Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce – A comforting, hearty dinner ready in 30 minutes. Better than takeout! Crispy, cheesy top with tender gnocchi and broccoli in a creamy sauce. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to preventing soggy gnocchi. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Creamed Spinach and Artichokes Recipe for Dinner and Easy Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon and Paprika.
Why This Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy, golden cheese top
- Tender gnocchi and broccoli
- Rich, creamy cheese sauce
- Better than takeout taste
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 (16 oz) package potato gnocchi
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Gnocchi: Make sure to use store-bought gnocchi, not gnocchi alla romana.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents gnocchi from sticking → See on Amazon
- Box grater — Makes shredding cheese quick and easy → 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: Melt butter in a saucepan. Add flour and whisk until smooth. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Cook until thickened. Stir in cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble casserole: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Combine gnocchi, broccoli, and cheese sauce in a baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly, and top is golden.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking gnocchi to prevent them from becoming mushy. Drain and rinse them after cooking to remove excess starch.
- Time-saving tip: Prepare the cheese sauce while the gnocchi and broccoli are cooking to save time.
- Nutritional boost: Add spinach or kale to the broccoli for extra nutrients.
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 in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Assemble the casserole ahead of time, but wait to add the final cheese topping until ready to bake.
Freezing Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce.
- Make-ahead: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese sauce is too thick, add a little more milk to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
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 (16 oz) package potato gnocchi
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- 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: Melt butter in a saucepan. Add flour and whisk until smooth. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Cook until thickened. Stir in cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble casserole: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Combine gnocchi, broccoli, and cheese sauce in a baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly, and top is golden.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce.
- Make-ahead: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese sauce is too thick, add a little more milk to reach your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: Assemble the casserole ahead of time, but wait to add the final cheese topping until ready to bake.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sat. Fat: 11g
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 use frozen broccoli. Thaw it first and squeeze out excess water before using.
Overcooking is the most common reason for mushy gnocchi. Drain and rinse them after cooking to prevent this.
While you can't bake the casserole in the air fryer, you can cook the gnocchi and broccoli separately, then combine and top with cheese for a crispy finish.
You can substitute gnocchi with potato or sweet potato mash, or even cooked pasta.
Yes, you can assemble the casserole ahead of time, but wait to add the final cheese topping until ready to bake.
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!
