Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce is the ultimate comfort food. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the secret to the creamiest sauce and perfectly tender gnocchi. The melty, bubbly cheese on top makes this dish irresistible. Try it with my Crispy Keto Zucchini Parmesan Fritters for a complete meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Keto Zucchini Parmesan Fritters with Sour Cream Dip and Easy Crockpot Lasagna Recipe for Simple Weeknight Dinners.
Why This Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- The creamiest cheese sauce you've ever tasted.
- Perfectly tender gnocchi every time.
- Easy cleanup with just one pan.
- Better than takeout and freezer-friendly.
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
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- gnocchi: Use store-bought or homemade.
- broccoli: Fresh or frozen works well.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- High-quality non-stick skillet — Prevents gnocchi from sticking and ensures even cooking. → See on Amazon
- Box grater — Makes quick work of grating cheese for a smooth, creamy sauce. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
- Cook gnocchi: Boil gnocchi according to package instructions until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Cook broccoli: Steam or microwave broccoli until tender-crisp. Drain and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce: In a large skillet, whisk together heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
- Combine and bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine cooked gnocchi, cooked broccoli, and cheese sauce. Mix well. Top with additional shredded cheese if desired. Bake 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. To prevent this, cook them just until they float to the surface of the water.
- Time-saving tip: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Just add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
- Nutrition tip: For a lighter version, use low-fat milk and less cheese.
- Variation tip: Add cooked chicken or spinach to make this a complete meal.
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 in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Just add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Freezing Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge 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 an extra layer of flavor, sauté the broccoli in a bit of garlic and olive oil before adding it to the casserole.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the broccoli with cauliflower or a mix of both.
- 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 cheese sauce is too thick, add a bit more milk to thin it out. If it's too thin, cook it a bit longer to reduce it.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality baking dish — Even heat distribution ensures perfect cooking and prevents hot spots. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb gnocchi
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon 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 until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Cook broccoli: Steam or microwave broccoli until tender-crisp. Drain and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce: In a large skillet, whisk together heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
- Combine and bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine cooked gnocchi, cooked broccoli, and cheese sauce. Mix well. Top with additional shredded cheese if desired. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
Notes
- Chef tip: For an extra layer of flavor, sauté the broccoli in a bit of garlic and olive oil before adding it to the casserole.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the broccoli with cauliflower or a mix of both.
- 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 cheese sauce is too thick, add a bit more milk to thin it out. If it's too thin, cook it a bit longer to reduce it.
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 overnight in the fridge 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 ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Just add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 470
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 26g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sat. Fat: 15g
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 casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Just add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
This could be due to overcooking the gnocchi or not using enough cheese sauce. To prevent this, cook the gnocchi just until they float to the surface of the water and ensure you have enough sauce to coat the gnocchi and broccoli.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
While you can cook the gnocchi and broccoli in the air fryer, this recipe is best made in the oven for the creamiest results.
You can substitute the gnocchi with small pasta shapes like orzo or fusilli.
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!
