If you’re searching for the ultimate cozy comfort food, look no further than Baked French Onion Gnocchi. This dish takes all the luscious, caramelized flavor of classic French onion soup and wraps it around tender pillows of potato gnocchi, all smothered in a bubbling blanket of melty cheese. It’s savory, creamy, and packed with irresistible textures—perfect for a chilly night in or an impressive dinner with friends. Whether you’re a gnocchi superfan or just love anything with golden, cheesy tops, this recipe is about to become your new favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of pantry staples and a few special touches, you’ll have everything necessary to create a dish that tastes like it came straight from a French bistro. Each ingredient here plays a starring role, from the sweet, slow-cooked onions to the rich blend of cheeses that make this Baked French Onion Gnocchi so memorable.
- Olive oil: Kicks off the onion caramelization with a bit of savory depth.
- Unsalted butter: Gives richness and classic French flavor to those golden onions.
- Yellow onions: Thinly sliced for maximum caramelization and sweetness.
- Salt: Essential for drawing out onion moisture and balancing flavors.
- Black pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and peppery finish.
- Sugar: Just a pinch helps onions caramelize to perfection.
- Fresh thyme leaves (or dried): Brings a fragrant, earthy note that pairs so well with onions and cheese.
- All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the creamy sauce for just the right consistency.
- Dry white wine (or broth): Deglazes the pan, pulling up every delicious browned bit for extra flavor.
- Low-sodium beef or vegetable broth: Deepens the sauce and echoes classic French onion soup.
- Heavy cream: Adds silky smoothness and just the right amount of indulgence.
- Potato gnocchi: Tender, chewy bites that soak up all the flavors—use shelf-stable or refrigerated.
- Shredded Gruyère cheese: The star cheese for meltiness and nutty flavor; classic to French onion soup.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Provides stretch and extra gooeyness.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, savory finish to the cheesy crust.
- Chopped parsley (optional): For a fresh, colorful garnish that brightens the final dish.
How to Make Baked French Onion Gnocchi
Step 1: Caramelize the Onions
Start by heating the olive oil and butter together in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted and the mixture is shimmering, add your thinly sliced onions, salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar. Stir everything together, then settle in—let the onions cook slowly for about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often. You want them deeply golden, sweet, and jammy, with all their natural sugars drawn out. This is the foundation of all great French onion flavor!
Step 2: Add Thyme and Flour
Once the onions are perfectly caramelized, sprinkle in the fresh thyme and let it bloom in the heat for about a minute. Then, dust the onions with flour and stir to coat. This step thickens your sauce later, ensuring the Baked French Onion Gnocchi is luscious and creamy—not watery.
Step 3: Deglaze with Wine
Pour in the white wine (or broth if you prefer), scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet. Let this simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, which both evaporates the alcohol and infuses the onions with even more flavor.
Step 4: Build the Sauce
Stir in the broth and heavy cream, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. The sauce should start to thicken slightly, creating a rich, velvety bath for your gnocchi.
Step 5: Cook the Gnocchi
Add the gnocchi straight into the skillet, making sure each piece is coated in the oniony, creamy sauce. Let them cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi are tender and the sauce is thickened just enough to cling to each bite.
Step 6: Top with Cheese and Bake
Turn off the heat and scatter the Gruyère, mozzarella, and Parmesan evenly over the top. Slide the skillet into a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and gloriously golden. The aroma alone will have everyone rushing to the table!
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley if you like, then serve your Baked French Onion Gnocchi warm and melty, straight from the skillet. Every bite is pure comfort.
How to Serve Baked French Onion Gnocchi
Garnishes
Nothing brightens up a cheesy, golden dish like a scatter of fresh parsley or a few extra thyme leaves on top. For a little crunch, try a handful of crispy fried onions or homemade croutons. The pop of color and freshness cuts through the richness beautifully.
Side Dishes
This Baked French Onion Gnocchi is rich and satisfying, so it pairs especially well with a crisp green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. Roasted broccoli, asparagus, or even simple steamed green beans make lovely sides that balance out the creamy, cheesy main.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve individual portions in mini gratin dishes or small cast iron skillets for a restaurant-style touch. For gatherings, scoop big, bubbling spoonfuls into shallow bowls and let guests help themselves. If you’re feeling playful, top each serving with a toasted baguette round—just like French onion soup!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Baked French Onion Gnocchi keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors meld even more overnight, so don’t be surprised if the leftovers taste even better the next day!
Freezing
If you want to freeze this dish, let it cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to two months. For best results, freeze before baking with the cheese topping—just add the cheese right before you bake it off for extra melty goodness.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the gnocchi back into a 350°F oven until hot and bubbly, about 20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions, but the oven helps revive that irresistible cheesy crust.
FAQs
Can I use homemade gnocchi instead of store-bought?
Absolutely! Homemade gnocchi will make this dish even more special. Just be sure to cook the gnocchi until tender in the sauce, as homemade versions can be a bit more delicate than store-bought.
What can I substitute for Gruyère cheese?
If you don’t have Gruyère, Swiss or fontina cheese are wonderful alternatives that still provide the same nutty, melty character. Use what you love and have on hand.
Is there a way to make this gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend, and make sure your gnocchi is gluten-free (many brands now offer this option). Everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free.
Can I make Baked French Onion Gnocchi ahead of time?
You can caramelize the onions and assemble the dish up to the point of baking, then cover and refrigerate it for up to a day. When you’re ready to eat, simply bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed to heat through.
What wine pairs best with this dish?
A crisp, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a lightly oaked Chardonnay complements the creamy cheese and caramelized onions perfectly. For red lovers, try a light Pinot Noir.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to experience the magic of Baked French Onion Gnocchi for yourself. It’s cozy, comforting, and guaranteed to impress anyone lucky enough to share your table. Give it a try and watch as it becomes the most-requested dish in your recipe rotation!
Print
Baked French Onion Gnocchi Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Baked French Onion Gnocchi recipe combines caramelized onions, tender potato gnocchi, and a trio of melted cheeses in a creamy, savory sauce. Baked to golden perfection, it’s an indulgent yet approachable comfort dish inspired by classic French onion soup flavors, ideal for a cozy main course.
Ingredients
For the Caramelized Onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
For the Sauce and Gnocchi
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (or broth)
- 1 cup low-sodium beef or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 package (16 oz) shelf-stable or refrigerated potato gnocchi
For the Cheese Topping
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare skillet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large oven-safe skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat to prepare for caramelizing the onions.
- Caramelize the onions: Add the thinly sliced onions along with salt, black pepper, and sugar to the pan. Cook, stirring often, for 20–25 minutes until the onions turn deeply golden and caramelized, developing a rich sweetness and color.
- Add thyme and flour: Stir in the fresh thyme leaves and cook for another minute to release their aroma. Then sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the onions and stir thoroughly to evenly coat and create a roux base for thickening the sauce.
- Deglaze the pan: Pour in the white wine and use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the pan bottom. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly and meld flavors.
- Simmer with broth and cream: Add the low-sodium broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the sauce to a low simmer to thicken gently, creating a creamy consistency that will coat the gnocchi.
- Cook the gnocchi: Stir in the potato gnocchi and cook for 5–7 minutes, until the gnocchi become tender and the sauce thickens further, ensuring every bite is full of flavor.
- Add cheese and bake: Turn off the heat and evenly sprinkle the shredded Gruyère, mozzarella, and grated Parmesan over the top of the gnocchi mixture. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can caramelize the onions ahead of time to reduce preparation time when ready to cook.
- Gruyère cheese may be substituted with Swiss or fontina cheese depending on availability or preference.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables to round out the meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
