If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to wrap yourself in a warm, comforting hug on a chilly day, this Creamy Spicy Gnocchi Bread Bowl might just be the culinary equivalent. It’s like wearing your favorite sweater, only you’re eating it—creamy, spicy, and oh-so-satisfying. Imagine the softness of the gnocchi, the heat that takes you by surprise, all wrapped up in a toasty bread bowl that makes you feel like you’re indulging in a little secret.
Steps
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cook gnocchi in boiling water according to package instructions and set aside, saving 1 cup of the pasta water.
- In a skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil and add minced garlic, cooking for about a minute. Stir in tomato paste, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, heating until well combined.
- Adjust the sauce consistency by gradually adding reserved pasta water, if necessary. Add the gnocchi to the sauce and mix until well coated, then set aside.
- In a bowl, mix melted butter with garlic powder, salt, and parsley to create garlic butter. Hollow out each bread loaf to form a bowl, ensuring not to cut through the bottom.
- Spread the garlic butter inside and outside of each bread bowl and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Fill each bowl with about 1 cup of the spicy gnocchi mixture.
- Top each filled bread bowl with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and ¼ cup of parmesan cheese. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Garnish the bread bowls with fresh parsley and serve warm, using the extra bread pieces for dipping. Enjoy this spicy and cheesy dish!
Ingredients
- 4 bread bowls or 4-5 inch Kaiser rolls, hollowed out
- 16 ounces potato gnocchi, cooked as per package instructions
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 2 cups (476 g) heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1 cup reserved pasta water from cooked gnocchi (optional)
- ½ cup (1 stick/113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon minced parsley
- 4 cups (452 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup (100 g) finely shredded parmesan cheese, divided
- Fresh parsley for garnish
FAQ
- Can I prepare gnocchi at home?
- Yes, you can make homemade gnocchi by blending potatoes with flour to create small dough balls. The process involves boiling, mashing, and kneading the potatoes with flour and an egg, forming “snakes,” cutting them into pieces, and rolling them under a fork for texture before boiling them until they float.
- What type of bread is best for a Spicy Gnocchi Bread Bowl?
- Kaiser rolls or sourdough bread loaves are ideal for creating a Spicy Gnocchi Bread Bowl. Ensure to hollow them out without cutting through the bottom, so they can hold the gnocchi mixture securely.
- How do I make the spicy red sauce for the gnocchi?
- To prepare the spicy red sauce, sauté garlic in olive oil, then add tomato paste, heavy cream, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook until heated through and, if necessary, adjust the consistency using reserved pasta water.
- What cheese is recommended for topping the bread bowls?
- For a deliciously cheesy top, use shredded mozzarella and finely shredded parmesan cheese. These should be spread over the gnocchi mixture before baking to ensure a rich, melted cheese finish.
- Can the bread tops be used in the recipe?
- Yes, the tops of the bread loaves can be baked alongside the bread bowls. Once baked, they are perfect for dipping into the cheesy gnocchi filling.
Tips
- When hollowing out the bread bowls, be cautious not to cut through the bottom to maintain the structural integrity needed to hold the gnocchi filling.
- Reserve some of the pasta water after cooking the gnocchi; it can be used to adjust the consistency of your sauce if needed.
- For an enhanced flavor, thoroughly spread the garlic butter both inside and outside of the bread bowls, and also add a bit to the tops of the bread pieces set aside for dipping.
- Before serving, garnish the finished dish with fresh parsley for a touch of freshness and color, complementing the spicy and cheesy flavors.
Equipment
- Parchment paper (for lining the baking sheet)
- Baking sheet (if you don’t already own one)
- Large pot (for boiling gnocchi)
- Skillet (for preparing the spicy red sauce)
- Hand strainer or slotted spoon (for removing gnocchi from boiling water)
