When it comes to comfort food, few dishes can rival the warmth and satisfaction of a Cheesy Gnocchi Bake. This recipe combines soft, pillowy gnocchi with a rich tomato sauce and a generous layer of melted cheese, creating a meal that’s both hearty and indulgent. Perfect for a cosy night in or a family gathering, this bake is sure to become a favourite in your culinary repertoire.
Head over here to see how I make this dish.
Table of Contents:
- Ingredient Breakdown
- Crafting the Perfect Tomato Sauce
- Selecting and Preparing Gnocchi
- Layering the Cheese for Maximum Flavour
- Baking to Cheesy Perfection
- Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Your Cheesy Gnocchi Bake
- Storing and Reheating Leftovers
- Customising Your Cheesy Gnocchi Bake
- Looking for More Gnocchi Recipes?
Ingredient Breakdown
- Gnocchi: Soft potato dumplings that serve as the hearty base of the dish.
- Tomato Passata: Smooth tomato purée providing a rich and robust sauce.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the sauce.
- Garlic: Infuses the dish with aromatic flavour.
- Chilli Flakes: Introduce a subtle heat to balance the richness.
- Fresh Basil: Offers a fragrant, herbal note that complements the tomatoes.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully to create a gooey, cheesy topping.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty contrast to the mozzarella.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Enhances the sauce with fruity richness.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavours.
Crafting the Perfect Tomato Sauce
The foundation of any great Cheesy Gnocchi Bake lies in its tomato sauce. Starting with a base of sautéed onions and garlic, this sauce builds layers of flavour that envelop the gnocchi in a comforting embrace.
Begin by heating extra-virgin olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and cook until they become translucent, releasing their natural sweetness. Next, introduce minced garlic and a pinch of chilli flakes, cooking briefly to release their aromas without allowing the garlic to brown.
Pour in the tomato passata, stirring to combine it with the sautéed aromatics. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer gently, reducing slightly to concentrate the flavours. Just before combining with the gnocchi, stir in torn fresh basil leaves, infusing the sauce with their fragrant oils.
Selecting and Preparing Gnocchi
Gnocchi, those tender potato dumplings, form the heart of this dish. While store-bought gnocchi offer convenience, selecting a high-quality brand ensures a light and fluffy texture. If you’re feeling adventurous, making gnocchi from scratch can be a rewarding endeavour, allowing you to tailor the texture to your preference.
To prepare, cook the gnocchi in boiling salted water until they float to the surface – a sign they’re done. This process is quick, so keep a watchful eye to prevent overcooking, which can lead to a gummy texture. Once cooked, drain the gnocchi and immediately combine them with the prepared tomato sauce, ensuring each dumpling is well-coated.
Layering the Cheese for Maximum Flavour
A Cheesy Gnocchi Bake wouldn’t be complete without its signature golden topping. The key to achieving the perfect melt is combining different cheeses. Here mozzarella and parmesan creates a balance between meltability and flavour.
Mozzarella provides that classic stretchy, melty quality we crave in baked dishes. Opt for fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture, or use shredded mozzarella for convenience. Sprinkling grated parmesan over the mozzarella introduces a sharp, salty note that cuts through the richness, adding depth to each bite.
Baking to Cheesy Perfection
Assemble the dish by spreading the sauced gnocchi evenly in a baking dish. Layer the mozzarella slices or shreds over the top, ensuring full coverage. Sprinkle the grated parmesan evenly to promote a golden crust.
Place the dish in a preheated oven and bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, typically around 20 minutes. For an extra-crispy top, consider switching the oven to grill (broil) for the last few minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Your Cheesy Gnocchi Bake
Once out of the oven, allow the Cheesy Gnocchi Bake to rest for a few minutes before serving. This brief pause helps the sauce thicken slightly and makes serving easier.
This dish is rich and satisfying on its own, but a few simple side dishes can create a well-rounded meal:
- A Crisp Green Salad: A fresh salad with a light vinaigrette balances the richness of the bake.
- Garlic Bread: Perfect for scooping up any leftover sauce.
- Steamed Greens: Broccoli, spinach, or green beans add a nutritious contrast.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, this bake stores well and can make for a convenient meal later in the week. Once cooled, cover the baking dish with foil or transfer the contents to an airtight container and refrigerate. The Cheesy Gnocchi Bake will keep well for up to three days.
To reheat, place the desired portion in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil to prevent the cheese from over-browning, and warm in a preheated oven until heated through. Alternatively, microwave individual servings, though this method may result in a softer texture.
Customising Your Cheesy Gnocchi Bake
One of the best things about this Cheesy Gnocchi Bake is how easily it adapts to different tastes and dietary preferences. Whether you want to add more protein, sneak in extra vegetables, or experiment with different cheeses, this dish can be tailored in countless ways.
- For a heartier version, try adding cooked Italian sausage, pancetta, or shredded rotisserie chicken. These additions bring extra savoury depth and make the dish even more satisfying.
- If you prefer a vegetarian take, stir in sautéed mushrooms, roasted peppers, or spinach before baking. These vegetables not only enhance the flavour but also add texture and colour.
- Cheese lovers can get creative by mixing in varieties like gouda, fontina, or even a touch of blue cheese for a bold, tangy twist.
- If you enjoy a crispy topping, sprinkle over some panko breadcrumbs before baking. This will give the dish a golden, crunchy contrast against the soft gnocchi and creamy sauce.
- For those who like an extra kick, increase the chilli flakes or drizzle a little hot honey over the top before serving.
However you choose to customise it, this recipe is a perfect base for experimenting with new flavours while keeping the same comforting, cheesy appeal.
Looking for More Gnocchi Recipes?
If you’ve enjoyed the gnocchi in this Cheesy Gnocchi Bake, here are some more gnocchi-based recipes for you to try:
- Creamy Tomato Sausage Gnocchi: You can’t go wrong with gnocchi, sausage, parmesan and a creamy tomato sauce, it’s the epitome of comfort food.
- Tomato and Red Pepper Gnocchi: Pillowy gnocchi with a chunky, rustic tomato and sweet red pepper sauce bursting with flavour.
Cheesy Gnocchi Bake
This rich, indulgent gnocchi number is comfort food at its finest. It starts with a simple homemade béchamel, which is loaded with lots and lots of cheese. Add gnocchi, bake to golden brown perfection and you’ve got yourself a belter of a meal. I used leftovers from my Christmas cheese board to make this. So, if you’re making a cheese board this festive season, don’t be afraid to make too much. You’ll be able to turn your leftovers into something truly delicious.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
- 850ml whole milk
- 50g unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 250g cheeses of choice, cut into small pieces
- pinch of ground nutmeg
- 850g fresh gnocchi (refrigerated, not storecupboard)
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 200°C.
- Gently bring the milk to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once it begins to bubble, remove the saucepan from the heat and transfer the hot milk to a heatproof jug (it facilitates pouring).
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 3 mins, whisking continuously.
- Quickly but carefully whisk in the hot milk and increase the heat to medium-high. Bring the béchamel to a simmer, whisking often. It will quickly begin to thicken. Once it barely starts bubbling—a few small bubbles coming up to the surface—reduce the heat to low and cook, whisking often, until thick and velvety-smooth, around 2 mins.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the cheese and nutmeg. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Gently fold in the gnocchi then transfer everything to a baking dish.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbling and golden brown, then serve and enjoy!
