Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- 500g store-bought frozen meatballs
- 1 vegetable stock cube
- 500ml boiling water
- 400g dried gnocchi
- 1 cup cream
- Zest and juice of 1 small lemon
- 100g mozzarella, grated
- Fresh chives and parsley, to garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Place a large frying pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about three minutes until softened. Add the sliced garlic and cook for an additional two minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Cook Meatballs & Deglaze: Add the frozen meatballs to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally for a few minutes to brown them slightly. Meanwhile, dissolve the vegetable stock cube into 500ml of boiling water. Pour the stock into the pan to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits.
- Simmer Meatballs: Let the meatballs simmer in the stock for about five minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Add Gnocchi: Add the dried gnocchi to the pan with the meatballs and stock. Stir to combine.
- Add Cream and Simmer: Pour in the cream and stir everything together. Let the mixture simmer gently for five minutes or until the gnocchi is cooked through and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency.
- Finish with Lemon and Cheese: Stir in the lemon zest and juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Scatter the grated mozzarella over the surface and cover the pan briefly until the cheese melts.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh chives and parsley over the dish before serving for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- Use store-bought frozen meatballs for convenience; homemade meatballs can also be used but may require longer cooking.
- Vegetable stock cube can be replaced with chicken stock cube if preferred.
- For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of full cream.
- You can substitute mozzarella with other melting cheeses like fontina or provolone.
- Gnocchi can be fresh or dried; adjust cooking time slightly if using fresh gnocchi.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water or stock to loosen it.
- Ensure the pan is large enough to hold all ingredients comfortably.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
