Craving an easy, cheesy dinner with all the pizza flavor and zero dough rolling? Meet pizza gnocchi: a one-skillet, oven-baked mix of tender gnocchi, hearty meats, melty mozzarella, and bold Italian seasoning. Minimal prep, packed with flavor, and just one pan to clean...yes, please!
This meat lovers' twist keeps things lighter with lean turkey sausage, turkey pepperoni, and a little diced ham, so every bite is cozy, cheesy, and super satisfying. As a dietitian, I love that it packs protein without feeling heavy. It all cooks in one pan, which means quick cleanup and more time to eat. Perfect for busy weeknights or movie night, this pizza gnocchi will be your new go-to.
If you're all about easy, satisfying meals with big flavor, you'll love these other weeknight favorites! Try my Chicken Parmesan Stromboli for a crispy, cheesy twist on a classic, dig into High-Protein Chicken Enchiladas for a hearty, protein-packed dinner, or spice things up with my Sweet Potato Taco Skillet-a one-pan meal loaded with bold Tex-Mex flavors.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single oven-safe skillet, making cleanup a breeze!
- Pizza Meets Pasta: You get all the best flavors of a loaded pizza with the cozy comfort of gnocchi the whole family with love.
- High-Protein & Flavor-Packed: With turkey sausage, turkey pepperoni, and ham, this dish is hearty, filling, and satisfying.
Want creamy Cajun flavors? Try my cajun chicken gnocchi skillet.
Ingredients
This recipe comes together with simple, easy-to-find ingredients that pack in big flavor for your next pizza night!
- Potato gnocchi: These soft, pillowy bites absorb the rich marinara sauce, making every bite extra comforting. No need to pre-cook them-they'll soften perfectly in the oven! You can use store-bought gnocchi or try making homemade gnocchi!
- Lean turkey sausage: A lighter protein option that's still packed with bold, savory flavor. You can use mild or spicy turkey sausage, depending on your preference!
- Turkey pepperoni: A leaner option than regular pepperoni but still delivers that signature pizza flavor. Cut them in half for better distribution in every bite.
- Diced ham: Adds a smoky, savory bite to the mix. Thick-cut, deli-style, or any leftover ham will do!
- Italian seasoning: This blend of oregano, basil, thyme, and garlic powder gives the dish its classic Italian pizza taste.
- Marinara sauce: Use a good-quality jarred marinara or try my homemade marinara sauce for the freshest taste. Look for one with minimal added sugar and simple ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil.
- Mozzarella cheese: For that classic gooey, melty topping, use freshly shredded mozzarella for the best texture. Pre-shredded cheese has added starches that can make it less melty.
See the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
Want to customize this delicious dish to fit your preferences or dietary needs? Here are some simple swaps:
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meats and replace them with sautéed mushrooms, baby spinach, green pepper, or black olives for a veggie-packed meal.
- Switch up the turkey pepperoni by using mini pepperoni or standard pepperoni slices.
- Stir in a few dollops of ricotta cheese before baking or top with burrata when serving for a creamy, cheesy finish.
- While potato gnocchi works best, you can also use cauliflower gnocchi for a lower-carb option.
- Swap turkey sausage for hot Italian sausage, ground beef, or even shredded rotisserie chicken.
How to Make Pizza Gnocchi
This one-pan dish comes together in just a few simple steps:
Step 1: Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
Step 2: Heat an oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, diced onion, Italian seasoning, and turkey sausage. Sauté for 8-10 minutes, breaking up the sausage as it cooks.
Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in marinara sauce and uncooked potato gnocchi until well combined.
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Step 4: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the top. Scatter turkey pepperoni and diced ham over the cheese.
Step 5: Cover the skillet with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the gnocchi is fork-tender.
Step 6: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm in the microwave or oven at 325°F until heated through.
- Freeze: This dish freezes well! Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months and reheat in the oven.
Tips for the Best Pizza Gnocchi
These tips will help you make the perfect gnocchi pizza skillet!
- Use an oven-safe skillet so you can easily go from stovetop to oven without extra dishes. I love using my cast iron for this recipe!
- Don't forget to cover with aluminum foil to trap steam and ensure your gnocchi cooks perfectly!
- Remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking to get a perfectly golden brown, cheesy topping.
- Make sure to let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving so the sauce thickens and flavors meld together.
- Add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, or red pepper flakes before serving for extra flavor.
- Pair with a fresh side salad or garlic bread for a well-rounded meal.
FAQ
You can cook frozen gnocchi the same way as fresh-there's no need to thaw them first. Just toss them into the sauce before baking, adding an extra 5-10 minutes of bake time to ensure they cook through.
It depends on how it's made! Traditional pizza crust is higher in carbs and often contains added sugars, while gnocchi is made from potatoes and can be lower in calories. However, both can be healthy when balanced with lean proteins, veggies, and quality ingredients.
Yes! Assemble everything up to a day in advance, cover with foil, and store in the fridge. Bake when ready, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
More Dinners You'll Love!
Looking for other easy meals like this? Try these:
Meat Lovers Pizza Gnocchi
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 14 oz lean turkey sausage
- 1 jar marinara sauce 24 oz
- 1 package potato gnocchi 16 oz
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella reduced fat
- ¼ cup turkey pepperoni halved
- ¼ cup diced ham
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
- Heat an oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, diced onion, Italian seasoning, and turkey sausage. Sauté for 8-10 minutes, breaking up the sausage as it cooks.
- Remove from heat and stir in marinara sauce and uncooked potato gnocchi until well combined.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the top. Scatter turkey pepperoni and diced ham over the cheese.
- Cover the skillet with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the gnocchi is fork-tender.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.
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