Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi Recipe
This Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi recipe combines deeply caramelized sweet onions with tender gnocchi simmered in a savory broth and white wine sauce, baked to perfection with melted Gruyere cheese on top. Served alongside crispy French bread slices, it’s a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a quick dinner or cozy meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
For the Gnocchi:
- 1/4 cup white wine
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 2 cups beef broth
- Pepper, to taste
- 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)
For the Topping:
- 8–10 slices French bread (day-old works best)
- 1 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese (preferably Gruyere for deeper flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat and Caramelize 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 onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Slow cooking enhances sweetness and flavor.
- Deglaze and Simmer Gnocchi: Pour in 1/4 cup white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Add 1 tbsp fresh minced thyme (or 1 tsp dried) and 2 cups beef broth, then bring to a simmer. Add 1 lb gnocchi and stir occasionally over medium heat until gnocchi is tender and the sauce has thickened and reduced, about 5-10 minutes.
- Season and Assemble: Season the gnocchi mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer everything into a greased medium baking dish and spread evenly. Top with 1 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese (Gruyere preferred for deeper flavor).
- Bake the Gnocchi: Bake the assembled gnocchi at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is lightly browned and gnocchi is bubbly. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.
- Serve with French Bread: Serve the hot gnocchi bake with 8-10 slices of French bread on the side for dipping and enjoy the cheesy, savory dish.
Notes
- For best flavor, slowly caramelize onions until deeply golden; patience yields sweeter onions.
- Using Gruyere cheese provides a richer, nuttier flavor than Swiss cheese.
- Day-old French bread works best for dipping due to its texture.
- If using frozen gnocchi, no need to thaw before cooking; just simmer until tender.
- Adjust salt and pepper seasoning according to taste after simmering the gnocchi.
Keywords: French onion gnocchi, baked gnocchi recipe, caramelized onion gnocchi, cheesy gnocchi bake, comfort food, easy dinner recipes
