Description
This Tasty Baked Gnocchi Mac and Cheese is a comforting and cheesy dish featuring pillowy gnocchi baked in a rich three-cheese sauce with hints of garlic and dijon mustard. Perfect for a satisfying family meal, the gnocchi is first boiled until tender, then enveloped in a creamy, flavorful cheese sauce, topped with parmesan, and baked to golden perfection.
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 Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the gnocchi mac and cheese.
- Cook Gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the gnocchi, and cook for 2-3 minutes until they float to the surface. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in flour to form a roux, then slowly whisk in the milk, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Add Seasoning and Cheese: Stir in the dijon mustard, salt, and white pepper to the sauce. Add the gruyère and fontina cheeses and continue to stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine Gnocchi with Sauce: Add the cooked gnocchi into the cheese sauce and stir until all pieces are well coated with the cheesy mixture.
- Bake the Dish: Transfer the coated gnocchi and cheese sauce into a nonstick baking dish. Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese evenly on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
- Use fresh or packaged gnocchi, but avoid overcooking to keep the gnocchi tender without becoming mushy.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste, especially since parmesan adds some saltiness.
- Gruyère and fontina provide creamy meltability; you can substitute with other melting cheeses if needed.
- For a crispier topping, you can add a sprinkle of breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan before baking.
- Let the baked gnocchi rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
