Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce is the ultimate comforting dinner ready in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly creamy, never watery sauce. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Baked Chickpea Patties with Fresh Herbs and Easy Egg Roll in a Bowl with Ground Turkey and Cabbage.
Why This Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy, never watery cheese sauce
- Better than takeout flavor at home
- Easy, one-pan cooking for busy weeknights
- Kid-friendly, family-pleasing dinner
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
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Fresh basil, chopped
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- gnocchi: Use store-bought or homemade.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy → See on Amazon
- Box grater — Makes quick work of grating cheese → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
- Cook gnocchi and broccoli: Boil gnocchi and broccoli together until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce: Melt butter, add flour, then whisk in milk until thickened. Stir in cheeses until melted and smooth.
- Assemble and bake: Combine gnocchi, broccoli, and cheese sauce. Transfer to a baking dish, top with remaining cheese, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the gnocchi and broccoli to prevent them from becoming mushy. They'll continue to cook in the oven.
- Pro tip: For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Pro tip: Add cooked chicken or sausage for a heartier 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 for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the casserole up to 1 day ahead, then bake before serving.
Freezing Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, then crisp under the broiler.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free gnocchi.
- Best substitution: Substitute spinach for broccoli.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the casserole up to 1 day ahead, then bake before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese sauce is too thick, thin it out with a bit more milk.
Want to level up this recipe?
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Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb gnocchi
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Seasonings
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook gnocchi and broccoli: Boil gnocchi and broccoli together until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce: Melt butter, add flour, then whisk in milk until thickened. Stir in cheeses until melted and smooth.
- Assemble and bake: Combine gnocchi, broccoli, and cheese sauce. Transfer to a baking dish, top with remaining cheese, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free gnocchi.
- Best substitution: Substitute spinach for broccoli.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the casserole up to 1 day ahead, then bake before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese sauce is too thick, thin it out with a bit more milk.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, then crisp under the broiler.
- Make ahead: Prepare the casserole up to 1 day ahead, then bake before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sat. Fat: 10g
Easy Gnocchi Broccoli Bake with Creamy Cheese Sauce FAQs
Yes, prepare the casserole up to 1 day ahead, then bake before serving.
Overcooking can make the dish dry. Be sure not to overcook the gnocchi and broccoli before baking.
Yes, freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
No, this recipe is best made in the oven.
Spinach is a great substitute for broccoli in this recipe.
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!
