Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi Recipe
A comforting and savory baked French onion gnocchi dish featuring tender gnocchi simmered in a rich caramelized onion and beef broth sauce, topped with melted Gruyere cheese and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner or cozy weekend meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Base
- 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 thyme)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Main
- 1 lb gnocchi (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese (preferably Gruyere)
Accompaniment
- 8–10 slices French bread (day-old works best)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the gnocchi dish later.
- Caramelize Onions: In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the olive oil and unsalted butter together. Add the thinly sliced sweet onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cooking slowly enhances the sweetness and flavor of the onions.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour the white wine into the skillet to deglaze, scraping up all browned bits from the pan’s bottom. Add fresh minced thyme and beef broth, then bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook Gnocchi: Add the gnocchi to the simmering sauce. Stir occasionally over medium heat until the gnocchi is tender and the sauce thickens and reduces, about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Season: Season the gnocchi mixture with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring a balanced and savory flavor.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the gnocchi and sauce into a greased medium baking dish. Spread evenly and top with shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Serve hot with slices of French bread on the side for dipping into the flavorful sauce.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, Gruyere cheese is recommended but Swiss cheese works well too.
- Day-old French bread is ideal for dipping as it holds up better with the sauce.
- Take time caramelizing onions slowly to develop maximum sweetness and richness.
- Gnocchi can be fresh or frozen; add cooking time accordingly if using frozen.
- Use a medium baking dish to ensure even baking of the gnocchi and cheese topping.
Keywords: French onion gnocchi, baked gnocchi, caramelized onion, Gruyere cheese, comfort food, dinner recipe
