Description
At its heart, this dish is a creative reimagining of the famous Penne alla Vodka, but with a few significant upgrades. Instead of using traditional dried pasta, we use gnocchi, which are small dumplings usually made from cooked potatoes, flour, and eggs. Gnocchi have a unique ability to soak up heavy sauces while maintaining a light, airy center. When you prepare a spicy vodka gnocchi bake recipe, you are essentially creating a casserole-style dish where the dumplings are submerged in a luxurious tomato-cream sauce infused with vodka and crushed red pepper flakes.
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup vodka
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes 🍅
- ½ cup heavy cream 🥛
- ½ tsp red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- ½ tsp dried oregano
For the gnocchi bake:
- 1 lb (450 g) store-bought or homemade gnocchi
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 🧀
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish 🌿
Instructions
1. Cook the gnocchi
- Boil gnocchi according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the spicy vodka sauce
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Sauté onion until soft, then add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add vodka and simmer 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, chili flakes, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer 5–7 minutes, then stir in heavy cream.
3. Assemble the bake
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a baking dish, combine cooked gnocchi with the sauce.
- Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake
- Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
5. Serve
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
This spicy vodka gnocchi bake is creamy, comforting, and just the right amount of heat! Perfect for a cozy dinner or to impress friends with minimal effort. You can easily adjust the spice level or add your favorite protein for a heartier twist. 🍝🔥💛
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: ~450–500 kcal
Keywords: Baked gnocchi with vodka sauce, creamy spicy potato dumplings, Italian gnocchi casserole recipe, spicy tomato cream gnocchi