Description
A rich and comforting creamy cheesy gnocchi bake perfect for a cozy night in. This dish combines tender gnocchi with a luscious cheese sauce, fresh spinach, and a crunchy panko topping, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound Gnocchi (Store-bought, cooked according to package instructions)
- 2 cups Heavy Cream (For creaminess)
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese (Shredded sharp cheddar)
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese (Grated for flavor depth)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Minced for flavor)
- 2 cups Spinach (Fresh, adds nutrition)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black Pepper (Freshly ground)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (For sautéing)
- 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs (For a crunchy topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the dish later.
- Cook Gnocchi: Cook the gnocchi according to the package instructions, typically boiling until they float, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook Spinach: Add fresh spinach to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until wilted, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Mix Cheese Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine heavy cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Season Sauce: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to the cheese mixture to taste, adjusting seasoning as preferred.
- Combine Gnocchi and Spinach: Remove the skillet from heat, add the cooked gnocchi to the spinach and garlic mixture, gently folding to combine evenly.
- Add Cheese Mixture: Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the gnocchi and spinach in the skillet, mixing until everything is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread the gnocchi mixture evenly inside.
- Add Panko Topping: Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the gnocchi mixture to create a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.
- Rest: Remove from oven and let the gnocchi bake sit for 5-10 minutes to set before serving.
- Serve: Serve warm, optionally garnished with extra cheese or fresh herbs for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen spinach; if frozen, thaw and drain excess water before adding.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, although the dish will be less rich.
- Panko breadcrumbs can be replaced with regular breadcrumbs or crushed crackers if preferred.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg to the cheese sauce for a subtle warm flavor twist.
- Use gluten-free gnocchi and breadcrumbs for a gluten-free adaptation.
