Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce is the ultimate comfort food, ready in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the secret to a perfectly creamy, not watery, sauce. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Lemon Herb White Bean Dip Recipe and Easy Korean Gochujang Butter Salmon Rice Bowl Recipe.
Why This Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy, dreamy cheese sauce
- Crispy, golden cheese crust
- Easy, one-pan dinner
- Better than takeout
What You'll Need for Easy Gnocchi 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.
- 2 cups gnocchi
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- gnocchi: Potato or cauliflower gnocchi work great.
- broccoli: You can substitute with cauliflower or spinach.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set — Perfect for tossing gnocchi and broccoli in cheese sauce. → See on Amazon
- Silicone Baking Mat — Prevents gnocchi from sticking to the pan and helps achieve a golden crust. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Gnocchi 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 large pan, heat heavy cream, garlic, and thyme over medium heat. Stir in cheeses until melted and smooth.
- Combine ingredients: Toss gnocchi and broccoli in cheese sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake: Transfer mixture to a baking dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
- : For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream.
- Common mistake and fix: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a bit of milk. If it's too thin, simmer it longer to reduce.
- : For a spicy kick, add diced jalapeños to the pan with the garlic.
- : To make ahead, prepare the dish but don't bake. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Bake as directed when ready to serve.
Storing & Reheating Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the entire dish ahead of time, but wait to bake until ready to serve.
Freezing Easy Gnocchi 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 (180°C) for 15-20 minutes, until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use whole wheat gnocchi and add some spinach to the broccoli.
- Best substitution: If you don't have heavy cream, you can use a combination of milk and flour to make a roux for the cheese sauce.
- Make-ahead: You can make the cheese sauce up to 2 days ahead and store it in the fridge. Reheat gently before combining with gnocchi and broccoli.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your gnocchi are sticking to the pan, try using a non-stick pan or adding a bit of oil to the pan before cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality chef's knife — Makes quick work of mincing garlic and chopping broccoli, ensuring even cooking and perfect textures. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups gnocchi
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Crushed red pepper flakes
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 large pan, heat heavy cream, garlic, and thyme over medium heat. Stir in cheeses until melted and smooth.
- Combine ingredients: Toss gnocchi and broccoli in cheese sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake: Transfer mixture to a baking dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use whole wheat gnocchi and add some spinach to the broccoli.
- Best substitution: If you don't have heavy cream, you can use a combination of milk and flour to make a roux for the cheese sauce.
- Make-ahead: You can make the cheese sauce up to 2 days ahead and store it in the fridge. Reheat gently before combining with gnocchi and broccoli.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your gnocchi are sticking to the pan, try using a non-stick pan or adding a bit of oil to the pan before cooking.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container 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 (180°C) for 15-20 minutes, until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the entire dish ahead of time, but wait to bake until ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sat. Fat: 15g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the entire dish ahead of time, but wait to bake until ready to serve. Bake as directed when ready to serve.
If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a bit of milk. If it's too thin, simmer it longer to reduce.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Transfer the mixture to an air fryer-safe dish. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
Gnocchi broccoli bake is a simpler, quicker dish with fewer layers. Lasagna has more layers and typically takes longer to prepare and bake.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Gnocchi 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!
