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Baked Little Gnocchi with Cheese

17/11/2023

Baked Little Gnocchi with Cheese is a rich and comforting dish, perfect for cheese lovers. Here I provide you with a basic recipe for this delicious dish, with a classic Italian twist.

Ingredients

  • 500 g of little gnocchi (you can use potato gnocchi if you prefer, but the little gnocchi are smaller and more suitable for this kind of dish)
  • 100 g of Fontina cheese, grated
  • 100 g of Emmental cheese, grated
  • 100 g of Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 200 ml of cooking cream
  • Nutmeg, to taste
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Butter, for greasing the baking dish

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
  2. Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a boil. Cook the little gnocchi according to the package instructions, being careful not to overcook them as they will continue to cook in the oven. After cooking, drain the little gnocchi.
  3. In the meantime, in a saucepan, heat the cream over medium heat. As soon as it begins to simmer, lower the heat and add the Fontina and Emmental, stirring until the cheeses have completely melted. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.
  4. Grease the baking dish with some butter.
  5. Place the drained little gnocchi in the baking dish and pour the cheese sauce over them. Gently mix to ensure that each little gnoccho is covered with sauce.
  6. Sprinkle the surface with grated Parmesan cheese and a few butter flakes.
  7. Bake the little gnocchi for about 20-25 minutes, or until the surface is gratinéed and golden to your liking.
  8. Once gratinéed, let the little gnocchi rest for a few minutes before serving.

Trivia

The term “gratin” comes from the French “gratin,” referring to the cooking technique that consists of creating a crispy crust on the surface, usually through the use of cheese and/or breadcrumbs, under the direct action of the oven heat (or a salamander). In the case of Baked Little Gnocchi with Cheese, this crust is formed thanks to the cheese melting and becoming golden and crispy.

If you desire an even more Italian touch, you might consider adding a sprinkle of Gorgonzola to enrich the flavor of the cheese sauce.

Baked Little Gnocchi with Cheese