Prep Time

　　20 minutes

　　Active Time

　　30 minutes

　　Total Time

　　50 minutes

　　This stick-to-your ribs vegetarian dinner is a snap to make: Just hit the prepared pasta section of the grocery store for the gnocchi, roast some eggplant (do this step ahead, if you want), add marinara (store-bought is fine), and top with mozzarella.

　　

Ingredients

6–8 servings

　　1 box fresh gnocchi

　　1 large eggplant

　　1/2 cup olive oil

　　1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

　　2 cups marinara sauce, store bought or homemade (your choice!)

　　1/2 cup mozzarella, cubed

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside.

　　

Step 2

Cube the eggplant and toss it with the olive oil until evenly coated and spread them evenly on the lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the tops with the salt. Roast in the oven for about 20 minutes. Then quickly remove the pan from the oven and push the eggplant around with a wooden spoon so the cubes turn over. Then return the pan to the oven and roast for another 20 minutes or until the eggplant is lightly browned and collapsed. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

　　

Step 3

Add the marinara sauce and roasted eggplant to a saucepan and warm over medium-low heat. You want the sauce to get heated through, but not boil or bubble.

　　

Step 4

While the sauce is warming, make the gnocchi according to package directions and divide the cooked dumplings evenly amongst three or four bowls.

　　

Step 5

Then add the cubed mozzarella to the sauce and stir for one minute so it gets tender but doesn't melt. Stir the sauce into the gnocchi and serve!