Cheesy Gnocchi Casserole

This casserole is ooey, gooey, and cheesy - everything you could want in a dish! Tender gnocchi is smothered in a delicious cheese sauce, and mushrooms, and then topped with even more cheese. It's the perfect comfort food for a cold night.

With so much creaminess and flavor, it is the perfect meal for any night of the week! It’s simple to make, and it’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.

If you like this idea, you might also like this creamy potato and mushroom casserole. So much flavor and is super easy to make and serve on a weeknight.

white oval baking dish of gnocchi casserole sitting on cutting board

What Do You Eat with Cheesy Gnocchi?

Whether you’re looking for a main dish or a side dish, this pasta casserole is a great option. While it could be enough all by itself, it's usually so rich you want to cut that with a simple side dish or a lean protein entree.

If you’re serving it as a main dish, I recommend pairing it with a simple side salad, some bread, and maybe some steamed broccoli. Recipes like this pair perfectly with greens like broccoli or even this asparagus casserole.

If you’re looking for a heartier meal, you could also pair this casserole with something like this garlic herb chicken breasts, or your favorite roasted pork or beef. And if you want to keep it vegetarian, that’s totally fine too! This dish is delicious and satisfying on its own.

mushrooms and gnocchi in a cream sauce in white baking dish sitting on wood cutting board

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small white onion
1 cup diced ham
1 ½ cups chopped oyster mushrooms
⅔ cup mushroom or vegetable stock
1 pound gnocchi (500 g) (pre-cooked)
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup cream cheese
1 cup shredded white cheddar
½ cup water
4 fresh basil leaves

Optional: Additional ¼ cup cheddar for the top when baking.

white bowls of ingredients on gray tablecloth

Kitchen Tools You May Need

image looking down at baking dish filled with gnocchi mushrooms and cheese

How to Make Cheesy Gnocchi Casserole

Start with pre-cooked gnocchi, or cook according to the package directions, drain, and set aside. Then, spray your baking dish (I used a 10" pan) with non-stick spray and set it aside. You will be broiling this at the end, but if your oven needs to preheat for that setting, then go ahead and preheat at this point.

Now, in a large skillet, you will melt the butter over medium heat. Once it has melted, stir in the onions and cook them for 2 to 3 minutes until they are translucent.

Add the chopped mushrooms to the pan with the onions and stir together. Cook, stirring on occasion, for another 10 minutes. You want the excess moisture from the mushrooms to evaporate.

Now, add the ham to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, just until the ham is heated through and everything is beginning to brown.

To the skillet, add the gnocchi. Then pour in the mushroom or vegetable broth, heavy cream, and water. Stir this together, and reduce the heat to low. Now, cook this for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until it has begun thickening.

cream added to gnocchi and vegetabels in black skillet

Next, add in the shredded cheddar and cream cheese. Stir this together until the sauce is coating everything well, then pour it into the prepared baking dish.

wooden spoon spreading gnocchi casserole in white oval baking dish

Sprinkle the top with additional cheese if desired, then broil for 4 to 5 minutes until the top is golden brown and everything is heated through.

I like to serve with a sprinkle of fresh chopped basil and a drizzle of olive oil on top. Freshly cracked black pepper compliments this dish well.

round blue plate of creamy gnocchi casserole

Chef's Tip

Want to save time and clean up? Use a Dutch oven to prepare this recipe instead of a skillet and baking dish. You can combine everything, then just top with cheese and pop the entire thing into the oven. One pan = less mess!

If you want more recipes like this that are great for your Dutch Oven, then check out my book, The Complete Dutch Oven Cookbook for 105 recipes that are ideal for this versatile kitchen tool.

black spoon in bowl of creamy gnocchi casserole

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gnocchi Healthier Than Pasta?

When it comes to gnocchi vs pasta, it really depends on your personal preferences. If you’re looking for a healthier option, then gnocchi is the way to go. Gnocchi is made with potato, which is a whole grain, and it has fewer calories and carbs than traditional pasta.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more traditional Italian dish, then pasta is the way to go. Pasta is made with wheat flour, and it has a higher carb and calorie count than gnocchi.

Either way, they can both be added to your menu as a healthy option that is tasty and convenient.

Do I Need to Pre-Cook Gnocchi Before Baking?

While it is not absolutely necessary, I prefer to cook mine before I make this casserole so it is nice and soft and fluffy once done broiling. If you plan to bake the casserole for longer, then you can definitely skip the pre-cooking option.

Can I Use Homemade Gnocchi For This Casserole?

If you have homemade gnocchi on hand, you can absolutely use it for this casserole. Homemade gnocchi is usually larger and more dense than store-bought gnocchi, so you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. The best way to test if the gnocchi is done is to insert a fork into the center of the casserole. If the fork comes out clean, then the gnocchi is cooked through.

If you don’t have homemade gnocchi, you can use store-bought gnocchi. I recommend using a good quality brand like DeLallo or Mario Batali. These brands can be found in the pasta aisle of your local grocery store, but sometimes can be found where refrigerated pasta and sauces are located near the dairy products.

oval baking dish of creamy gnocchi sitting on wood cutting board

More Easy Pasta Recipes

Pasta is a staple in our home as it probably is in yours. If you are looking for something else to add to your pasta night menu, then check out some more of our favorite recipes below. A fun pasta casserole is a great addition to your weeknight meal plan. Make sure that you bookmark these ideas, print out the tutorials, or pin them to Pinterest to make soon.

Yield: 6

Cheesy Gnocchi Casserole

This delicious cheesy gnocchi casserole with mushrooms is packed with protein and flavor in every bite!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small white onion, diced
1 cup diced ham
1 ½ cups chopped oyster mushrooms
⅔ cup mushroom stock
1 pound gnocchi (500 g)
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup cream cheese
1 cup shredded white cheddar
½ cup water
4 fresh basil leaves

Instructions

Spray a 10" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray on the bottom and sides then set it aside.
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the onions and stir, cooking for another 3 minutes until they are just turning translucent.
Next, add the chopped mushrooms to the pan, and cook for 10-minutes. Stir regularly cooking until all excess moisture has evaporated.
Stir the ham into the vegetables and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until the ham is browned and heated through.
Add in pre-cooked gnocchi and stir to combine.
Pour in the mushroom stock, heavy cream, and water. Stir to combine then reduce the heat to low and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Once the sauce has thickened, add in the shredded cheddar and cream cheese. Stir together and then pour into the prepared baking dish.
Cook on broil for 4 to 5 minutes just until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Serve with an additional drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sliced fresh basil.