• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Summer
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
Knife and Soul
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About me
  • Recipes
  • Summer
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About me
    • Recipes
    • Summer
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Comfort Food Recipes » Cheesy Vegetarian Baked Gnocchi With Tomato and Broccoli

    Cheesy Vegetarian Baked Gnocchi With Tomato and Broccoli

    Published: Apr 12, 2023 · Modified: May 19, 2023 by Helen·

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Baked Gnocchi a super easy one-pan dish
    Baked Gnocchi

    Want to jazz up an ordinary pack of store-bought gnocchi? This easy-peasy vegetarian baked gnocchi recipe has got you covered. Each mouth-watering bite is packed with flavour and texture, thanks to a medley of tomato, broccoli, and mushrooms in a creamy, herby béchamel sauce topped with a crispy, cheesy crust.

    And the best part? You can prep and bake in one pan and there's no need to pre-cook anything. Whether you follow the recipe to the letter or mix things up by throwing in whatever veggies you have to hand - this versatile recipe is sure to be a hit.

    Baked Gnocchi

    Looking for more ways to take store-bought gnocchi to a whole new level? You should try this Fried Gnocchi Recipe with Spinach and Feta. For more comforting vegetarian weeknight-friendly pasta dishes take a look at my Cheesy Pasta Bake and Pesto Lasagne. Or if you want to try making your own gnocchi this Homemade Sweet Potato Gnocchi Recipe is surprisingly quick and easy.

    The post contains additional information and helpful tips to ensure the recipe turns out great the first time. Please use the link above to jump to the recipe card at the end if you are in a hurry!

    Jump to:
    • ✅ 6 reasons why you should choose this recipe:
    • 🛒 Ingredients and variations:
    • 🧑‍🍳 Recipe steps
    • 🍽️ Serving suggestions
    • 🥘 Variations
    • 👍 Expert tips
    • 🙋 FAQs
    • 📦 Storage
    • 😋 Check out my other cheesy pasta bakes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Cheesy Vegetarian Baked Gnocchi

    ✅ 6 reasons why you should choose this recipe:

    • Creamy, cheesy, and comforting
    • Packed with fresh veggies - broccoli, tomatoes and mushroom
    • Crispy cheesy topping
    • Quick and easy dinner recipe
    • One-pot dish if you have an oven-proof pan/skillet
    • Customisable

    🛒 Ingredients and variations:

    Baked Gnocchi ingredients

    Gnocchi

    I normally use store-bought fresh potato gnocchi. I recommend avoiding the pantry long-life kind that you don't need to refrigerate because the consistency can be a bit rubbery. Homemade gnocchi are also a good option, but you should cook them first in boiling water before baking them in the oven. There's no need to pre-cook store-bought gnocchi, they will get nice and soft and pillowy when you bake them.

    Veggies

    I've tested a variety of veggies and found that broccoli, tomato and mushrooms provide a brilliant blend of flavour and texture. Feel free to change it up, other green veggies like spinach, courgette/zucchini and peppers will work nicely.

    Herbs and seasoning

    I add salt, pepper, nutmeg, and dried oregano to the sauce and I put in fresh basil and thyme before baking. However, if fresh herbs are not available, you can switch them for dried herbs or skip them (you'll still have a very tasty gnocchi bake).

    Cheesy topping

    After testing a few cheeses, I found a blend of soft stretchy mozzarella and nutty Parmesan was the winning combo. I opt for grated mozzarella for convenience, but you can also use fresh. That said, there are other cheeses that will work well like cheddar, Monterey Jack or Gouda so feel free to switch things up.

    I also like to scatter panko breadcrumbs onto the cheese to get the topping extra crispy. You can use normal breadcrumbs or skip the breadcrumbs and enjoy a topping of pure cheese.

    🧑‍🍳 Recipe steps

    1. Fry the mushrooms

    Place a frying pan on a high heat and add a quarter of the butter. Add the mushrooms when the butter gets hot and starts to sizzle and fry for a few minutes until they begin to brown and set aside.

    Frying the mushrooms

    2. Make the sauce

    Reduce the heat of the pan to medium and add the rest of the butter. Add the garlic and sauté for a minute or two then stir in the flour until a smooth paste is formed. Pour in the milk a little at a time, stirring continuously until a smooth sauce is formed. Then season with salt, pepper, nutmeg and ground oregano.

    Making the sauce

    3. Add the veggies

    Add the tomatoes and simmer for a few minutes then stir in the broccoli, gnocchi, cooked mushrooms, thyme and basil. Then remove from the heat.

    Adding the vegetables

    4. Topping & bake

    Sprinkle mozzarella, Parmesan and breadcrumbs on top and bake for 20 minutes until the topping is golden and bubbling around the edges.

    Topping and baking the gnocchi

    🍽️ Serving suggestions

    This gnocchi bake is a hearty and wholesome meal that is sure to fill you up quickly, but it does go nicely with a green salad or garlic bread if you fancy something extra on the side.

    🥘 Variations

    There are so many ways you can change up this dish. Here are a few suggestions:

    • Veggies - switch the broccoli and/or mushrooms for courgettes/zucchini, spinach/baby spinach or green or red peppers.
    • Gnocchi - use sweet potato or cauliflower gnocchi instead of regular potato gnocchi
    • Add meat - such as sausage, leftover chicken or pork or beef mince.
    • Pesto - add some red or green pesto to the white sauce.
    • Sauce - try a marinara tomato sauce instead of bechamel.

    👍 Expert tips

    1. Use an oven-proof pan or skillet - to reduce washing up.
    2. Add the milk slowly to the roux - to avoid lumps.
    3. Don't worry about pre-cooking the gnocchi or veggies (aside from the mushrooms) - the magic happens in the oven.
    Baked Gnocchi a super easy one-pan dish

    🙋 FAQs

    What is gnocchi?

    Gnocchi is a type of Italian pasta that is usually made from potatoes and flour. It's a comfort food, enjoyed around the world thanks to its soft and pillowy texture. Gnocchi can be enjoyed as a main or side dish and served in several ways including boiled with sauces like marinara, pesto or cream-based, fried, baked or in soup.

    Do you need to boil the gnocchi before you put the dish in the oven?

    There is no need to boil gnocchi before adding them to a baked dish. They will cook as they bake in the oven. The only exception is homemade gnocchi, which should be cooked for a few minutes in boiling water first.

    Can I use frozen gnocchi?

    You can use frozen gnocchi and bake them from frozen. Just add another 5-10 minutes to the cooking time. To test the doneness, try a piece of gnocchi from the centre of the bake.

    📦 Storage

    Like most foods, baked gnocchi is best eaten fresh. That said, the dish can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and frozen for up to 3 months without sacrificing too much of the yummy taste or texture. Simply cover or place into an airtight container and place in the fridge or freezer.

    Reheating

    You can reheat chilled baked gnocchi in the oven, microwave, or air fryer if you are reheating a smaller portion.

    • Oven: this is the best way to retain the delicious taste and texture of the gnocchi. Heat the oven to 180C or 350F cover and bake for 20-25 minutes until warm and bubbling. You can bake from frozen too, but you will need to allow 45-60 minutes.
    • Microwave: doesn't do wonders for the taste and consistency, but is super speedy if you're in a rush. Simply place your desired portion into a microwave-safe dish or plate, cover it with plastic wrap or a microwave-safe lid and heat on high power for 2-3 minutes.
    • Air fryer: this is one of my favourite ways to reheat baked pasta dishes because you get oven-baked quality in a much shorter time. Preheat your air fryer to 175°C (350°F) and transfer the gnocchi to an oven-safe dish that is suitable for your air fryer and cook until hot and bubbly. This will take 5-8 minutes from chilled and 10-15 minutes from frozen.

    😋 Check out my other cheesy pasta bakes

    • Easy Cheesy Pasta Bake
      Easy 3 Cheese Pasta Bake | The Best Cheesy Pasta Recipe
    • Nduja, 3 Cheese & Kale Lasagne
    • creamy tuna pasta bake on a plate
      Easy Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake
    • Easy Lasagne Al Pesto
      Easy Lasagne Al Pesto

    Did you try this recipe? It would be really great if you could leave a comment and a star rating ⭐️. I would love to receive your feedback and know that other readers find it helpful too.

    Don't forget to tag #knifeandsoulrecipes on Instagram or @knifeandsoul on Pinterest!

    📖 Recipe

    Baked Gnocchi a super easy one-pan dish

    Cheesy Vegetarian Baked Gnocchi

    Author: Helen
    A one-pan vegetarian baked gnocchi recipe with tomatoes and broccoli in a creamy, herby sauce with the tastiest cheesy topping.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 520 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 large oven-safe pan

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 garlic cloves crushed
    • 200g (2 cups) broccoli florets cut small (in half / thirds (Note 1)
    • 300g (1 ⅓ cups) tomatoes diced
    • 150 g (1 ⅔ cups) mushrooms sliced (around 4 large mushrooms)
    • 4 tbsp butter
    • 3 tbsp flour
    • 400 ml (1 ¾ cups) milk
    • ¼ tsp nutmeg
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ½ tsp black pepper
    • 1 tsp thyme
    • ½ tsp dried oregano
    • 500 g (1 lb) gnocchi (Note 2)
    • 1 handful fresh basil leaves torn/roughly chopped
    • 80g (¾ cup) mozzarella cheese grated or fresh
    • 10g Parmesan grated
    • 2 tbsp breadcrumbs (preferably panko) optional

    Instructions
     

    • Heat the oven to 180°C or 350°F.
    • Place a large frying pan on a medium to high heat and add one quarter of the butter. Add the mushrooms and fry until browned then remove from the pan and set aside.
    • Reduce the heat to medium and add the rest of the butter and minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
    • Add the flour, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
    • Add the tomatoes, broccoli, thyme and oregano and simmer in the sauce for 5 minutes. Then stir in the gnocchi, cooked mushrooms and basil leaves.
    • Sprinkle mozzarella, Parmesan and breadcrumbs on top.
    • Bake in the centre of the oven for 20 minutes until the cheesy topping is brown and bubbling. Optional: Place under the grill / broiler for a few minute to get the cheese topping extra crispy.

    Notes

    1. Broccoli - equivalent to one small head of broccoli for 4 portions.
    2. Gnocchi - store-bought fresh gnocchi is recommended. Avoid the type you can store in the pantry if possible. There's no need to pre-cook unless you are using homemade gnocchi, which will need to be cooked in boiling water for a few minutes first.
    Leftovers:
    Can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months and reheated in the oven, air fryer or microwave. Please refer to the storage section of the blog post for more detailed instructions.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 18gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 780mgPotassium: 664mgFiber: 6gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1669IUVitamin C: 57mgCalcium: 339mgIron: 6mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag Me Today!Mention @KnifeandSoulRecipes or tag #knifeandsoulrecipes!
    « Stuffed Courgette Boats With Mince Lamb
    Butterscotch Tartlets »

    Share this recipe!

    4 shares
    • Share
    • Twitter
    • Yummly

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Helen! The creator of all the tasty, speedy and easy-to-follow recipes on Knife & Soul. I hope I can help you to add some deliciousness to your busy life today.

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Chicken Chow Mein
      Chicken Chow Mein (better than takeaway)
    • Panko Chicken Breasts
      Panko Chicken (perfectly crispy)
    • Katsu Curry Sauce served
      Katsu Curry Sauce (really easy recipe)
    • lava cake with ice cream
      Easy Chocolate Fondant Cakes
    • Italian Meatballs
      Traditional Homemade Italian Meatballs With Milk Soaked Bread 
    • Cooked prawn curry in frying pan
      Easy Prawn Curry With Coconut Milk

    Summer Recipes

    • A bowl of pasta with creamy white wine sauce on a pale blue background.
      Creamy White Wine Pasta Sauce With Butter and Garlic
    • Strawberry and Rocket Salad
      Strawberry and Rocket Salad
    • Spinach and Feta Parcels
      Spinach and Feta Parcels (crispy and delicious)
    • Lamb Kebabs (Lamb Shish)
      Homemade Turkish Lamb Shish Kebabs
    • A dessert jar of strawberries and cream with a mint leaf topping.
      English Strawberries and Cream (Wimbledon Dessert)
    • Pesto Crusted Salmon
      Pesto Crusted Salmon

    Follow Knife & Soul

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Never Miss A Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About me

    Stay in touch

    • Subscribe
    • Follow on Facebook
    • Follow on Instagram
    • Follow on Pinterest

    Recipes

    • Recipe Index
    • Web stories

    Copyright © 2023 Knife & Soul

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    4 shares