Ingredients
Sauce and Gnocchi
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced thyme
- 1 3/4 cups beef broth
- 1 lb gnocchi
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping and Serving
- 1 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyère cheese
- 8–10 slices French bread, toasted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the assembled gnocchi dish.
- Caramelize Onions: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the sliced sweet onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are deeply caramelized and golden brown, which should take about 20 minutes. This step builds the rich base flavor for the sauce.
- Deglaze and Add Flavor: Pour in 1/4 cup beef broth and apple cider vinegar to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom with a wooden spoon for extra flavor. Stir in the fresh thyme and remaining 1 3/4 cups beef broth, then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook Gnocchi: Add the gnocchi to the simmering sauce. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is tender and the sauce has thickened and reduced, about 5–10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the gnocchi and sauce mixture to a lightly greased baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the shredded Swiss or Gruyère cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned on top.
- Serve: Serve the baked French onion gnocchi hot, accompanied by the toasted French bread slices for dipping into the rich sauce. Enjoy this hearty and comforting meal!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute beef broth with vegetable broth and use vegetarian cheese.
- Caramelizing the onions slowly over medium heat is key for developing deep, sweet flavors.
- Ensure gnocchi is cooked just until tender during simmering to avoid overcooking in the oven.
- You can use either Swiss or Gruyère cheese or a mix, depending on your preference for a nuttier or milder flavor.
- To save time, use store-bought gnocchi and pre-sliced onions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired