Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce is a comforting, cheesy dinner ready in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping the gnocchi from getting soggy. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Fresh Italian Pasta Salad with Mozzarella and Veggies and Classic Homemade Green Bean Casserole Recipe for Dinner.
Why This Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy cheese sauce that's better than takeout
- Crispy gnocchi on top for the perfect texture
- One-pan meal with minimal cleanup
- Customizable with your favorite add-ins
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.
- 1 lb gnocchi
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Breadcrumbs
- Optional: Extra cheese
- Optional: Fresh parsley
📝 Ingredient Notes
- gnocchi: Use store-bought or homemade. Potato or sweet potato gnocchi both work.
- broccoli: Fresh or frozen broccoli can be used.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents gnocchi from sticking → See on Amazon
- Baking dish — Even baking for perfect results → 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 excess water.
- Prepare cheese sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan. Add flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in milk, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and add cheeses. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Assemble casserole: In a baking dish, layer gnocchi, broccoli, and cheese sauce. Top with remaining cheese and breadcrumbs (if using).
- Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
- : To prevent gnocchi from getting soggy, don't overcook them and make sure they're not sitting in too much liquid.
- Common mistake and fix: If your cheese sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk to reach your desired consistency.
- : For a healthier version, use part-skim mozzarella and reduce the amount of cheese.
- : To make this ahead, assemble the casserole but don't bake. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed.
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: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead. Bake as directed.
Freezing Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating.
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, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute spinach or cauliflower for the broccoli.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead instructions.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the top isn't browning, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Box grater — Makes quick work of grating cheese for the sauce → Check price on Amazon
Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb gnocchi
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 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
Optional Toppings
- Breadcrumbs
- Extra cheese
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook gnocchi: Boil gnocchi according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook broccoli: Steam or microwave broccoli until tender. Drain excess water.
- Prepare cheese sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan. Add flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in milk, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and add cheeses. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Assemble casserole: In a baking dish, layer gnocchi, broccoli, and cheese sauce. Top with remaining cheese and breadcrumbs (if using).
- Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute spinach or cauliflower for the broccoli.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead instructions.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the top isn't browning, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating.
- 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, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead. Bake as directed.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 470
- Protein: 21g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce FAQs
Yes, assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead. Bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed.
Add a splash of milk to reach your desired consistency. If it's still too thick, try adding a bit more milk when cooking the roux.
Don't overcook the gnocchi and make sure they're not sitting in too much liquid. To prevent this, you can also add them to the casserole after baking the broccoli and cheese sauce.
Yes, frozen broccoli can be used. Steam or microwave until tender, then drain excess water before adding to the casserole.
This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd. Bake in a larger dish or multiple dishes as needed.
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!
