Ingredients:

Nonstick cooking spray

1 16 ounce package shelf-stable potato gnocchi

1 ½ cup light or no-sugar-added tomato-base pasta sauce

12 ounce extra-lean ground beef

¼ cup finely chopped onion

1 small egg, lightly beaten, or 2 tablespoons refrigerated or frozen egg product, thawed

2 tablespoon fine dry whole wheat bread crumbs

½ teaspoon dried oregano, crushed

½ teaspoon dried basil, crushed

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed ( or none)

2 teaspoon olive oil

8 ounce fresh mushrooms, sliced

1 medium green sweet pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into bite-size strips

½ cup thinly sliced onion

2 teaspoon olive oil

½ cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (2 ounces)

Directions:

Step 1 Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 2-quart rectangular baking dish with cooking spray; set aside. Cookgnocchi according to package directions. Drain. Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in pasta sauce; set aside.

Step 2 Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine ground beef, the chopped onion, egg, bread crumbs, oregano, basil,garlic powder, and fennel seeds. Shape meat mixture into 24 balls.

Step 3 In a large skillet heat 2 teaspoons olive oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms, sweet pepper, and thesliced onion; cook about 7 minutes or until tender. Add vegetables to bowl with gnocchi.

Step 4 In the same large skillet heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium heat. Cook meatballs, half at a time, about 6minutes or until cooked through (160°F), turning occasionally. Transfer meatballs to bowl with gnocchi andvegetables. Stir gently to combine.

Step 5 Pour gnocchi mixture into prepared baking dish. Cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle cheese ontop. Bake, uncovered, about 10 minutes more or until cheese is melted and golden brown.

To Make Ahead:

Prepare as directed through Step 4. Pour gnocchi mixture into prepared baking dish. Cover with foil. Chillfor 4 to 24 hours. To serve, preheat oven to 350°F. Bake, covered, for 45 minutes; stir. Sprinkle cheese ontop. Bake, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes more or until cheese is melted and golden brown.

Nutritional Information: