Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce is a comforting, hearty dinner ready in 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to a perfectly creamy sauce. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy No Bake S’mores Pudding Cups Recipe and Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon.
Why This Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy cheese sauce that's rich and indulgent
- Crispy golden gnocchi on top
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping
What You'll Need for Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb gnocchi
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Breadcrumbs
- Optional: Additional cheese for topping
📝 Ingredient Notes
- gnocchi: Potato or cauliflower gnocchi work well
- broccoli: You can substitute with frozen broccoli
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- High-quality chef's knife — Makes prep work faster and safer → See on Amazon
- Non-stick baking dish — Ensures even cooking and easy cleanup → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
- Cook gnocchi: Boil gnocchi according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook broccoli: Steam or microwave broccoli until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce: In a saucepan, heat heavy cream, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper until simmering. Add shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Assemble and bake: In a baking dish, combine cooked gnocchi, broccoli, and cheese sauce. Top with additional cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the gnocchi. They can become mushy. Cook until just tender.
- Pro tip: For a richer sauce, add 1/2 cup of milk to the cheese sauce.
- Pro tip: To make it spicy, add red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce.
Storing & Reheating Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Freezing Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with milk and use less cheese.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the gnocchi with pasta or potatoes.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and reheated as needed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese sauce is too thick, add a little more milk to thin it out.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality baking dish — Ensures even cooking and prevents hot spots → Check price on Amazon
Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb gnocchi
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
Seasonings
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Breadcrumbs
- Additional cheese for topping
Instructions
- Cook gnocchi: Boil gnocchi according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook broccoli: Steam or microwave broccoli until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce: In a saucepan, heat heavy cream, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper until simmering. Add shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Assemble and bake: In a baking dish, combine cooked gnocchi, broccoli, and cheese sauce. Top with additional cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with milk and use less cheese.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the gnocchi with pasta or potatoes.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and reheated as needed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese sauce is too thick, add a little more milk to thin it out.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 480
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 47g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 85mg
- Sat. Fat: 15g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce FAQs
Yes, you can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Overcooking can make gnocchi mushy. Cook until just tender.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
While you can cook the gnocchi in the air fryer, the broccoli and cheese sauce are best cooked on the stove or in the oven.
You can substitute the gnocchi with pasta or potatoes.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
