Baked Feta Gnocchi – The Creamy, Cheesy Dinner You’ll Make on Repeat!

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Are you on the hunt for the quintessential weeknight dinner? We’re talking about a meal that requires very little fuss but delivers a huge amount of flavour—a dish so comforting it feels like a proper treat. Imagine a restaurant-worthy, bubbling, cheesy feast that comes together with just a few ingredients in a single baking dish. Well, your search is over. Allow us to introduce your new favourite meal: Baked Feta Gnocchi – The Creamy, Cheesy Dinner You’ll Make on Repeat!

This recipe brilliantly adapts the viral baked feta pasta trend, swapping pasta for tender, pillowy gnocchi. As the block of feta and sweet cherry tomatoes roast, they magically transform into a rich, tangy, and wonderfully creamy sauce. The only thing left for you to do is stir it all together. It’s a straightforward, elegant, and unbelievably delicious dish that we’re confident will become a staple in your home.

Why You’ll Love This Baked Feta Gnocchi Recipe

We are completely convinced that this recipe will become a firm favourite. Its appeal goes beyond the spectacular taste; it’s about the sheer ease and satisfaction it brings to the kitchen. Here is why we believe it’s the perfect comfort food:

Effortless to Prepare, Big on Flavour: This is a genuine ‘set it and forget it’ kind of meal. You just arrange the ingredients in your dish and allow the oven to perform all the magic. There’s no need for constant supervision or complicated techniques.
A One-Pan Triumph: Forget about a sink piled high with pots and pans. Everything cooks together harmoniously in one baking dish, which makes the washing-up afterwards incredibly quick and easy.
Wonderfully Adaptable: While the fundamental recipe is absolutely heavenly, it also serves as an excellent canvas for your own culinary creativity. Don’t hesitate to add your preferred herbs, spices, or extra vegetables to personalise it.
Perfect for the Whole Family: Its luscious, creamy texture and cheesy taste are a guaranteed success with people of all ages. It’s a brilliant way to share a meal that feels both sophisticated and wonderfully accessible.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this gorgeous creamy gnocchi bake, we rely on a handful of simple, fresh ingredients that truly shine. The real alchemy occurs when these modest elements meld together under the gentle heat of the oven.

Cherry Tomatoes: You’ll need around 500g. These vibrant little orbs collapse as they roast, releasing their sweet, concentrated juices to create the sauce’s foundation.
Block of Feta Cheese: One 200g block is ideal. We suggest using a block of Greek feta stored in brine, as it delivers the creamiest result and a superior salty tang.
Potato Gnocchi: A 500g packet of either fresh or shelf-stable gnocchi will work perfectly. There’s no need to pre-boil it for this method!
Garlic: 3-4 cloves, peeled and kept whole or coarsely chopped. They will roast to become soft, sweet, and mellow.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A generous amount, about 3-4 tablespoons, is needed to unite all the flavours beautifully.
Dried Oregano: 1-2 teaspoons will impart that classic, fragrant Mediterranean aroma.
Red Pepper Flakes: Just a pinch will add a subtle warmth, but feel free to add more if you prefer a spicier kick.
Fresh Basil: A small bunch of fresh leaves, torn or roughly chopped, to be stirred through at the end for a final burst of freshness.
Black Pepper: Freshly cracked from a mill, to your personal taste.

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Baked Feta Gnocchi

Are you ready to make something truly wonderful? This easy gnocchi recipe is incredibly straightforward. Just follow our simple steps below to achieve a flawless, mouth-watering result every time.

Preparing the Bake

Preheat Your Oven: To begin, set your oven to 200°C (400°F / Gas Mark 6) and let it heat up.
Assemble the Ingredients: Take a large baking dish (a 9×13 inch dish or one of a similar capacity is perfect). Place the whole block of feta cheese directly in the centre.
Add Tomatoes and Garlic: Arrange the cherry tomatoes and peeled garlic cloves in the dish, nestled around the block of feta.
Season Generously: Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil all over the ingredients. Sprinkle the dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and a good grinding of black pepper over everything. Gently toss the contents of the dish to make sure it’s all lightly coated. We advise against adding salt at this point, as feta is naturally very salty.

Baking to Perfection

Roast in the Oven: Put the baking dish into your preheated oven and let it bake for 25-30 minutes. The signs of perfection are burst tomatoes and a feta block that is soft, golden, and irresistibly melted.

Creating the Creamy Sauce & Finishing Touches

Cook the Gnocchi: During the last 10 minutes of the feta’s baking time, cook your gnocchi following the packet’s directions. Most fresh varieties only require 2-3 minutes in boiling water. As soon as they float, they are ready. Drain them thoroughly.
Create the Sauce: Carefully take the hot baking dish out of the oven. With the back of a spoon or a fork, press down on the softened feta and burst tomatoes to mash them together. The roasted garlic should be tender enough to squash directly into the sauce. Mix well until a vibrant, rustic tomato and feta sauce forms.
Combine and Serve: Tip the cooked and drained gnocchi straight into the baking dish with the sauce. Stir gently, ensuring every soft pillow of gnocchi is enveloped in the glorious, creamy sauce. Finish by stirring through the fresh basil leaves.
Enjoy Immediately: Serve your Baked Feta Gnocchi straight away, while it’s wonderfully hot. An extra drizzle of olive oil or another twist of black pepper can be added just before serving, if you like.

Tips and Tricks for Success

We want your experience making Baked Feta Gnocchi to be absolutely perfect. Below are a few of our top tips and variations to help you master the recipe and tailor it to your own tastes.

Choosing Your Ingredients

Feta is Key: To achieve the most luscious and creamy sauce, we strongly advise using a block of Greek feta that has been preserved in brine. Pre-crumbled feta often contains additives to prevent caking, which means it won’t melt into the same smooth consistency. You can discover more about feta varieties from trusted sources like BBC Good Food.
Gnocchi Matters: This recipe works well with both shelf-stable and fresh, refrigerated gnocchi. We find that fresh gnocchi tends to have a slightly softer, more pillowy texture. While some recipes suggest adding raw gnocchi to the bake, we find that boiling it separately guarantees that perfect, tender bite.

Customising Your Dish

Add Veggies: Don’t be afraid to add more vegetables into the baking dish from the start. Sliced red onion, chopped bell peppers, or courgette would be lovely additions. You could also stir through a large handful of fresh spinach at the end.
Boost the Protein: To make this a more substantial meal, consider stirring in some cooked shredded chicken, a tin of chickpeas, or some cooked prawns after you have made the sauce.
Herb Variations: If you don’t have fresh basil, fresh parsley or a scattering of fresh thyme would also be delightful. You could also play around with other dried herbs, such as rosemary or a mixed Italian herb blend.
A Touch of Citrus: For a brighter, zesty note, squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over the final dish right before you serve it.

If you enjoy comforting and creamy pasta-style dishes, you should also try our recipe for The Ultimate Garlic Butter Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe. It’s another family favourite that delivers big on flavour!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make this Baked Feta Gnocchi ahead of time?

We find this dish is at its absolute best when served immediately, while the sauce is hot, bubbly, and creamy. However, any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. We recommend reheating it gently in a microwave or on the hob with a small splash of water or milk to help loosen the sauce.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

While feta is certainly the star of the show, you could definitely experiment with other soft cheeses. A block of Boursin, soft goat’s cheese, or even cream cheese would yield a similarly creamy result, although the flavour profile would change quite significantly.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

That’s simple to do! Just swap the standard potato gnocchi for a gluten-free variety, which is readily available in most large supermarkets these days. Always double-check that your other ingredients are certified gluten-free as well.

My sauce isn’t creamy enough. What did I do wrong?

This can sometimes occur if the feta used was a drier variety (not packed in brine) or if it was slightly overcooked. Please don’t worry! It’s an easy fix. Simply stir in a spoonful of the starchy water from cooking the gnocchi, a little single cream, or a dash of milk until the sauce reaches the consistency you desire.

Your New Go-To Comfort Meal Awaits

So there we have it—a simple, beautiful, and deeply satisfying meal that is ideal for any night of the week. This one-pan feta gnocchi is proof that you don’t need complex methods or a long shopping list to make something truly memorable. It’s a wonderful celebration of fresh ingredients and comforting textures, all in one dish.

For another incredibly simple and delicious one-pot meal, why not check out The Ultimate Crockpot Chicken Tortellini Recipe Creamy Easy? It’s another one of our favourites for a hassle-free dinner.

We just know you’re going to adore this Baked Feta Gnocchi recipe. So please, give it a go this week! We would be delighted to hear how you get on. Feel free to leave a comment below to tell us about your experience or share any creative twists you made to the recipe!