Description
Comforting Creamy Baked Gnocchi delivers a hearty Italian-inspired casserole packed with rich flavors. Cheese-laden potato dumplings nestle in a velvety sauce, promising a satisfying meal that welcomes diners to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup (100 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) milk
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried Italian seasoning (optional)
- Fresh parsley or basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400F (200C) and grease a baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Gnocchi Cooking: Boil salted water and cook gnocchi until they float to the surface, approximately 2-3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Sauce Foundation: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Whisk in flour to create a golden roux, stirring continuously for one minute.
- Sauce Development: Slowly pour milk and heavy cream into the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens, then incorporate Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Assembly: Coat gnocchi thoroughly with the creamy sauce and transfer to the prepared baking dish. Distribute shredded mozzarella evenly across the top, and sprinkle Italian seasoning if desired.
- Baking: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly. For a golden crust, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Finishing: Remove from oven and let rest briefly. Optionally garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil, then serve while hot.
Notes
- Prevent Gnocchi Sticking: Ensure gnocchi are dry after boiling to avoid clumping and maintain individual texture when mixing with sauce.
- Master Sauce Consistency: Whisk continuously while adding milk and cream to prevent lumps, creating a smooth, velvety base for the dish.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Use freshly grated cheese for better melting and more even distribution, avoiding pre-packaged shredded varieties.
- Broiling Precision: Watch carefully during the final 2-3 minutes to achieve a golden crust without burning, as ovens vary in intensity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 530 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg