Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi Recipe

Introduction

Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender gnocchi with rich caramelized onions and melted cheese. This easy recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner and pairs wonderfully with crusty French bread.

A white round dish filled with three main layers: the bottom layer is dark brown caramelized onions with a soft, slightly wet texture; the middle layer consists of golden-brown crispy tater tots evenly spread; the top layer is melted, bubbly pale yellow cheese covering the tater tots partially, with fresh green thyme sprigs placed in the center for garnish. On the right edge of the dish, there are three toasted white bread slices stacked with a crisp, golden-brown texture. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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

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. Add the thinly sliced sweet onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 20 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the thyme and beef broth, then bring the mixture to a simmer. 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.
  3. Step 3: Season the gnocchi mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer everything into a greased medium baking dish and spread it out evenly. Top with the shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese.
  4. Step 4: Bake the assembled gnocchi at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is lightly browned and the gnocchi is bubbly. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
  5. Step 5: Serve the hot gnocchi bake with French bread slices on the side for dipping. Enjoy every cheesy, savory bite!

Tips & Variations

  • For a richer flavor, use Gruyere cheese instead of Swiss.
  • If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth for beef broth.
  • Day-old French bread works best for dipping, as it holds up well without falling apart.
  • Take your time caramelizing the onions to bring out their natural sweetness and depth.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake the gnocchi in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through and the cheese is bubbly again, about 10-15 minutes. Avoid microwaving to help maintain the cheese’s texture.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with golden-brown gnocchi covered in a glossy caramelized onion sauce and melted cheese that stretches over the edges. A toasted slice of bread with a light golden crust and soft airy inside is placed diagonally inside the bowl, topped with a small sprig of thyme. In front of the bowl, two more toasted slices of bread rest on a white marbled surface, each sprinkled with small green thyme leaves. The background also shows a blurred second bowl with more gnocchi. The colors are warm and inviting with soft natural light. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen gnocchi for this recipe?

Yes, frozen gnocchi works well. Just make sure to cook it until tender in the sauce as instructed before baking.

What can I do if I don’t have white wine?

You can substitute dry white grape juice or extra beef broth for the white wine. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.

Print

Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi Recipe

This Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi recipe combines tender gnocchi with deeply caramelized sweet onions, flavorful beef broth, and melted Gruyere cheese for a comforting, cheesy bake perfect for a cozy meal. Enhanced by a splash of white wine and fresh thyme, this dish is easy to prepare and pairs wonderfully with crusty French bread for dipping.

  • Author: Jeannette
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 46 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale

For the Caramelized Onions

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 1 large sweet onion (thinly sliced)

For the Gnocchi and Sauce

  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 1 tbsp fresh minced thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 lb gnocchi (fresh or frozen)
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste

For Topping and Serving

  • 1 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese (Gruyere preferred)
  • 810 slices French bread (day-old works best)
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature, for caramelizing onions)

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the Onions: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, melt 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp unsalted butter together. Add the thinly sliced sweet onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Slow cooking enhances sweetness and flavor.
  2. Deglaze and Simmer the Gnocchi: Pour in 1/4 cup white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add 1 tbsp fresh minced thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme) and 2 cups beef broth, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in 1 lb gnocchi and cook over medium heat, occasionally stirring, until the gnocchi is tender and the sauce has thickened and reduced, about 5-10 minutes.
  3. Season and Assemble for Baking: Season the gnocchi mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the mixture into a greased medium baking dish and spread it evenly. Top with 1 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese for a rich, melty finish.
  4. Bake the Gnocchi: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is lightly browned and the gnocchi bake is bubbly. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
  5. Serve with French Bread: Serve the hot baked gnocchi alongside 8-10 slices of day-old French bread for dipping. Enjoy the comforting combination of cheesy, savory gnocchi with crusty bread.

Notes

  • Using day-old French bread gives better texture for dipping because it’s slightly stale and sturdy.
  • Gruyere cheese is preferred for its deep, nutty flavor, but Swiss cheese is a fine substitute.
  • Caramelizing onions slowly is key for maximum sweetness and flavor development.
  • You can use fresh or frozen gnocchi; just adjust cooking time slightly if needed.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth.

Keywords: baked gnocchi, french onion gnocchi, caramelized onions, cheesy gnocchi bake, comfort food, easy dinner, Gruyere cheese, French bread side

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