Southern Baked Gnocchi Mac + Cheese
Dive into the ultimate comfort food experience with our Southern Baked Gnocchi Mac + Cheese recipe! This dish combines the creaminess of classic mac and cheese with the pillowy softness of gnocchi, all crowned with a crispy, golden topping. A beautiful twist on a classic dish that is sure to be a staple in your household. Gluten-free, Vegan + Make-Ahead Option.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 332kcal
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz.) pacakage potato gnocchi, homemade or store-bought
MAC + CHEESE SAUCE:
- 3 Tbsps unsalted butter
- 3 Tbsps organic all-purpose flour
- 2 cups Almond milk, unsweetened (You can use whole milk or your fave plant-based milk)
- 2 cups Mild cheddar cheese, grated or shredded
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, grated or shredded
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
TOPPINGS:
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, grated or shredded
- ½ cup organic breadcrumbs, store-bought or homemade
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
Instructions
TO MAKE THE CREAMY MAC + CHEESE SAUCE:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a deep skillet over medium-high heat, add butter and let it melt. Once melted, add flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper, whisking until combined and "paste-like".
- Slowly pour in the milk, whisking frequently until lump-free, about 2-3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add in the freshly-grated mild cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring (using a wood spoon or spatula) until fully melted and smooth, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add in the uncooked gnocchi and stir everything together until the gnocchi is fully coated. Remove from heat.
MIX TOGETHER BREADCRUMB-CRACKER TOPPING:
- In a bowl, add the breadcrumbs and crushed Ritz crackers, stirring to combine.
ASSEMBLE + BAKE:
- OPTION #1: Prepare ramekins (larger ones for 2 servings or smaller ones for 4 servings) by greasing each with butter or oil and placing them onto a baking sheet to avoid any "bubbling over". Then carefully, portion out the mac + cheese gnocchi mixture into each ramekin until filled. Generously top with shredded mozzarella cheese and breadcrumb-cracker mixture.
- OPTION #2: In the same skillet, sprinkle the mozzarella cheese atop everything followed by the breadcrumb-cracker mixture until fully covered.
- Bake (without being covered) for 15-20 minutes or so, or until cheese has fully melted, the top is browned slightly, and the sauce is bubbly at the sides. NOTE: The gnocchi will be fully cooked and might "peak out" at the sides as they swell.
- Remove from oven and serve with your favorite main dish, salad, etc.
- Bon Appetit!
Notes
- STORAGE: Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. To re-heat, simply heat in the oven for the best results or microwave for a minute or two until heated through.
- MAKE AHEAD: See FAQ section for details!
- GREENS: To add a bit more flavor to this dish, you can always feel free to add in your favorite greens such as spinach, kale, collards, or broccoli
- DAIRY-FREE + GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: See FAQ section for details!
Nutrition
Calories: 332kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 1266mg | Potassium: 100mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 843IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 814mg | Iron: 1mg