Name: Baked French Onion Gnocchi Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: French-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 tablespoons vegan butter (or regular butter); 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried); 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 1/2 cup vegetable broth; 1/2 cup heavy cream or plant-based cream; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1 package (16 oz) potato gnocchi; 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese or dairy-free alternative; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast (for vegan version); Chopped parsley (for garnish)

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Baked French Onion Gnocchi is the ultimate comfort food mashup, combining the rich, caramelized flavors of classic French onion soup with pillowy gnocchi and gooey, golden cheese—all baked together until bubbling and utterly irresistible. This French-inspired dish takes everything you love about cozy casseroles and gives it a gourmet twist, making it perfect for impressing guests or just treating yourself to a seriously satisfying weeknight dinner.

Baked French Onion Gnocchi Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe proves how a handful of simple ingredients can come together to create layers of flavor and texture. Each component has its secret superpower here, so don’t skip or skimp—every one really does make a difference in the final Baked French Onion Gnocchi.

Olive oil: Helps the onions caramelize to buttery perfection and lays the flavor foundation for the whole dish.
Vegan butter (or regular butter): Adds richness and depth, marrying the onions with a luxurious mouthfeel.
Yellow onions: Thinly sliced and slow-cooked, these are the star ingredient, giving you that unmistakable French onion flavor.
Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the sweet, savory notes in the onions.
Fresh thyme leaves (or dried): A little herbaceousness that uplifts everything and balances the savory, cheesy notes.
Balsamic vinegar: Just a splash deepens the flavor and adds a tantalizing hint of tang.
Vegetable broth: Deglazes the pan, scooping up all those beautiful caramelized onion bits for maximum flavor.
Heavy cream or plant-based cream: Creaminess makes the sauce irresistibly silky and ties all the flavors together.
Dijon mustard: Adds an undercurrent of tang and complexity—it’s the quiet hero of this dish.
Potato gnocchi: Ready-to-cook gnocchi soak up all the sauce while baking and get perfectly pillowy.
Shredded Gruyère cheese or dairy-free alternative: Gruyère melts like a dream, adding those signature nutty, melty pulls.
Grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast: Brings salty, umami-rich depth—choose nutritional yeast for vegan magic.
Chopped parsley (for garnish): Adds a pop of fresh color and a touch of brightness to finish.

How to Make Baked French Onion Gnocchi

Step 1: Caramelize the Onions Like a Pro

Start by heating the olive oil and vegan butter together in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions, salt, and pepper, then let them cook low and slow, stirring often for about 20 to 25 minutes. Patience is key here—the onions should turn deep golden and smell sweet, transforming into the flavor powerhouse that makes Baked French Onion Gnocchi so addictive.

Step 2: Add Layers of Flavor

When the onions are caramelized, stir in the thyme and balsamic vinegar. The thyme brings a little earthiness, while the balsamic brightens and deepens everything at once. Next, pour in the vegetable broth to deglaze, scraping up any delicious brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Let the mixture simmer for a couple minutes—the aroma will make your mouth water!

Step 3: Stir in the Creamy Sauce

Reduce the heat a bit and stir in the heavy cream (or plant-based cream) along with the Dijon mustard. Simmer for another two minutes—the sauce should thicken just slightly, coating every strand of onion in silkiness. This is the part where magic happens and the dish gets that classic French onion soup richness with a twist.

Step 4: Add the Gnocchi

Add the uncooked gnocchi straight into the skillet with your onion-cream sauce. Toss to coat the gnocchi thoroughly, making sure every little dumpling gets snuggled up in those luscious flavors. No need to boil the gnocchi beforehand—they’ll cook up perfectly as the casserole bakes.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

Preheat your oven to 375°F if you haven’t yet. Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish and pour in the gnocchi mixture. Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère (or your dairy-free shreds) evenly over the top, then add a generous dusting of Parmesan or nutritional yeast for an ultra-savory, golden crust. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and caramelized—resist the urge to dive in too soon!

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Let the Baked French Onion Gnocchi cool for a few minutes after removing from the oven. Sprinkle over some chopped parsley for color and freshness, then scoop generous servings into bowls and enjoy every melty, decadent bite!

How to Serve Baked French Onion Gnocchi

Garnishes

Finish your Baked French Onion Gnocchi with a generous handful of fresh parsley or thyme. Want it to look restaurant-worthy? Try adding a tumble of crispy fried onions on top right before serving—the crunch takes it over the top!

Side Dishes

This dish is rich and savory, so pair it with something fresh and light. A simple green salad tossed in lemony vinaigrette or a platter of steamed green beans with a squeeze of lemon will balance the flavors and offer a satisfying refresh between bites.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, bake your Baked French Onion Gnocchi in individual ramekins for a charming, personal touch. Or, serve it family-style straight from the oven-to-table skillet for a cozy, shareable vibe—just let everyone dig in!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Baked French Onion Gnocchi keeps beautifully in the fridge. Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days—the flavors deepen as it sits, so day-two portions are sometimes even better!

Freezing

If you want to stash some away, portion the cooled casserole into freezer-safe containers. It’ll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and enjoy hearty, no-fuss dinners whenever the craving hits.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven, covered, until bubbly and warmed through—about 20 minutes. For single servings, a quick spin in the microwave works, but finish under the broiler if you want to revive that crispy, golden top.

FAQs

Can I use homemade gnocchi?

Absolutely! If you have homemade gnocchi on hand, swap it in for the packaged kind—just add it to the sauce uncooked, exactly as you would with store-bought. It will cook perfectly as the dish bakes.

Is Baked French Onion Gnocchi gluten-free?

Many brands offer gluten-free gnocchi, so if you use one of those and double-check that your other ingredients are gluten-free, this dish is easy to adapt for gluten-sensitive friends and family.

What cheeses work best?

Gruyère is traditional and melts beautifully, giving the dish its signature nutty flavor. For a vegan version, any melty plant-based cheese works. Don’t skip the Parmesan or nutritional yeast topping—that depth of flavor is key.

Can I make Baked French Onion Gnocchi ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the casserole a day ahead, keep it covered in the fridge, and bake just before serving. This makes it fantastic for meal prepping or dinner parties.

What can I substitute for cream?

If you prefer a lighter sauce, try half-and-half, full-fat coconut milk, or cashew cream for a vegan touch. Any of these options will still give you a beautifully silky texture and rich flavor.

Final Thoughts

If you love cozy, cheesy casseroles and crave deep, savory flavors, Baked French Onion Gnocchi is about to become your new favorite recipe. Don’t be surprised if it gets requested again and again—few things are as comforting or impressive as this French-inspired twist on gnocchi. Tuck in, and savor every gooey, caramelized bite!

Baked French Onion Gnocchi Recipe

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4.5 from 14 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the comforting flavors of French onion soup with this twist on classic gnocchi. Caramelized onions, creamy sauce, and gooey cheese make this baked dish a satisfying meal for any night of the week.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Caramelized Onions:

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons vegan butter (or regular butter)
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

For the Sauce and Gnocchi:

1/2 cup vegetable broth
1/2 cup heavy cream or plant-based cream
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 package (16 oz) potato gnocchi
1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese or dairy-free alternative
1/4 cup grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast (for vegan version)
Chopped parsley (for garnish)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil and vegan butter. Add onions, salt, and pepper. Cook until caramelized.
Stir in thyme, balsamic vinegar, and vegetable broth. Simmer.
Add cream and Dijon mustard. Cook until slightly thickened.
Add uncooked gnocchi to the skillet, coat evenly, then transfer to a baking dish.
Top with cheeses. Bake until golden and bubbly.
Cool slightly, garnish with parsley, and serve.