Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi Recipe
This Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi recipe combines tender gnocchi with richly caramelized sweet onions, savory beef broth, and fragrant thyme, all topped with melted Gruyere cheese and baked to bubbly perfection. A comforting, flavorful dish perfect for a cozy dinner, served best alongside crusty 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 Gnocchi:
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 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)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
For the Topping:
- 8–10 slices French bread (day-old works best)
- 1 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese (preferably Gruyere)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking after preparing the gnocchi mixture.
- Caramelize Onions: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the olive oil and unsalted butter together over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced sweet onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 20 minutes. This slow cooking process enhances the sweetness and flavor of the onions.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the fresh minced thyme and beef broth, then bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook Gnocchi: Add the gnocchi to the simmering broth mixture and stir occasionally over medium heat until the gnocchi is tender and the sauce has thickened and reduced, about 5-10 minutes.
- Season: Season the gnocchi mixture with salt and pepper to your taste to enhance all the flavors.
- Assemble for Baking: Transfer the gnocchi mixture into a greased medium baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese evenly over the top for a rich, melted crust.
- Bake: Bake the assembled dish at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is lightly browned and bubbling, indicating it’s perfectly melted and golden.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Serve with French bread slices on the side for dipping, and enjoy every cheesy, savory bite of this comforting baked gnocchi dish.
Notes
- For a deeper cheese flavor, Gruyere is preferred over Swiss.
- Day-old French bread works best for dipping as it holds up better.
- Caramelize onions slowly to develop maximum sweetness and flavor.
- Fresh or frozen gnocchi can be used interchangeably.
- Adjust salt and pepper seasoning according to personal taste.
Keywords: French onion gnocchi, baked gnocchi recipe, caramelized onion gnocchi, cheesy baked gnocchi, easy French recipe
