Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi Recipe

Introduction

This Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi is a comforting and flavorful dish that brings together tender gnocchi, sweet caramelized onions, and melted Gruyere cheese. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner and pairs wonderfully with crusty French bread for dipping.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup white wine
• Salt, to taste
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 2 cups beef broth
• Pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp fresh minced thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb gnocchi (fresh or frozen)
• 1 large sweet onion (thinly sliced)
• 8-10 slices French bread (day-old works best)
• 1 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese (Gruyere preferred for deeper flavor)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the olive oil and unsalted butter together.
2. Step 2: Add the thinly sliced sweet onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Patience is key to bring out their natural sweetness and flavor.
3. Step 3: Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the fresh minced thyme (or dried thyme) and beef broth, then bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Add the gnocchi and stir occasionally over medium heat until the gnocchi is tender and the sauce has thickened and reduced, about 5-10 minutes.
5. Step 5: Season the gnocchi mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer everything into a greased medium baking dish and spread it out evenly.
6. Step 6: Top the gnocchi with the shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese.
7. Step 7: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is lightly browned and the gnocchi is bubbly.
8. Step 8: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Serve hot with French bread slices on the side for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• Use Gruyere cheese for a richer, deeper flavor; Swiss cheese works well as a milder alternative.
• Cooking the onions slowly over medium heat maximizes their sweetness and caramelization.
• Day-old French bread is best for dipping as it holds up well without becoming soggy.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth for the beef broth.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through and the cheese is bubbly again. Avoid microwaving to maintain the crisp texture of the cheese topping.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen gnocchi for this recipe?

Yes, frozen gnocchi works perfectly. Just add a few extra minutes when cooking them in the sauce to ensure they become tender.

What can I use if I don’t have fresh thyme?

Dried thyme is a great substitute—use about one-third the amount of fresh thyme called for. You can also experiment with rosemary or savory for slightly different flavor notes.

Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 119 reviews

This Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender gnocchi simmered in a rich caramelized onion, beef broth, and white wine sauce, topped with melted Gruyere or Swiss cheese, then baked to golden perfection. Perfect as a cozy meal served with French bread for dipping.

• Author: Felix
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Onion and Sauce

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1 large sweet onion (thinly sliced)
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tbsp fresh minced thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb gnocchi (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese (Gruyere preferred for deeper flavor)
• 8–10 slices French bread (day-old works best, for serving)

Instructions

1. Caramelize the Onions: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the olive oil and unsalted butter together. Add the thinly sliced sweet onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Slow cooking helps develop the onions’ sweetness and rich flavor.
2. Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the fresh minced thyme (or dried thyme) and beef broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
3. Cook the Gnocchi: Add the gnocchi to the simmering sauce and stir occasionally over medium heat until the gnocchi is tender and the sauce has thickened and reduced, about 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Season and Transfer: Season the gnocchi mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer everything into a greased medium baking dish and spread evenly.
5. Add Cheese and Bake: Top the gnocchi with shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is lightly browned and bubbly.
6. Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Serve hot with French bread slices on the side for dipping. Enjoy every cheesy, savory bite!

Notes

• Low and slow caramelization of onions enhances their natural sweetness and flavor.
• Gruyere cheese provides a richer, deeper flavor than Swiss but either works well.
• Day-old French bread is ideal for dipping but fresh bread works fine too.
• Fresh or frozen gnocchi can be used; adjust cooking times slightly if needed.
• To make this vegetarian, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth.

Keywords: French onion gnocchi, baked gnocchi, comfort food, caramelized onion recipe, cheesy gnocchi bake