Baked Gnocchi Casserole with Bacon
Making good homemade gnocchi is a time-consuming task! Skip the hours of preparation by using the store-bought variety. It works perfectly with our baked gnocchi casserole recipe.
Look for fresh gnocchi in the deli section of your local supermarket. This worldly dish pops up in cultures around the globe but is most associated with Italian cuisine. If you can’t find fresh gnocchi, follow the recipe tips below for dried pasta.
No matter how they’re prepared, they’re a pillowy delight and one of our favorite comfort foods. Kids and adults alike will love this dish.
Baked Gnocchi Casserole Recipe Tips:
+ If you use fresh gnocchi, you do not need to boil it before using it in the casserole. If you’re using dried gnocchi from the pasta aisle, boil it according to package directions and then follow the recipe steps below.
+ If you like a little heat, throw in a few red chili flakes to this delicious. It adds a great kick!
Baked Gnocchi Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
sauce
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 1/4 tsp dry mustard powder
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 cups milk
- 4 oz white cheddar cheese, shredded
gnocchi
- 1 lb broccoli florets
- 4 strips thick-cut bacon, diced
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 24 oz gnocchi, fresh
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Add flour and whisk for 2 minutes to toast the flour. Whisk in the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Cook for 30 seconds more then whisk in the milk. Bring to a boil and turn the heat to low.
- Cook for 5 minutes, remove from heat and add the white cheddar cheese. Stir until smooth, cover and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Fill a large cast iron skillet halfway with water. Bring to a boil and add the broccoli. Cook for 2 minutes, drain, cool and set aside.
- To dry the pan, add the bacon. Sauté until crispy then remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain all but 2 Tbsp of fat from the pan and add 2 Tbsp butter, Pour in gnocchi and sauté until toasted, about 3 minutes.
- Add blanched broccoli and sautéed bacon to skillet and toss lightly to coat. Cover with cheese sauce and toss again. Bake skillet in the oven for 20 minutes or until bubbly. Take skillet to the table but warn people about how hot it is! Ouch!
So good! Made this tonight with several modifications. I used gnocchi from the pasta isle bc that’s what I had on hand. Added some mushrooms, chicken, a pound of bacon, and 6 instead of 4 oz of cheese bc that’s how much cheese I had. Very filling dish.
So if I don’t have fresh gnocchi I’ll still do this the same and not boil the gnocchi..??
Tried this tonight and it was so delicious! Will definitely make again!
Your recipe doesn’t say to boil gnocchi before sauté in frying pan! But your tip suggests gnocchi done when floats to top of pan! I have always boiled gnocchi first before adding to a recipe! Do you boil gnocchi first or not at all in this recipe?