Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
This Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake is the ultimate comfort food. After making it dozens of times, I’ve perfected the creamy cheese sauce that makes this dish irresistible. The trick I discovered is to cook the broccoli separately to prevent it from becoming soggy. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Meal Prep Steak and Arugula Salad for Dinner and Easy Mediterranean Grilled Halloumi Skewers with Herb Sauce.
Why This Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy, cheesy sauce that's better than takeout
- Easy to make with just a few ingredients
- Perfect for busy weeknights and meal prep
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
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- Optional: Breadcrumbs
- Optional: Extra cheese
- Optional: Fresh parsley
📝 Ingredient Notes
- gnocchi: You can use homemade or store-bought gnocchi.
- broccoli: Fresh or frozen broccoli works well in this recipe.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Saves time and effort in chopping broccoli → See on Amazon
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents gnocchi from sticking and burning → 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 and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce: In a saucepan, combine heavy cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and thyme. Heat over medium heat until bubbly. Stir in cheese until melted and smooth.
- Assemble and bake: In a baking dish, combine gnocchi, broccoli, and cheese sauce. Top with optional toppings. 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
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the gnocchi. They can become mushy and absorb too much liquid.
- Pro tip: For a healthier version, use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream.
- Pro tip: To make this dish ahead, prepare the gnocchi and broccoli, then assemble and refrigerate. Bake before serving.
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: You can assemble this dish ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Freezing Easy Gnocchi 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 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the broccoli with cauliflower or spinach.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated when needed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese sauce is too thick, add a little more milk to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality baking dish — Even heat distribution for perfectly cooked gnocchi broccoli bake → Check price on Amazon
Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb gnocchi
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
Seasonings
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
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 and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce: In a saucepan, combine heavy cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and thyme. Heat over medium heat until bubbly. Stir in cheese until melted and smooth.
- Assemble and bake: In a baking dish, combine gnocchi, broccoli, and cheese sauce. Top with optional toppings. 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: You can substitute the broccoli with cauliflower or spinach.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated when needed.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- 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 for up to 4 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 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: You can assemble this dish ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 580
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 32g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sat. Fat: 20g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce FAQs
Yes, you can assemble the dish ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake. However, it's best to add the optional toppings just before baking.
This could be due to overcooking or not using enough cheese sauce. Make sure to keep an eye on the cooking time and use enough sauce to keep the dish moist.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
While you can cook the gnocchi and broccoli separately in the air fryer, this dish is best baked in the oven to ensure even cooking and a bubbly cheese sauce.
Greek yogurt or sour cream can be used as a healthier substitute for heavy cream. However, the texture and taste may vary slightly.
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!
