Baked Gnocchi Mac and Cheese

I whipped up this baked gnocchi tonight on a whim and it's so deliciously creamy and buttery--I think the only way mac and cheese could be better is to add potatoes. This recipe covers all the comfort food bases for me.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 245 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 ¼ cups milk
• 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
• 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• ½ cup panko bread crumbs
• 1 (16 ounce) package potato gnocchi
• ¾ cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook gnocchi in the boiling water until they float to the top, 2 to 4 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 1 1/2- to 2-quart casserole dish.

Step 3

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour until incorporated and foamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add milk, cream, salt, and pepper; stir constantly until thickened and gently bubbling, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup of Cheddar cheese and mozzarella.

Step 4

Drop gnocchi into the prepared casserole dish and cover with cheese mixture. Mix together bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter in a small bowl; sprinkle over the casserole. Top with remaining Cheddar and Parmesan cheese.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until the top is browned and cheese is bubbling, about 20 minutes.