Introduction

This Simple Baked French Onion Gnocchi is a comforting dish that combines tender gnocchi with rich caramelized onions and melted Gruyere cheese. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it’s easy to prepare and full of delicious, savory flavors.

A white round dish filled with a thick brown onion soup base at the bottom, topped with several golden-brown crispy tater tots that are partly covered by a layer of melted and slightly browned cheese. Small green herb sprigs are placed on top for garnish. On the right side of the dish, three toasted white bread slices with a golden crust neatly rest. The dish is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/4 cup white wine
Salt
1 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
2 cups beef broth
Pepper
1 tbsp fresh minced thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb gnocchi (fresh or frozen)
1 large sweet onion (thinly sliced)
8-10 slices French bread (day-old works best)
1 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese (preferably Gruyere for deeper flavor)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the olive oil and unsalted butter together. Add the thinly sliced sweet onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Take your time—the slower you cook the onions, the sweeter and more flavorful they become.
Step 2: Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add the fresh minced thyme (or dried thyme) and beef broth, then bring the mixture to a simmer. Add the gnocchi and stir occasionally over medium heat until the gnocchi is tender and the sauce has thickened and reduced, about 5-10 minutes.
Step 3: Season the gnocchi mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer everything into a greased medium baking dish and spread it out evenly. Top with the shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese.
Step 4: Bake the assembled gnocchi at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is lightly browned and the gnocchi is bubbly. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Step 5: Serve the hot gnocchi bake with French bread slices on the side for dipping. Enjoy every cheesy, savory bite!

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian version, substitute the beef broth with vegetable broth.
Use Gruyere cheese for a deeper, nuttier flavor or Swiss cheese for a milder taste.
Slowly caramelize the onions over low heat to develop maximum sweetness and richness.
Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme on top before serving for a fresh herb touch.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through to maintain crisp edges and melty cheese. Avoid microwaving if possible to preserve texture.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with golden brown gnocchi covered in a thick layer of caramelized onions mixed with melted, creamy white cheese on top. A slice of toasted rustic bread with a light golden crust and soft, airy interior is placed inside the bowl, partly dipped into the gnocchi and melted cheese, garnished with a small green herb leaf on the bread. Two more slices of toasted bread with a similar texture and small green herb leaves rest in the foreground on a white marbled surface, with some sprigs of fresh green herbs scattered around for decoration. Another bowl with more gnocchi blurred in the background completes the scene. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen gnocchi for this recipe?

Yes, both fresh and frozen gnocchi work well. Just add a couple more minutes of cooking time in the skillet before baking if using frozen gnocchi.

What can I use instead of white wine?

If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute it with additional beef or vegetable broth plus a splash of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to add acidity.