Cheesy Baked Gnocchi with Tomatoes and Sausage

Ingredients

• 1 lb. package gnocchi
• 1 lb. Italian sausage
• 1 large shallot (diced)
• 3 large garlic cloves (minced)
• 3 T. Red Gold® Tomato Paste
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 28- oz. can Red Gold® Whole Peeled Tomatoes
• 1 c. halved yellow cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1/4 c. chopped fresh basil
• 1 T. fresh thyme leaves
• 1 T. heavy cream
• 12 oz. fresh mozzarella (torn into pieces)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400° F.

2. 2

   Spray an oven-safe baking dish with non-stick spray and set aside.

3. 3

   Cook gnocchi according to package directions in salted water, just until al dente. Drain and set aside.

4. 4

   While gnocchi is cooking, prepare the tomato/sausage sauce. In a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat, cook sausage, breaking it into bite-size pieces with a wooden spoon or spatula. After sausage is broken up, add diced shallot. Stir regularly until sausage is almost completely browned. Then add garlic and cook for another minute or two, or until sausage is done. Stir in tomato paste, salt, and black pepper, and cook for another minute or two, until tomato paste is fragrant. Add sliced peeled tomatoes and their juice, cherry tomatoes, and sugar, stirring to combine. Bring sauce to a simmer and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in heavy cream, basil, thyme, and cooked gnocchi.

5. 5

   Spread half of the gnocchi mixture onto the bottom of prepared dish. Top with slightly less than half of the torn mozzarella. Top with remaining gnocchi mixture, followed by remaining mozzarella. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until gnocchi mixture is bubbling and cheese is melted. Then place dish under broiler for a few minutes to brown the cheese.

6. 6

   Remove from oven, sprinkle with additional fresh herbs if desired, and serve hot.