Get ready to meet your new go-to weeknight dinner! This incredible sheet pan creation brings together pillowy, golden-baked gnocchi, juicy burst tomatoes, gooey mozzarella, and savory sausage-ricotta meatballs. It’s a culinary masterpiece that comes together in just 20 minutes, offering a burst of healthy color and flavor that the entire family will absolutely adore. Say goodbye to complicated cooking and hello to effortless deliciousness!

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20-Minute Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage Meatballs: Your New Favorite Easy Weeknight Dinner

Imagine a dinner so comforting yet surprisingly light, so rich in flavor yet incredibly simple to prepare. This sheet pan gnocchi with sausage meatballs is exactly that. It’s the kind of meal that fills your kitchen with an inviting aroma, transforming a regular evening into a special one. In just 20 minutes, you can have a gourmet-quality meal on the table, perfect for those evenings when time is short but the desire for something truly satisfying is strong. We’ve found a new favorite, and we’re sure you will too!

This foolproof recipe combines tender baked gnocchi, sweet burst cherry tomatoes, fragrant fresh basil, and generous amounts of Parmesan cheese, creating a symphony of textures and tastes. Each bite offers a delightful contrast – from the soft gnocchi to the crispy meatballs and the creamy melted mozzarella. It’s a complete meal in one pan, ideal for both its deliciousness and its stunning presentation. And here’s a little secret: this recipe is made even easier by tossing the gnocchi in the flavorful oil and spices from your store-bought marinated mozzarella – a brilliant shortcut for an extra layer of taste!

Let’s dive into the details and get you cooking this incredible dish!

Why You’ll Love This Sheet Pan Gnocchi Recipe

This isn’t just another dinner; it’s a culinary revelation designed for the modern, busy home cook. Here’s why this 20-minute sheet pan gnocchi with sausage meatballs will quickly become a staple in your recipe rotation:

Unbelievably Quick & Easy: From prep to plate in just 20 minutes! This includes a mere 5 minutes of active preparation, making it perfect for even the most hectic evenings. No long simmering, no multiple pots and pans – just pure efficiency.
One-Pan Perfection: The magic of sheet pan cooking means everything bakes together on a single tray. This translates to minimal cleanup, allowing you to spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your delicious meal and relaxing with your loved ones.
Explosion of Flavor & Texture: Experience the delight of perfectly pillowy gnocchi with slightly crispy edges, juicy cherry tomatoes that burst with sweetness, savory and tender ricotta-infused meatballs, and rich, melty mozzarella. Fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze add a gourmet touch that elevates the entire dish.
Family-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: This dish has universal appeal. The combination of familiar flavors and comforting ingredients makes it a hit with both kids and adults. It’s hearty enough to satisfy hungry appetites, yet balanced enough to feel wholesome.
Customizable & Versatile: While the recipe is fantastic as written, it’s also incredibly adaptable. Easily swap proteins, add different vegetables, or experiment with various herbs to suit your family’s preferences or whatever you have on hand.

What You’ll Need: Key Ingredients for Success

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the quality of its fresh ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the vibrant flavors and appealing textures of this sheet pan delight. Here’s a closer look at what makes this dish shine:

Sweet Italian Sausage: The foundation of our flavorful meatballs. Sweet Italian sausage brings a wonderful depth of flavor with its inherent seasoning. If you prefer a little kick, hot Italian sausage works wonderfully too!
Eggs & Italian Breadcrumbs: These bind our meatballs together, ensuring they stay moist and hold their shape during baking. Italian breadcrumbs also add a subtle herbaceous note.
Ricotta Cheese: A secret weapon for incredibly tender and juicy meatballs. Ricotta adds moisture and a creamy texture, making each meatball melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Garlic Cloves: Essential for aromatic depth in both the meatballs and the gnocchi mixture. Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor.
Kosher Salt, Italian Seasoning, Dried Oregano, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, Black Pepper: A carefully selected blend of spices that seasons the meatballs to perfection and adds warmth to the entire dish. Adjust the red pepper flakes to your desired level of heat.
Olive Oil: Used for browning the meatballs slightly before baking, and for coating the gnocchi and vegetables to achieve that beautiful golden crispness.
Gnocchi (shelf-stable): The star of the show! Opt for shelf-stable potato gnocchi for convenience. When baked on a sheet pan, they become wonderfully soft on the inside with a delightful golden exterior.
Cherry Tomatoes: These little gems burst in the oven, releasing their sweet, tangy juices, which coat the gnocchi and meatballs, creating a natural sauce. Any color works!
Marinated Mozzarella Balls (Ciliegine): This is where the brilliant hack comes in! Not only do you get delicious, creamy mozzarella, but the seasoned oil it comes in is used to flavor and coat the gnocchi and tomatoes, adding incredible depth without extra effort.
Fresh Basil & Freshly Grated Parmesan: The ultimate finishing touches. Fresh basil provides a fragrant, peppery lift, while Parmesan adds a salty, umami richness.
Balsamic Vinegar or Glaze: A final drizzle enhances the flavors, adding a touch of sweet and tangy acidity that brightens the entire dish.

Pro Tips for the Best Sheet Pan Gnocchi

While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few expert tips can elevate your sheet pan gnocchi from great to absolutely exceptional. Follow these pointers for perfect results every time:

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: This is crucial for sheet pan success! Ensure your gnocchi, meatballs, and tomatoes are spread in a single layer with a little space between them. Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of roasting, preventing those desirable golden-brown edges on your gnocchi and meatballs. If necessary, use two sheet pans.
Pre-Brown the Meatballs: While not strictly essential for cooking through, a quick sauté in a skillet before they hit the sheet pan gives the meatballs a beautiful golden crust and locks in their juices, adding another layer of texture and flavor.
Embrace the Marinated Mozzarella Oil: Don’t skip this brilliant hack! The seasoned oil from your marinated mozzarella is a flavor powerhouse. It coats the gnocchi and tomatoes, infusing them with herbs and spices without any extra effort or ingredients. It’s a true game-changer for depth of flavor.
High Heat is Key: Roasting at 450°F ensures everything cooks quickly and evenly, achieving that desired crispy exterior on the gnocchi and tender burst on the tomatoes in a short amount of time.
Add Mozzarella at the End: Mozzarella balls are delicate. Adding them halfway through or at the very end of baking prevents them from overcooking and becoming rubbery. Scattering them over the hot gnocchi allows them to melt into perfect pockets of gooey goodness.
Finish with Freshness: Fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or glaze are not mere garnishes; they are essential for brightening the dish. The herbaceousness of basil and the tangy sweetness of balsamic cut through the richness, balancing the flavors beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions & Customization Ideas

One of the best things about sheet pan meals is their adaptability! Here are answers to common questions and ideas for how you can customize this recipe to perfectly fit your taste and dietary needs.

What other proteins can I substitute?

This recipe is incredibly versatile when it comes to protein! Feel free to swap out the sausage-ricotta meatballs or add more variety. Precooked meatballs are an excellent time-saver; just add them directly to the sheet pan with the gnocchi. You can also incorporate thinly sliced cooked sausage like kielbasa, bratwurst, or chicken sausage. For a lean protein option, try cubed chicken breast or thighs, or even sliced steak. Shrimp also works wonderfully – just add it to the sheet pan during the last 5-7 minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking and ensure it turns out tender and juicy.

What veggies work in place of tomatoes?

While burst cherry tomatoes are a highlight of this dish, you have plenty of other delicious vegetable options. Try chopped bell peppers (any color), zucchini, or yellow squash for a fresh touch. Small diced sweet potatoes or butternut squash add a hint of sweetness and hearty texture; just ensure they are cut into small pieces so they cook through in the same timeframe as the gnocchi. Broccoli florets or asparagus spears would also be excellent additions, providing a lovely green color and earthy flavor. Feel free to mix and match your favorites!

What’s a good substitute for basil?

If fresh basil isn’t available or you prefer a different flavor profile, other herbs can definitely step in. Fresh thyme and rosemary are fantastic options, offering an earthy, aromatic quality that pairs beautifully with sausage and gnocchi. You could also try fresh oregano for a more robust Italian flavor. If using dried herbs, remember that their flavor is more concentrated, so use about one-third of the amount you would use for fresh herbs.

Can I make this recipe ahead?

Absolutely! This dinner can be partially prepared up to 1 day ahead of time, which is a lifesaver for busy schedules. Prepare your sausage-ricotta meatballs as directed, rolling them into balls. On your sheet pan, combine the raw gnocchi, cherry tomatoes, and garlic. You can even drizzle it with the marinated mozzarella oil. Cover the sheet pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it until you’re ready to cook. When it’s dinner time, simply preheat your oven, brown the meatballs if you haven’t already, add them to the pan, and roast! This significantly cuts down on active cooking time right before the meal.

How do I store and reheat this recipe?

Leftovers of this sheet pan gnocchi are just as delicious! Store any remaining portions in an airtight, resealable container or a casserole dish. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. If freezing, allow the dish to thaw to room temperature before reheating for the best results. To reheat, you can warm the mixture gently over low heat in a skillet on the stovetop until heated through. Alternatively, individual servings can be quickly reheated in the microwave, though the gnocchi might lose some of its crispness.

More Quick & Easy Sheet Pan Dinner Ideas

If you love the convenience and deliciousness of this 20-minute sheet pan gnocchi, you’ll be thrilled to discover more easy one-pan meals designed to simplify your weeknights. Sheet pan dinners are a revelation, offering maximum flavor with minimal cleanup. Here are some of our other favorite recipes that bring comfort and ease to your kitchen:

Easy French Bread Pizzas
Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Sausage, Zucchini + Tomato Sheet Pan Dinner
Firecracker Chicken Meatballs
One-Pan Meatloaf and Roasted Potatoes

We truly hope you enjoy this easy, scrumptious 20-Minute Sheet Pan Gnocchi recipe as much as we do. It’s the perfect crossover dish, bridging the comforting flavors of winter with the fresh, vibrant tastes of early spring. It’s hearty enough to satisfy, healthy enough to feel good about, and absolutely bursting with flavor. Our family devours this in seconds, and we bet yours will too!

If you give this recipe a try, please feel free to leave a comment and a star rating below. We would absolutely love to hear if you serve this fantastic dish for your family and friends!

20-Minute Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage Meatballs

Say hello to your new favorite weeknight dinner! Pillowy, golden baked gnocchi with mozzarella, juicy burst tomatoes, and sausage-ricotta meatballs. This easy sheet pan dinner only takes 20 minutes! Full of healthy color and flavor the whole family will love.

Yield:
Makes 4-5 servings

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
15 minutes

Total Time:
20 minutes

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

16 oz. (1 lb.) sweet Italian sausage
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon olive oil, for cooking

For the gnocchi:

1 (16 oz.) package gnocchi (shelf-stable)
2 pints cherry tomatoes, any color
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (12 oz.) tub marinated mozzarella balls (ciligene, save the oil)

For serving:

Fresh basil, chopped
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Balsamic vinegar or glaze, for drizzling

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F (230°C).
In a medium bowl, thoroughly combine all ingredients for the meatballs (sweet Italian sausage, egg, Italian breadcrumbs, ricotta, minced garlic, kosher salt, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper). Roll the mixture into approximately 1-inch balls.
Drizzle 1 teaspoon of olive oil into a large skillet. Over medium heat, cook the meatballs until they are golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. This step helps to develop a beautiful crust and seal in the juices.
Toss the pre-cooked meatballs, uncooked gnocchi, cherry tomatoes, and the remaining minced garlic onto a large sheet pan, ensuring they are spread in a single layer without overcrowding.
Drizzle the mixture generously with the flavorful oil and spices reserved from the tub of marinated mozzarella. Set the mozzarella balls aside; do not add them to the pan yet.
Using your hands or a spatula, gently toss the gnocchi and tomatoes in the oil mixture until everything is well coated, ensuring all ingredients get a share of that delicious seasoning.
Roast in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes, or until the cherry tomatoes have softened and burst, and the gnocchi is beautifully golden and puffed up.
Remove the sheet pan from the oven and scatter the marinated mozzarella balls evenly around the cooked gnocchi and meatballs. The residual heat will gently melt them into gooey perfection.
Sprinkle generously with fresh chopped basil, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or glaze for an extra burst of flavor.
Serve warm immediately and enjoy your effortlessly delicious 20-minute meal!

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