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    Home » Recipes » Main Dish Recipes

    Cheesy Baked Broccoli Gnocchi

    Published: Oct 4, 2022 · Modified: Feb 2, 2023 by Kathleen Hansen · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Cheesy Baked Broccoli Gnocchi is a comforting one-pan dinner! Creamy, cheesy, bubbly and comes together in about 30 minutes. Vegetarian friendly comfort food. Use your cast iron skillet for this easy gnocchi recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Why I Love It:
    • Ingredients
    • Step by Step Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Equipment Needed:
    • Leftovers and Make Ahead
    • Variations
    • Tip - How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet
    • Other gnocchi recipes:
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    Why I Love It:

    • Cheesy - The homemade cheese sauce is simple to make but really makes the dish!
    • Kid-Friendly Veggie Recipe - Have trouble getting kids to eat their veggies? This baked gnocchi with broccoli is the recipe to try!
    • One-Pan Recipe - The entire recipe can be made in one oven-safe skillet for easy clean up! For another easy skillet recipe, try this Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Skillet.

    Ingredients

    • Gnocchi - also try this creamy sausage gnocchi soup!
    • Broccoli Florets
    • Chicken or Vegetable Broth or Stock
    • Cream Cheese
    • Shredded Mozzarella Cheese - you could substitute a different shredded cheese, but you'll want one that melts well.
    • Spices: Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Red Pepper Flakes, Salt and Pepper
    Recipe ingredients in bowls - broccoli florets, store-bought gnocchi, cream cheese, and shredded cheese

    Step by Step Instructions

    This broccoli gnocchi bake is an easy one-pan recipe that is ready in ~30 minutes. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner that adults and kids will love!

    1. Prep - Start by preheating your oven.
    2. Pre-Cook Broccoli and Gnocchi - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and simmer the gnocchi and broccoli for 3 minutes then set aside.
    3. Make Cheese Sauce. Heat a large, ovenproof skillet with the broth over medium-high. Bring the broth to a simmer then stir in the cream cheese. Add ½ of the mozzarella and the spices. Stir until smooth.
    4. Add Broccoli and Gnocchi. Add the broccoli and gnocchi to the cheese sauce. Folding gently to combine. Top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
    5. Bake. Bake in preheated oven for until the cheese is bubbly and the top is golden brown. If desired, sprinkle with extra red pepper flakes.
    6. Serve and Enjoy.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Gnocchi?

    Gnocchi is an Italian pasta made from potatoes, flour, and eggs. It can be found in the pasta aisle. It is often in plastic packaging. Most grocery stores should sell it – including Target, Trader Joe’s, etc. You can also make it by hand using a recipe like this authentic Italian recipe.

    I don't have an oven safe skillet, what can I use instead?

    No big deal! You can make the cheese sauce in any skillet on the stove then transfer to a baking dish to bake.

    Equipment Needed:

    • Oven Safe Skillet OR Baking Dish - I like to make the sauce and bake the dish all in one oven-safe cast iron skillet. If you don't have an oven-safe skillet, you can make the sauce separately then bake in a different baking dish.
    • Large Pot - For boiling the broccoli and gnocchi.
    • Wooden Spoon or Rubber Spatula - For stirring together the cheese sauce.
    Bowl of cheesy broccoli gnocchi with a fork

    Leftovers and Make Ahead

    • Leftovers - Although it is best served immediately, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.
    • Make Ahead - You can prep it up to a day ahead and then bake before serving. Prepare the cheesy sauce and prep the skillet or baking dish, place in the fridge until ready to bake.

    Variations

    • Add a Protein - I love adding some cooked chicken to the skillet for a boost of protein.
    • Single-Serving - Instead of baking in one skillet, you can spoon the mixture into smaller baking dishes to make individual servings.
    • Crispy Topping - For extra crunch, mix some breadcrumbs with a little melted butter then sprinkle on top with the remaining shredded cheese before baking.
    Creamy and cheesy broccoli gnocchi baked in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon

    Tip - How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet

    Cleaning cast iron is so simple. The main rule is do NOT use soap and do NOT put it in the dishwasher.

    After using, especially while it is still warm, warm/hot water and a scrub with a standard dish brush is all it should need. Then dry thoroughly – this is KEY!

    I recommend placing it back on the stove over medium-low for a few minutes to ensure that it is fully dry and then wipe a very thin layer of a neutral oil to maintain the seasoning.

    Stubborn Bits? Here is how to remove them from your skillet:

    1. Bring a thin layer of water to a simmer in the skillet and use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape any bits off the bottom.
    2. Use an ‘exfoliant’ such as salt to scrub off any bits.

    Looking for other cast iron skillet tips? Check out this post.

    Cheesy broccoli gnocchi baked in a cast iron skillet

    Other gnocchi recipes:

    • Creamy Spicy Gnocchi - Easy enough for a weeknight but decadent enough for date night! It comes together in less than 30 minutes and is a great meatless dinner recipe.
    • Cheesy Sausage Baked Gnocchi - Loaded with comforting Italian flavors and made in under 45 minutes with less than 10 minutes of hands on time. 
    • Creamy Mushroom Bacon Gnocchi - from Tastes of Homemade
    • Brown Butter Sage Gnocchi - from In Fine Taste
    • Vegan Sheet Pan Gnocchi - Roasted peppers and onions, bursting tomatoes, and tender gnocchi all tossed with some simple staple spices.

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    Print

    Recipe

    Cheesy Baked Broccoli Gnocchi

    Cheesy broccoli gnocchi in a cast iron skillet
    Print Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 6 reviews

    Cheesy Baked Broccoli Gnocchi is a comforting one-pan dinner! Creamy, cheesy, bubbly and comes together in about 30 minutes. Vegetarian friendly comfort food. Use your cast iron skillet for this easy gnocchi recipe.

    • Author: Kathleen
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 25 minutes
    • Total Time: 35 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings
    • Category: Mains
    • Method: One Pot, Oven, Stove
    • Cuisine: Italian
    • Diet: Vegetarian

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb Gnocchi
    • 3 cups Broccoli Florets
    • 1 cup Chicken or Vegetable Broth
    • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Onion Powder
    • ¼-½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
    • Salt and Pepper
    • 4 oz Cream Cheese, cubed
    • 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided

    Instructions

    1. Preheat Oven. Preheat oven to 400F. 
    2. Pre-Cook Broccoli and Gnocchi. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli and gnocchi, simmer for 3 minutes. Drain water and set aside.
    3. Make Cheese Sauce. Heat a large, ovenproof skillet with the broth over medium-high. Bringing broth to a simmer. Add the cubed cream cheese and stir until the cream cheese is mostly melted and combined. It's fine if there are still some small bits of cream cheese - it will melt in the oven. Add half of the mozzarella cheese (1 cup), the garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until melted, combined, and mostly smooth. Remove from heat.
    4. Add Broccoli and Gnocchi. Add the broccoli and gnocchi to the cheese sauce. Folding gently to combine. Top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
    5. Bake. Bake in preheated oven for about 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the top is golden brown. If desired, sprinkle with extra red pepper flakes.
    6. Serve and Enjoy.

    Notes

    Oven Safe Skillet OR Baking Dish - I like to make the sauce and bake the dish all in one oven-safe cast iron skillet. If you don't have an oven-safe skillet, you can make the sauce separately then bake in a different baking dish.

    Leftovers - Although it is best served immediately, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.

    Make Ahead - You can prep it up to a day ahead and then bake before serving. Prepare the cheesy sauce and prep the skillet or baking dish, place in the fridge until ready to bake.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: ¼ of skillet
    • Calories: 453
    • Sugar: 3.7 g
    • Sodium: 1529.5 mg
    • Fat: 18.5 g
    • Carbohydrates: 54.5 g
    • Fiber: 1.9 g
    • Protein: 18.8 g
    • Cholesterol: 56.6 mg

    Keywords: Cheesy Broccoli Gnocchi, One Pot Dinner, Cast Iron Skillet Dinner, Baked Gnocchi, Broccoli Gnocchi, Easy Recipe with Gnocchi

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Claire says

      February 16, 2023 at 1:02 pm

      Very tasty! Definite winner with the family 😄

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kathleen Hansen says

        February 16, 2023 at 7:44 pm

        Yay! I'm so glad that it was a hit. Thank you for your comment 🙂

        Reply
    2. Hannah says

      February 14, 2023 at 9:03 pm

      So good and easy!! Will absolutely make again!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kathleen Hansen says

        February 15, 2023 at 12:27 pm

        I'm so glad you loved it! Thank you for your comment 🙂

        Reply
    3. Phoebe Knarr says

      January 28, 2023 at 1:53 pm

      I never rate recipes but this one was a winner!!! Absolutely delicious!!!! Can't wait to make it again !!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kathleen says

        January 28, 2023 at 2:06 pm

        That makes me so happy to hear! Thank you!

        Reply
    4. Amber says

      November 04, 2022 at 7:37 pm

      Easy and very tasty!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kathleen says

        November 08, 2022 at 1:33 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    5. Alice says

      November 04, 2022 at 7:36 pm

      Easy and tasty!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kathleen says

        November 08, 2022 at 1:33 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    6. Michelle says

      October 05, 2021 at 4:22 pm

      Super yummy!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kathleen says

        October 05, 2021 at 5:44 pm

        Yay!! Thank you!!

        Reply
    7. Serena Marrujo says

      September 22, 2021 at 7:00 pm

      What size cast iron did you use?

      Reply
      • Kathleen says

        September 26, 2021 at 10:10 am

        I used a large, 12-inch skillet

        Reply

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    Hi! I'm Kathleen and welcome! My favorite place to be has always been in the kitchen and I love creating recipes that are easy and approachable. Simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions!

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