Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
This creamy, cheesy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake is the ultimate comfort food. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the secret to a perfectly creamy sauce and tender gnocchi. The crispy, golden cheese crust is irresistible. Try it with my Quick Zucchini Noodles with Pesto and Grilled Shrimp for a complete meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Quick Zucchini Noodles with Pesto and Grilled Shrimp and Easy Korean BBQ Meatball Rice Bowls.
Why This Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy, cheesy sauce that's better than takeout
- Easy, one-pan cooking for busy weeknights
- Crispy, golden cheese crust that's irresistible
- Perfect for meal prepping and freezing
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
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Optional: Additional shredded cheese, for topping
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
📝 Ingredient Notes
- gnocchi: Use potato or cauliflower gnocchi for a lighter version.
- broccoli: You can also use frozen broccoli florets.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Cooks gnocchi and broccoli perfectly tender in minutes. → See on Amazon
- Box grater — Makes quick work of grating cheese for the creamy sauce. → 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.
- Prepare broccoli: Steam or microwave broccoli florets until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan. Add flour and whisk until smooth. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly. Add garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook until sauce thickens. Stir in cheeses until melted and smooth.
- Assemble casserole: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine cooked gnocchi, broccoli, and cheese sauce. Mix well. Top with additional cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly, and top is golden and crispy.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
- : For a lighter version, use low-fat milk and reduced-fat cheese.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the gnocchi. They can become mushy. Make sure to drain them well before adding to the casserole.
- : For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce.
- : To make ahead, assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate. Bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed.
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 4 days. Make-ahead tip: You can assemble the casserole up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to bake.
Freezing Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a creamy, lump-free sauce, make sure to whisk constantly while adding milk.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the broccoli with cauliflower or spinach.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add a little more milk. If it's too thin, cook it a little longer to reduce.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality baking dish — Ensures even cooking and a crispy cheese crust. Pays for itself vs takeout. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb gnocchi
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Optional Toppings
- Additional shredded cheese, for topping
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook gnocchi: Boil gnocchi according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare broccoli: Steam or microwave broccoli florets until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan. Add flour and whisk until smooth. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly. Add garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook until sauce thickens. Stir in cheeses until melted and smooth.
- Assemble casserole: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine cooked gnocchi, broccoli, and cheese sauce. Mix well. Top with additional cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly, and top is golden and crispy.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a creamy, lump-free sauce, make sure to whisk constantly while adding milk.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the broccoli with cauliflower or spinach.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add a little more milk. If it's too thin, cook it a little longer to reduce.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can assemble the casserole up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to bake.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- 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 assemble the casserole up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to bake. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if needed.
Overcooking the gnocchi can cause them to become mushy. Make sure to drain them well before adding to the casserole.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
While you can't bake this in the air fryer, you can cook the gnocchi and broccoli separately in the air fryer before assembling the casserole.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. This helps maintain the crispy cheese crust.
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!
