars
    I was skeptical about vodka sauce with gnocchi at first, but it was surprisingly good. Not sure I’d make it again, though.

  23. User avatar dierdre.auer16 says:

    5 stars
    Okay, I used homemade gnocchi and it turned out great—very rich from the mozzarella/parmesan. The only thing is it got a bit salty with both cheeses, so go light on the salt.

  24. User avatar tristan.hodkiewicz says:

    4 stars
    Easy to follow and the kids loved it. I used store-bought sauce and it turned out great! Will make again.

  25. User avatar Judith Becker says:

    5 stars
    This was amazing! My whole family loved it. Will make again!

  26. User avatar dwight.weber says:

    4 stars
    Made this for date night and it was perfect! Love how the cheeses melted. Gonna try it with homemade vodka sauce next time! 😊

  27. 4 stars
    I don’t like vodka anything (yeah, I know), so I subbed regular marinara. It was still awesome and my kids devoured it.

    1. User avatar steve_maga says:

      5 stars
      That’s awesome!! 🥰 I also don’t really care for vodka flavor, but I love the concept of the creamy baked cheese situation. Glad it still worked with regular marinara!

    2. User avatar joshua.langosh says:

      3 stars
      Wait… so no vodka at all? I feel like the sauce won’t be the same. But if your kids ate it, I guess I’m wrong 😅 What kinda marinara did you use—like sweet or regular?

  28. User avatar sophia.koch says:

    4 stars
    Really good but I think 15 minutes was a little short for my oven. I ended up doing closer to 22 mins and it was perfect. Still easy—no complaints.

  29. User avatar Misty C. Shore says:

    3 stars
    Eh, it was okay. My gnocchi turned out mushy… I don’t think I cooked them right.

    1. 4 stars
      It happens! Gnocchi can be tricky. Make sure to not overcook them in the boiling water next time. 😊

  30. User avatar Charles Darwin says:

    3 stars
    Is vodka sauce safe for kids? Asking for a friend.

  31. User avatar Thalassa says:

    2 stars
    I tried it but forgot the cheese. It was just ok. 👎

  32. User avatar Keo Ruug says:

    4 stars
    Really enjoyed this recipe! I added some spinach for extra veggies. Yum!

  33. User avatar cordia.russel26 says:

    4 stars
    I’m picky with sauce recipes, but this one worked. Jarred vodka sauce saves time and it tastes legit. Next time I’ll add some red pepper flakes.

    1. User avatar felicidad.kshlerin says:

      5 stars
      Same here—I’m picky too, but jarred vodka sauce can be surprisingly good. The red pepper flakes idea is spot on. 🤌

  34. User avatar joe_banana says:

    2 stars
    Uh, I don’t even know what gnocchi is?! But my friend made it and said it was good. Looks fancy!

  35. User avatar scott.daugherty1959 says:

    1 star
    I don’t get why you would bake something that is already cooked! You just ruin it.

  36. 5 stars
    Yummm! The cheese made it so good. Perfect comfort food.

    1. User avatar twila.durgan says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree! The cheese just makes everything better. Can’t wait to try this recipe!

  37. User avatar Royal Veum says:

    1 star
    Gnocchi is too soft for me. Not a good dish, sorry!

  38. User avatar Cave Bear says:

    4 stars
    Soo easy! But I used store-bought gnocchi from the frozen section and it still worked great.

    1. User avatar christoper.herzog1956 says:

      5 stars
      That’s great! I’ve always used homemade gnocchi, but now I gotta try this frozen one.

    2. User avatar Dro'marash says:

      2 stars
      Store-bought? I don’t know… that ain’t the same as making it from scratch. Might taste like cardboard.

  39. User avatar christia.smith8 says:

    2 stars
    I’m not sure about the vodka sauce, kinda sounds weird for gnocchi. Might stick to marinara…

  40. User avatar Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz says:

    3 stars
    It’s okay, but my sister makes it better. Just saying… 🤷‍♂️

3.56 from 125 votes
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