30 Minute One Pan Broccoli Gnocchi

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This broccoli gnocchi is the perfect easy dinner. Tender broccoli and gnocchi in a creamy cheese sauce create a delicious, effortless meal. Add extra veggies or chicken for variety. Enjoy a satisfying dish the whole family will love.

Broccoli Gnocchi in a skillet baked with cheese.

You'll also love my baked gnocchi, chorizo gnocchi, pan-fried gnocchi, and this easy spinach gnocchi.

Table of Contents

Jump to:

⭐️ Why this recipe works
🧾 Ingredients overview
👩🏻‍🍳 Here's how to make it
📖 Variations
💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips
🍯 Storing and reheating leftovers
❓FAQ
30 Minute One Pan Broccoli Gnocchi

⭐️ Why this recipe works

Quick and Easy: This recipe requires minimal prep and cooking time, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Nutritious: Broccoli adds a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals, making this dish both delicious and nutritious.
Creamy Texture: The combination of cream cheese and mozzarella creates a rich, creamy sauce that clings perfectly to the gnocchi.
Versatile: Easily customisable with your favourite vegetables or proteins, allowing you to make it your own.
Family-Favourite: The cheesy, creamy flavours are universally loved, making it a hit with kids and adults.

🧾 Ingredients overview

Shelf-stable gnocchi: Provides the base for the dish, offering a chewy texture that complements the creamy sauce.
Olive oil: Adds richness and helps to cook the gnocchi to a golden brown.
Broccoli: Adds a fresh, slightly crunchy element and boosts the nutritional value.
Vegetable stock: Creates the sauce base, adding depth of flavour.
Cream cheese: Provides creaminess and a tangy flavour that blends well with the other ingredients.
Grated mozzarella: Melts into the sauce for added creaminess and forms a golden, bubbly topping when grilled.

For precise measurements and additional ingredients, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

👩🏻‍🍳 Here's how to make it

30 Minute One Pan Broccoli Gnocchi recipe step-by-step

Blanch the Broccoli: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and blanch for 3-5 minutes until tender but still crisp. Drain and rinse under cold water, then set aside.

Pan fried gnocchi and some vegetable stock.

Prepare the Gnocchi: In an oven-safe dish, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. This should only take a minute or 2. Add the gnocchi and toss to coat in the oil, cooking until golden, about 2 minutes.

Creamy broccoli gnocchi in a pan with cheese.

Make the Sauce: Pour in the vegetable stock and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the cream cheese until melted and combined with the stock, forming a creamy sauce. Mix in half of the grated mozzarella and stir until melted.
Combine Ingredients: Add the blanched broccoli to the pan and stir to coat with the creamy sauce. Scatter the remaining mozzarella over the top.
Grill: Place the dish under the grill for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and the sauce is bubbling at the edges.
Serve: Optionally, sprinkle with parmesan cheese before serving.

📖 Variations

Vegetables: Add in spinach or kale for more veggies and a different flavour profile.
Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free cream cheese and mozzarella to make the dish vegan.
Protein Addition: Add cooked chicken or sausage for extra protein.

💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips

Drawing on a decade of experience in Michelin-starred kitchens and Cordon Bleu training, I have compiled my top tips for recipe success.

Add a Crunch: Sprinkle breadcrumbs mixed with a bit of olive oil and herbs on top before grilling for a crispy topping.
Balance the Sauce: If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of milk or more stock to reach the desired consistency.
Flavour Boost: Add a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce for an extra layer of flavour.

🍯 Storing and reheating leftovers

Fridge: Store the cooled gnocchi in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: To reheat, place the gnocchi in an oven-safe dish and warm in a 180ºC (350ºF) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway.

❓FAQ

Can I bake gnocchi without boiling it first?

This is by far the most asked question when people are cooking the gnocchi. Absolutely. You can bake it without boiling it first. And in many cases, that's actually preferable. When making most baked gnocchi recipes, the dumplings cook right in the sauce, meaning you can skip the boiling. I explain that in this recipe for pan-fried gnocchi.

Is store-bought gnocchi already cooked?

Usually, no not unless specified. Gnocchi is made up of potatoes (these are cooked before the gnocchi dough is made), and flour. Gnocchi is often boiled to cook it or baked to cook the flour part of the gnocchi. This only takes a couple of minutes.

How can you tell when gnocchi is cooked?

When boiling gnocchi, the dumplings are cooked when the rise to the surface of the water. This usually only takes about 3-5 minutes.
Take care to not over cook the gnocchi as it will turn mushy and soggy.

Looking for other gnocchi recipes like this? Try these:

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