Description
This Tasty Baked Gnocchi Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish featuring tender gnocchi baked in a rich cheese sauce made with gruyère, fontina, and parmesan. Perfectly golden and bubbly from the oven, this recipe combines the pillowy texture of gnocchi with classic mac and cheese flavors for a delightful twist on a beloved favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Gnocchi
- 1 pound gnocchi (packaged or homemade)
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
- 3/4 cup full-fat milk
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup grated gruyère cheese
- 1/4 cup grated fontina cheese
- Salt and white pepper to taste
Topping
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the gnocchi mac and cheese to a bubbly, golden finish.
- Cook the gnocchi: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook for about 2-3 minutes until they float to the surface. Drain the gnocchi and set them aside to prepare the cheese sauce.
- Make the cheese sauce base: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in flour to create a roux, then gradually whisk in the full-fat milk to prevent lumps, cooking until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add flavor and cheeses: Stir the dijon mustard into the sauce, then season with salt and white pepper. Add the grated gruyère and fontina cheeses, stirring continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combine gnocchi and sauce: Toss the cooked gnocchi into the cheese sauce, ensuring each piece is well coated with the creamy mixture for maximum flavor.
- Assemble and bake: Transfer the gnocchi coated in cheese sauce into a nonstick baking dish. Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the dish for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- You can substitute full-fat milk with half-and-half for an even creamier sauce.
- This dish can be prepared in advance and baked just before serving.
- Adding some fresh herbs such as thyme or parsley on top before serving adds a fresh flavor and color contrast.
- Make sure not to overcook the gnocchi before baking to prevent them from becoming mushy.
