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Baked Gnocchi with Broccoli

Cheesy, gooey, hot and bubbly—this one-pan baked gnocchi with broccoli is 100% pure certified comfort food, and it’s ready in just about 20 minutes.

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cheesy Baked Gnocchi with broccoli in a cast iron skillet

Does A 20-Minute Recipe Have the Right To Be This Delicious?

We’re pulling out all the stops on this one—a bubbly, creamy sauce, doughy pillows of gnocchi and OK, yeah, some broccoli for good measure. Actually, the broccoli is in there to brighten things up a little, add lots of nutrition, and round this out into a true one-pan meal. That said, the broccoli is also in there because (like the sophisticated adults we are) we really like broccoli. And eating stuff you really like is what this meal is ALL about. It’s not about feeling virtuous, or about deprivation—nope! It’s about indulging in a fabulously creamy, melty, pan of pure comfort. And, this streamlined baked gnocchi recipe is about getting that cozy, comforting meal on the table in just about 20 minutes.

Ingredients for baked gnocchi with broccoli, chicken stock, cream cheese and shredded mozzarella

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What’s In This Magical, 20-Minute Baked Gnocchi Recipe?

You see a short ingredient list, and you’re already on board, right? Then, you look a little closer and notice that two of the ingredients are CHEESE. Oh yes. Sign me up! OK, so here’s all that you’ll need to make this pared down, no-fuss, cheesy baked gnocchi with broccoli:

  • Store-bought gnocchi! Best time-saver ever. We love the idea of spending a whole afternoon making homemade potato gnocchi from scratch. But, that’s just not our lives right now—maybe someday. Until then, enter store-bought gnocchi!
  • Broccoli! You’ll need about three cups of chopped broccoli, which is roughly what you’ll get from a single large head of broccoli.
  • Stock! Use vegetable stock and voila! A vegetarian dinner you can really toot your horn about! Or, if you’d rather (or if it’s all you’ve got) just use chicken stock. That’s fine, too.
  • Cream cheese! The best, sneaky way to make creamy pasta—who doesn’t love a short cut?
  • Mozzarella! DUH! Gnocchi is Italian, and this baked gnocchi is firmly in the Italian-American recipe sphere. Therefore, there’s got to be mozz or parm—it’s just a rule.
  • Red pepper flakes! Totally optional, heartily recommended.
gnocchi and broccoli boiled in a Dutch oven
chicken stock, cream cheese ad mozzarella melted together in a cast iron skillet
chicken stock, cream cheese and mozzarella stirred together in a cast iron skillet
cream cheese, chicken stock, broccoli, gnocchi and mozzarella getting ready to bake

How To Make Baked Gnocchi with Broccoli in No Time Flat.

Get excited, because the meltiest, carb-iest, creamiest baked pasta dish of your dreams is just 20 minutes away. Here’s how to make your new meatless Monday go-to:

  1. Blanch the broccoli and then gnocchi in a big pot of boiling water for just a few minutes, to get them partially cooked.
  2. Bring the broth (chicken or veggie) to a simmer in a big oven-safe skillet and whisk or stir in the cream cheese until the broth is creamy.
  3. In goes the mozzarella, followed by the broccoli and gnocchi. Stir to combine. Begin to get very excited because you’re nearly there!
  4. Sprinkle the top with more mozzarella because now is not the time for restraint! Into the oven until the top is nice and bubbly.
  5. Finish with red pepper flakes and tuck in! Careful, it’s hot.
cheesy Baked Gnocchi with broccoli in a cast iron skillet

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Did Someone Say Cheesy Baked Pasta Recipes?

Oh, right. It was us. Yeah, it always comes back to a big pan of melted cheese and carbs, doesn’t it? There’s nothing better. Here are four more baked pastas that we know are always there for us:

cheesy Baked Gnocchi with broccoli in a cast iron skillet
cheesy Baked Gnocchi with broccoli in a cast iron skillet

Baked Gnocchi is the Best Food : T/F?

If you make this lusciously creamy, cheesy baked gnocchi with broccoli, we want to hear about it! Snap a photo of your RECIPE and maybe even a video of the beautiful people you feed it to. Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!

Baked Gnocchi with Broccoli

  • Serves: 6
  • Prep Time:  10 min
  • Cook Time:  20 min
  • Calories: 344

Ingredients

  • 3 cups broccoli, florets roughly chopped
  • 16 ounces gnocchi
  • 1½ cup chicken or vegetable stock
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 400° F with a rack in the center position.

  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the broccoli and cook for 2 minutes. Add the gnocchi and cook for 1 minute longer. Drain.

  3. Add the broth to a large ovenproof skillet set over medium high heat. When the broth begins to simmer, add the cream cheese and cook, stirring until it’s mostly combined. Stir in the garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Add 1 cup of the mozzarella and stir until fully incorporated.

  4. Stir in the broccoli and gnocchi. Top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbly. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes (if using) before serving.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories344
  • Protein17 g
  • Carbohydrates37 g
  • Total Fat16 g
  • Dietary Fiber3 g
  • Cholesterol68 mg
  • sodium312 mg
  • Total Sugars2 g

Baked Gnocchi with Broccoli

Questions & Reviews

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  • Persephone

    Can you put potatoes in here so its like a cheddar broccoli potato soup?

    Gnocchi is made of mashed potatoes so adding more potato would be pretty potato heavy.

  • Michelle Meagher

    We’re not huge fans of broccoli. Any substitutions you recommend? Thanks!

    Asparagus could work nicely.

  • Rika

    My gnocchi tasted very sour. Is this because it went off in the package or possibly needed to be cooked longer? Thank you!

    Gnocchi shouldn't taste sour, it possible went bad in your package. Sorry to hear that Rika!

  • Derick

    I'm a novice and a little unclear on the blanching part. How long will the gnocchi and broccoli be in the boiling water total?

    3 minutes total. Once the water is at a rapid boil put the broccoli in for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes add the gnocchi in with the broccoli and blanch for an addition 1 minute. Then you can drain the water and set the pot to the side. Hope this helps!

  • Linda

    Hi,
    If I'm using frozen broccoli, should I cook it first before putting it in the boiling water or will just boiling it be okay?

    The boiling with be enough!

  • Audrey morris

    Excellent. Comes together so quickly for a great weeknight meal. I add some minced garlic before baking and a bit of fresh basil along with the red pepper flakes at the end. It’s in our rotation!

    Thanks Audrey, so happy you love it and put it in rotation! YAY!

  • vivian

    This was delicious, and very simple to make. I might add some grated Parmesan next time to up the cheesy taste. The other addition that could be made that would not be any more work is to use herb and garlic cream cheese. Thanks for a great recipe!

    Thanks Vivian, glad you enjoyed it! Sounds like some yummy ideas you can try in the future too!

  • Erin Coates

    Made this tonight with my husband. Absolutely amazing! Very easy to make and straightforward instructions. I’ll be making this again soon!

    Thank you Erin, we are so happy that you loved it!

  • Simone

    This was great! My husband called it “restaurant quality” and he’s picky! A couple changes we made: pan-searing gnocchi before adding the sauce; added a little bit of onion powder and black pepper! This was super easy and absolutely delicious! It’s a dish I would happily make for friends and family when they come over.

    Thank you Simone, so glad you both enjoyed it!

  • Hempstead

    I am a novice. Followed the recipe to the letter. Excellent results. Thanks for the recipe.

    We are so glad you liked it!