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Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi – Easy Dinner Idea

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This Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi combines the rich flavors of French Onion Soup with the comforting texture of gnocchi. It’s a hearty and satisfying dish that’s surprisingly easy to prepare.

Ingredients

  • Shelf-stable potato gnocchi
  • Sweet onions (Vidalia, Walla Walla, or yellow onions)
  • Rich beef broth
  • Gruyere cheese
  • Heavy cream (or half-and-half)
  • Freshly minced garlic
  • Dried thyme
  • Bay leaf
  • Balsamic vinegar (or non-alcoholic red wine substitute)
  • All-purpose flour
  • Butter or olive oil
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Pepper
  • Worcestershire sauce (optional)
  • Mozzarella cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. First things first, peel and slice your onions thinly. Uniform slices will help them cook down evenly.
  2. Melt a couple of tablespoons of butter or olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet (or a Dutch oven) over medium-low heat. Add your sliced onions, a pinch of salt, and a little sugar. Stir occasionally, allowing the onions to slowly soften, then turn golden, and finally a deep, rich brown. This process takes anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes, sometimes even an hour.
  3. Once the onions are beautifully caramelized, add your minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant. Sprinkle in the flour and stir well, cooking for about 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
  4. Pour in your beef broth and the splash of balsamic vinegar. Stir constantly, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the bay leaf and dried thyme. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream until fully incorporated. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed. Remove the bay leaf.
  6. Gently stir the shelf-stable gnocchi directly into the warm sauce in your skillet. Make sure all the gnocchi are submerged and coated evenly.
  7. If your skillet isn't oven-safe, transfer the gnocchi and sauce to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the shredded Gruyere (and any additional cheese like mozzarella, if using) over the top.
  8. Place the skillet or baking dish into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the gnocchi are tender, the sauce is bubbly, and the cheese topping is melted, golden brown, and delightfully crusty.
  9. Let it rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven. Then, scoop out generous portions and enjoy your comforting Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi.

Nutrition

Keywords: Embrace the onion caramelization for deeper flavor. Use shelf-stable potato gnocchi for best results. Don't skimp on the cheese for a perfect crust. Consider adding Worcestershire sauce for extra umami depth.

Find it online: https://softtasty.com/simple-baked-french-onion-gnocchi-easy-dinner-idea/