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Baked Gnocchi Alfredo Recipe

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3.9 from 78 reviews

This Baked Gnocchi Alfredo is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender gnocchi coated in a homemade Alfredo sauce made with butter, garlic, heavy cream, whole milk, and Parmesan cheese, topped with melted Monterey Jack cheese and baked to golden perfection. Garnished with fresh parsley or chives, it makes a hearty and satisfying side or main course.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Gnocchi

  • 32 ounces gnocchi

Alfredo Sauce

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (do not substitute)
  • ½ cup whole milk (do not substitute)
  • 1 ½ cups Parmesan cheese, finely grated or shredded
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)

Topping and Garnish

  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (mozzarella cheese may be substituted)
  • Fresh parsley or fresh chives, finely minced (optional, for garnishing to taste)
  • (Optional) ¾ to 1 cup breadcrumbs or Panko breadcrumbs mixed with 2 tablespoons melted butter for extra crispiness

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and spray a 9×13-inch baking or casserole dish with cooking spray; set it aside for later use.
  2. Cook Gnocchi: Cook the gnocchi according to package directions in a pot of boiling salted water. Drain and set aside. Note that cooking times may vary depending on fresh, dried, or frozen gnocchi.
  3. Melt Butter: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter, stirring occasionally to help it melt evenly.
  4. Sauté Garlic: Add the finely minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for about 1 minute or until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  5. Add Cream and Milk: Slowly pour in the heavy cream and whole milk, stirring continuously to combine and create a smooth sauce base.
  6. Incorporate Parmesan: Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir constantly to encourage it to melt completely. Avoid boiling the sauce to prevent dairy separation; keep the heat at medium or medium-high without bubbling.
  7. Season Sauce: Taste the Alfredo sauce and add salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference, starting with ½ teaspoon each, adjusting as needed based on cheese saltiness.
  8. Combine Gnocchi and Sauce: Add the drained gnocchi to the Alfredo sauce in the skillet (or pour the sauce into the gnocchi pot if larger) and stir well to evenly coat the gnocchi. Optionally, add cooked, shredded, or diced chicken for added protein now.
  9. Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the gnocchi and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
  10. Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top of the gnocchi mixture. For extra crispiness, you may toss breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the cheese layer.
  11. Bake: Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Rotate the pan halfway during baking for even browning.
  12. Optional Broil: For extra crisp and browned spots on top, broil the dish for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  13. Garnish: Once baked, sprinkle freshly minced parsley or chives evenly over the top if desired.
  14. Serve: Serve warm as a side dish or a hearty main alongside your favorite complementing dishes.

Notes

  • If making ahead, prepare through step 10, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bring to room temperature for 1 hour before baking to avoid dish cracking and uneven baking.
  • Do not substitute heavy cream or whole milk as they are important for sauce texture and flavor.
  • For extra crispy topping, add buttered breadcrumbs or Panko on top before baking.
  • Do not allow the sauce to boil when melting cheese or adding dairy to prevent curdling.
  • You can add cooked chicken to make this recipe more filling.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/baked-gnocchi-alfredo-recipe/