If you’re looking for an easy and delish weeknight meal, look no further than this cheesy Twice-Baked Sweet Potato Gnocchi Casserole! The gnocchi is surprisingly simple to make: Bake your sweet potatoes until perfectly tender, then combine them with flour, eggs, and salt. The dough comes together in minutes, and you get these perfect, light, and airy nuggets from the sweet potato!
Instead of the usual sage and butter sauce that’s usually paired with sweet potato gnocchi, we’re opting for a casserole dish filled with cheese, sauce and lots of spinach. The addition of sausage in the dish balances the sweetness of the potatoes for the perfect bite — trust me, this is a family-friendly dinner that everyone will love.
ingredients
Gnocchi:
Remainder of ingredients:
directions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Place potatoes on a lined baking sheet. Using a fork or knife, poke several holes. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until fork tender. Remove and let cool slightly*. Reduce the heat of the oven to 375°F.
*Let potatoes cool slightly only until you are able to handle them- do not let them cool completely as it will be easier to make your dough while it is still warm.
Scoop out the insides of potatoes. Pass potatoes through a potato ricer- alternatively, use a fork and mash well**. Add to a large bowl. Add in egg yolk and salt. Combine. Slowly incorporate the flour, mixing with a spatula until the dough starts to come together. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead a few times until smooth.
**Ensure that the potatoes are fully cooked through, otherwise the dough won’t be smooth
Portion dough into four. Roll each piece out into a log. Cut into small uniform pieces. Repeat for all portions. Optional, use a gnocchi board or a fork to create ridges.
Add oil to a large skillet. Cook sausage on medium heat until it’s crumbled and fully cooked, about 8 minutes, using a spatula to break it up. Remove sausage and set aside. Add butter to the skillet and toss in the onion. Cook till translucent.
Add in your prepared gnocchi and saute 2-3 minutes. Add in garlic and seasonings. Stir till combined. Toss in tomatoes and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes. Finally, fold in spinach.
Place ⅔ of marinara sauce in a casserole dish. Pour the prepared gnocchi mixture on top. Add the remainder of the sauce.
Add mozzarella cheese on top as desired, grated or cut into rounds.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden. Remove and garnish with fresh herbs as desired.
