Description
This Baked French Onion Gnocchi is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring deeply caramelized onions, tender gnocchi, and a rich blend of Gruyère and mozzarella cheeses, baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a cozy fall dinner, this French-inspired recipe combines stovetop caramelizing and baking techniques for a hearty and satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Onion Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1/2 cup beef or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Main Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) package shelf-stable or fresh potato gnocchi
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F to prepare for baking the dish.
- Caramelize the Onions: In a large oven-safe skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions along with salt, pepper, and sugar. Cook, stirring frequently, for 20 to 25 minutes until the onions become deeply caramelized and golden brown, enhancing their natural sweetness.
- Add Herbs and Garlic: Stir in the fresh thyme leaves and minced garlic, cooking for an additional minute to release their aroma and flavor into the caramelized onions.
- Deglaze the Pan: Optionally add the dry white wine to the skillet, scraping any browned bits from the bottom to lift the flavorful residue into the sauce. If you skip the wine, add a splash more broth instead.
- Add Broth and Cream: Stir in the beef or vegetable broth and heavy cream, combining the mixture to create a rich, savory sauce base for the gnocchi.
- Add Gnocchi and Simmer: Add the potato gnocchi directly to the skillet, stirring gently to coat them evenly with the sauce. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the gnocchi are slightly tender and begin to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top of the gnocchi and onion mixture, preparing it for baking.
- Bake the Dish: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top. For an extra crispy cheese crust, broil for 1 to 2 minutes at the end, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the dish cool slightly. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting baked French onion gnocchi.
Notes
- Skip the white wine if preferred and use a splash more broth to deglaze the pan.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and ensure the cheese is rennet-free.
- Frozen or refrigerated gnocchi might require a few extra minutes of cooking time to achieve tenderness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
