I’ve only cooked gnocchi (little potato dumplings) a few times, and always topped them with a simple marinara sauce. They were good, but tonight’s Baked Four Cheese Gnocchi w/Broccoli were pretty amazing! A food blogger friend of mine wanted needed a few more recipes for a round-up post that she was doing, so I thought I’d cook some up. I knew I needed something a bit more than a simple red sauce and wasn’t quite ready to attempt to make them homemade, so I decided on a “grown up mac & cheese type gnocchi.” And, I’m sure glad I did! Just imagine soft little potatoes dumplings and tender fresh broccoli, baked in a creamy four cheese sauce. It’s gets a little better when you top it with a sprinkling of bread crumbs and more parmesan before baking.
I wish I could take credit for making homemade gnocchi, but honestly, it felt a little too time consuming. I went with a packaged gnocchi and they were delicious! To elevate the flavor from just a simple “mac & cheese” sauce, I used four cheeses (cheddar, gruyere, fontina, and parmesan), added fresh garlic, and fresh broccoli. Enjoy this Baked Four Cheese Gnocchi as a main course with a simple salad or as a delicious side dish.
If you’re a fan of a good mac & cheese, you need to give this Baked Four Cheese Gnocchi w/Broccoli a try!! Don’t forget to pin this recipe 🙂
- 2 lbs Gnocchi (sotre bought or homemade)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 6 TBSP butter
- 3 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 3½ TBSP flour
- 2½ cups milk (I used 2%)
- ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- ½ tsp fresh cracked pepper
- ¾ cup gruyere cheese (grated)
- ¾ cup fontina cheese (grated)
- 1½ cup med sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
- 1½ cup parmesan cheese (reserve 1 cup for sprinkling on top)
- 2-3 TBSP Italian bread crumbs
- Preheat oven to 400*
- Cook gnocchi according to package directions. Drain. Set aside.
- Steam broccoli florets until just al-dente. Drain and set aside.
- In medium sauce pan, melt butter over low heat. Add crushed garlic and cook for a couple minutes.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 3 minutes, whisking consistently.
- Raise heat to med. Whisk in milk, nutmeg, and pepper. Bring to a boil, whisking regularly.
- Once milk is at a low boil, reduce heat to simmer and whisk in cheeses (add about ⅓ at a time until melted).
- Place cooked gnocchi in glass baking dish (9x13).
- Pour cheese sauce over gnocchi (I had a little sauce left over as my dish was a little smaller. Use as much as you can. It will seem very saucy, but will thicken after baking).
- Nestled cooked broccoli into gnocchi.
- Top with remaining parmesan and bread crumbs.
- Bake for approx 20 minutes or until hot, bubbly, and light golden brown.
You can find this and many more delicious recipes over at Christy Jordan’s Southern Plate!
You can never have too many simple dinner recipes, here’s a few more you might enjoy!
Cacio e Pepe 
Caprese Avocado Pesto Pasta 
Turkey Chili Spaghetti 
Chelsea says
December 15, 2015 at 2:20 pmHow much gnochhi did you use? It just says “2 #’s Gnocchi”
Renee says
December 15, 2015 at 2:25 pmI apologize if that wasn’t clear. I used 2- 1 pound containers of store bought gnocchi.
Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories says
February 6, 2016 at 9:23 pmThis looks amazing. I’ve never made gnocchi before, store bought or homemade. What brand did you use? Sounds delicious!
Tina Marie says
February 16, 2016 at 5:03 pmHow amazingly creamy your pictures look! I bet the taste is way better (if that is even and expression, if not, then it is now)!
Whitney says
February 21, 2016 at 3:13 pmThis recipe looks so indulgent and comforting! I just LOVE gnocchi and especially if its covered in cheese!! To die for! I’ll have to try a cheese sauce next time I make (or buy) gnocchi — looks ridiculously good (And you can’t go wrong with a cheese sauce! ha)
Diane says
February 21, 2016 at 9:52 pmSo cheesy and creamy. I’ve never made this. Looks like excellent comfort food!
Rosemary says
February 21, 2016 at 11:54 pmLooks amazing Renee, we all love gnocchi, can’t wait to make it.
Maurie says
March 27, 2017 at 11:01 amDo I cover this with foil when I bake it?
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
April 19, 2017 at 10:42 pmLooks wonderfully flavorful! I love broccoli.
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons says
April 20, 2017 at 8:00 amGnocchi is my favorite!