Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Season and Transfer: Season the gnocchi mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer everything into a greased medium baking dish and spread evenly.
- 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.
- 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
