Cheesy Beef Meatball Bake with Gnocchi & Spinach
Craft

Cheesy Beef Meatball Bake

with Gnocchi & Spinach

50 MIN
+$3.00/serving 2 Servings
Wellness at Blue Apron
Find recipes that suit your lifestyle with our new nutritionist-approved dietary tags.
Vegetarian
These recipes don’t contain meat, poultry, fish, or seafood.* They’re made with fruits and vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. *Select artisanal cheeses may contain animal-derived rennet.
Carb Conscious
This applies to meal kit recipes with 48g or less of net carbs (total carbs minus dietary fiber) per serving. Carb Conscious Add-ons contain 20g or less net carbs.
Mediterranean Diet
Our Mediterranean recipes are inspired by the Mediterranean Diet, a healthy eating plan recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans published jointly every five years by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). This eating plan highlights the flavors and cooking styles from countries along the Mediterranean Sea, including those in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. These recipes showcase a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, as well as lean proteins and moderate portions of dairy.
600 Calories or Less
These meals contain 600 calories or less per serving. The US Food & Drug Administration uses 2000 calorie daily intake for general advice. The 600 calorie cap equates to 30% of the total 2000 calories per day based on 3 meals per day with 200 calories remaining for snack or beverage.
Wellness Grain
These recipes feature grains such as barley, quinoa, farro, orzo, couscous and more, handpicked by our Culinary team in collaboration with our Registered Dietitian.
Pescatarian
These recipes feature a wide array of nutritious seafood options like salmon, cod, tilapia, crab, and shrimp. While these dishes never contain meat, pork or poultry, they may contain animal derived ingredients such as milk, butter, cheese and/or honey.
30g Of Protein
These meals contain 30g or more of protein per serving, and are ideal for those looking to focus their meals around protein intake.
Keto Friendly
These meals have approximately 10% of calories from carbohydrates, 20% from protein, and 70% from dietary fats (per serving).
45g Of Protein
These meal kit recipes contain 45g or more of protein per serving, and are ideal for those looking to focus their meals around protein intake.
Nutritionist's Pick
These meals are selected by Blue Apron’s Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. They are centered around nutritious and wholesome ingredients, featuring whole grains and fresh produce which provide fiber. They also contain moderate portions of dairy and lean protein while being mindful of saturated fat.
Wheat Free
These meals are prepared with ingredients that do not contain wheat. They feature grains such as barley and rice as well as proteins and vegetables.
Reduced Sodium
These Prepared and Ready dishes contain at least 25% less sodium per 100 grams (or 3.5 oz) than our average Prepared and Ready Meal as of October 1, 2024. Sodium content has been reduced from 330 mg per 100 grams to 250 mg per 100 grams. These dishes focus on ingredients with strong flavor and moderate salt.
Vegan
To view a recipe's full nutrition information, head to your Upcoming page at blueapron.com, click on a specific recipe, then head to the Nutrition tab and select 'View Full Nutrition.' Nutrition Facts Panels are available up to 1.5 weeks in advance

From the Test Kitchen

TECHNIQUE TO HIGHLIGHT
If your oven has a broiler—a section of the oven that provides direct, intense heat—we’ve provided instructions to use it at the very end of baking, allowing the layer of mozzarella (on top of the juicy meatball and pillowy gnocchi bake) to turn deliciously bubbly and golden brown.
CLICK FOR RECIPE CARD
See Plans
  • Nutrition
    PER SERVING
  • Calories
    1270 Cals (est.)
View Full Nutrition
Nutrition Label
Download

Please note nutritional information, including ingredients and allergens, may differ from above based on your location. Location-specific nutritional information is available for viewing upon subscribing, or by logging in if you are already a subscriber.

fresh
ingredients
Cheesy Beef Meatball Bake with Gnocchi & Spinach
Title
  • 12 oz Usda Prime Ground Beef
  • ¾ lb Gnocchi
  • 1 Small Baguette
  • 1 14.5-Oz Can Crushed Tomatoes
  • 3 oz Baby Spinach
  • 2 oz Arugula
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 4 oz Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
  • ¼ cup Panko Breadcrumbs
  • 1 Shallot
  • 1 oz Sliced Roasted Red Peppers
  • 2 Tbsps Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 oz Garlic & Herb Spreadable Butter
  • 1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning (Whole Dried Basil, Sage, Oregano, Savory, Rosemary, Thyme & Marjoram)
  • 1 Persian Cucumbers

Cheesy Beef Meatball Bake

Prepare the ingredients
1 Prepare the ingredients

Remove the spreadable butter from the refrigerator to soften. Arrange two oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 450°F. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Peel and thinly slice the shallot. Peel and roughly chop 2 cloves of garlic. Halve the baguette lengthwise. Halve the cucumber lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise. Roughly chop the peppers.

2 Form & bake the meatballs

In a large bowl, combine the beef, breadcrumbs, and half the Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper. Gently mix until combined. Using your hands, shape the mixture into 10 tightly packed meatballs. Transfer to a large baking dish. Place on the upper oven rack and bake 14 to 16 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.* Leaving the oven on, remove from the oven. Carefully drain off and discard any excess oil from the baking dish. 

*The USDA recommends a minimum safe cooking temperature of 160°F for beef.

Form & bake the meatballs
Cook the gnocchi & make the sauce
3 Cook the gnocchi & make the sauce

Meanwhile, in a large pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the gnocchi; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned and cooked through. Add the sliced shallot, chopped garlic, spinach, and remaining Italian seasoning; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted. Add the tomatoes (carefully, as the liquid may splatter) and 1/4 cup of water. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until the sauce is slightly thickened. Turn off the heat. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired.

4 Assemble the casserole

To the baking dish of baked meatballs, carefully add the cooked gnocchi and sauce. Gently stir to combine. Evenly top with the mozzarella (tearing into small pieces before adding).

Assemble the casserole
Bake the casserole & garlic bread
5 Bake the casserole & garlic bread
  • Line a sheet pan with foil. Place the halved baguette on the foil, cut side up. Evenly spread the softened butter onto the cut sides of the baguette. Place the garlic bread on the lower oven rack and bake 6 to 8 minutes, or until lightly browned. Transfer to a cutting board. Place the casserole on the upper oven rack and bake 7 to 9 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. If desired, turn your oven to the broil function; broil the casserole 2 to 4 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown (watching carefully so it doesn’t burn). Remove from the oven. Let stand at least 2 minutes before serving.
6 Make the salad & serve your dish

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumber, chopped peppers, vinegar, and a drizzle of olive oil. Just before serving, add the arugula; season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Halve the garlic bread crosswise. Serve the baked casserole with the salad and finished garlic bread on the side. Enjoy!

Make the salad & serve your dish
Browse Steps
1 of 6