Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi Recipe
This Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi recipe combines tender gnocchi with deeply caramelized sweet onions, a rich beef broth and white wine sauce, fresh thyme, and melted Gruyere cheese baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a comforting, savory meal served alongside crusty French bread.
- 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
Caramelized Onions
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 large sweet onion (thinly sliced)
Sauce and Gnocchi
- 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
Topping and Serving
- 1 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese (Gruyere preferred for deeper flavor)
- 8–10 slices French bread (day-old works best, for serving)
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: 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. Slow cooking enhances the sweetness and flavor.
- Deglaze and Simmer the Gnocchi: Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the fresh minced thyme (or dried thyme) and beef broth, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in the gnocchi and cook over medium heat until the gnocchi is tender and the sauce thickens and reduces, about 5-10 minutes.
- Season and Assemble for Baking: Season the gnocchi mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer everything into a greased medium baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top with the shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese for a rich, melty finish.
- Bake the Gnocchi: Bake in the preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is lightly browned and bubbly, and the gnocchi bake is heated through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
- Serve with French Bread: Serve the hot baked gnocchi alongside 8-10 slices of day-old French bread to dip into the savory sauce. Enjoy the cheesy, comforting dish!
Notes
- Using Gruyere cheese enhances the flavor with its deep nutty notes but Swiss cheese works well too.
- Day-old French bread is ideal as it holds up well for dipping without getting soggy.
- Slowly caramelizing the onions is key to developing their sweetness and depth in flavor.
- You can substitute beef broth with vegetable broth to make it a bit lighter.
- This dish is best served immediately but can be reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
Keywords: French onion gnocchi, baked gnocchi, caramelized onion recipe, Gruyere cheese gnocchi, comfort food, French cuisine
