Quick Tomato and Basil Gnocchi
This quick tomato and basil gnocchi is a vegetarian main course where fluffy potato gnocchi are simmered in a rich tomato sauce with garlic, shallots, dried basil and melted mozzarella. The Thermomix TM7 chops the aromatics in seconds and simmers the sauce hands-free, then crisps wholemeal breadcrumbs on top for a golden, oven-finished bake.
About this recipe
Quick Tomato and Basil Gnocchi Thermomix TM7 brings a classic Italian-inspired comfort dinner to your table in record time, making it a favourite among quick weeknight dinner recipes for the all-in-one kitchen machine. Soft pillow gnocchi are folded through a slow-simmered tomato sauce perfumed with dried basil, garlic and shallots, then blanketed in grated mozzarella and crunchy wholemeal breadcrumbs before a final bake. What makes this gnocchi bake work so well in the TM7 is the way the machine chops the garlic, shallots and fresh parsley to an even consistency in seconds, then simmers the tomato sauce gently at a controlled temperature so the basil flavour deepens without any stirring or splattering on the hob. The built-in scale also means you weigh the gnocchi, mozzarella and olive oil directly into the mixing bowl, saving on washing up. Serve it straight from the oven on a chilly evening, or make a double batch for a relaxed family Sunday.
Preparation tips
- Choose shelf-stable potato gnocchi and add them straight from the packet to the tomato sauce; there is no need to pre-boil them, which keeps this bake genuinely quick and avoids watery sauce.
- For an extra crunchy topping, toast the wholemeal breadcrumbs with olive oil and a little garlic in a frying pan before scattering them over the mozzarella, so they stay golden and crisp after baking.
- This bake reheats beautifully the next day: cover with foil and warm in the oven, and add a few fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley just before serving to lift the flavours again.
Recipe variations
- Lactose-free version: replace the grated mozzarella with a plant-based melting cheese and check that the gnocchi are dairy-free; the wholemeal breadcrumb topping stays deliciously crunchy exactly the same way.
- Festive winter variation: stir roasted cherry tomatoes and cubes of mozzarella through the sauce, finish with torn basil and a drizzle of good olive oil for a colourful version worthy of a Christmas table.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Speedy chopping - The TM7 chops the shallots, garlic cloves and fresh parsley in seconds, saving ten minutes of knife work. [Chopping]. [Time Savings]
- Weighing precision - The Thermomix built-in scale weighs the gnocchi, olive oil and mozzarella directly in the bowl for consistent results. [Weighing]. [Precision Control]
- Gentle simmering - The Thermomix simmers the tomato sauce with dried basil at a steady low heat, developing deep flavour unattended. [Heating]. [Multi-Function]
- Golden breadcrumbs - The TM7 grates or processes the wholemeal bread into even crumbs for a crunchy, evenly browned bake topping. [Grating]. [Multi-Function]
- Effortless combining - The Thermomix mixes the gnocchi through the sauce gently, coating every piece without breaking the delicate dumplings. [Mixing]. [Multi-Function]
Ingredients
- wholemeal bread
- garlic cloves
- fresh parsley
- grated mozzarella
- garlic cloves
- shallots
- olive oil
- passata
- balsamic vinegar
- dried basil