Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce is a comforting, quick dinner idea that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly creamy gnocchi every time. The golden, bubbly cheese topping will make your kitchen smell cozy and inviting. Try it with my Authentic Pot Birria Tacos for a complete meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Authentic Pot Birria Tacos Recipe for Easy Dinner and Easy Apple Butternut Squash Casserole Recipe for Fall Dinner.
Why This Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy, indulgent cheese sauce
- Quick and easy weeknight dinner
- Better than takeout taste at home
- Customizable with your favorite veggies
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 heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- gnocchi: You can use homemade or store-bought gnocchi.
- broccoli: You can substitute with cauliflower or your favorite veggies.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- High-quality non-stick skillet — Even cooking and easy cleanup → See on Amazon
- Box grater — Quick and easy cheese grating → 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, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano until warm. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Assemble casserole: In a baking dish, combine cooked gnocchi, cooked broccoli, and cheese sauce. Mix well to combine. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
- : For an extra layer of flavor, sauté the broccoli in garlic and olive oil before adding to the casserole.
- Common mistake and fix: If your cheese sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk to thin it out. If it's too thin, simmer it longer to reduce.
- : To make this dish ahead, prepare the casserole and refrigerate. Bake as directed when ready to serve.
- : For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce or as a topping.
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 for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Freezing Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat in the oven.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use low-fat milk and part-skim mozzarella cheese.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the heavy cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the top of your casserole is browning too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality baking dish — Even heat distribution for perfectly cooked casseroles → 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 heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- 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 saucepan, heat heavy cream, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano until warm. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Assemble casserole: In a baking dish, combine cooked gnocchi, cooked broccoli, and cheese sauce. Mix well to combine. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use low-fat milk and part-skim mozzarella cheese.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the heavy cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Make-ahead: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the top of your casserole is browning too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat in the oven.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 480
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- 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 until ready to bake. Bake as directed when ready to serve.
If your cheese sauce is lumpy, it's likely because the cheese isn't fully melted. Stir it longer over low heat until smooth. If it's still lumpy, strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve.
While you can't bake the casserole in the air fryer, you can cook the gnocchi and broccoli separately in the air fryer before assembling the casserole.
The best way to reheat this casserole is in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. This will help maintain the texture and prevent it from drying out.
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli in this recipe. Thaw it first and make sure to drain any excess water before using.
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!
