Making a Gnocchi Casserole with Cheese
We made a Gnocchi Casserole with cheese on the weekend after finding some gnocchi made with herbs. It turned out really yummy.
Casseroles are actually a nice choice for dinner. You can prep it early and put it in the fridge until you want to bake it. And the casserole only needs to be in the oven for 20-30min. It is also a good way to use up leftovers by layering everything in the casserole dish and topping it with cheese.
In this case we planned on making the casserole. We bought gnocchi, frozen veggies ital. style, pulled chicken and cheese. The frozen veggies are so practical. Always ready to use. But you can use fresh veggies as well. My mix contained zucchini, bell peppers, green beans, onions and olives. I would have added tomatos, but we were out 🙂 So mix and match as you like best.
For the special taste slightly brown the gnocchi before putting them into the casserole dish. If you use a spiced oil, such as garlic oil, it turnes out even better. I also like to fry the veggies first. It does take a little time, but it is worth it. If you are pressed for time leave the frying steps out and layer the gnocchi and fresh veggies in the dish as they are. Here you can already spice everything and add the broth and milk. Or you make the sauce seperately, if you like that better.
However I found that frozen veggies are best once you have heated them in the microwave oven or the frying pan and get rid of excess liquid. Using them frozen adds too much liqid in the dish and the baking time takes longer.
The last layer of the gnocchi casserole is the cheese. Sprinkle on according to taste and bake for 20-30min at 350°F/180°C.
For the restaurant look and extra taste serve it with cream balsamico. You can buy it in most supermarkets and store any leftovers in the fridge. Yummy!
Gnocchi Casserole with Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 pck fresh gnocchi
- 1 pck frozen veggies ital. style any other works as well
- 1 lb pulled chicken
- 1 pck shredded cheese or as much as you llike
- 1 cup chicken or veggie broth
- 1/2 cup milk or cream optional
- spices according to your taste
- salt
- pepper
- 4 tbsp oil
- cream balsamico top your servings with balsamico
Instructions
- Slightly brown the gnocchi with 2 tbsp of oil. Set aside.
- Now slightly fry the veggies with 2 tbsp of oil. You can add the spices and the broth + milk right here or make the sauce seperately.
- Layer everything in the casserole dish. Start with the gnocchi. If you like them on the top layer as well, save about 1/3. Then add the chicken and then the veggies. You can also save some chicken and add it on top of the veggies. If you made the sauce seperately pour it evenly over the veggies. Now add the saved gnocchi and add the shredded cheese.
- Bake for 20-30min at 350°F (180°C). Serve with balsamico cream.
