Gnocchi Mac and Cheese

Name: Gnocchi Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 package (17-1/2 ounces) potato gnocchi (about 4 cups); 3 teaspoons salt, divided; 2 teaspoons olive oil; 1/3 cup butter; 1 teaspoon ground mustard; 1/2 teaspoon white pepper; 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 3 cups 2% milk; 8 ounces fontina cheese, grated; 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, grated; 2 ounces Asiago cheese, grated; BREAD CRUMB TOPPING:; 1-1/2 cups panko bread crumbs; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 3 tablespoons butter, melted

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Cook: 30 min.

Yield 8 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

Gnocchi mac and cheese might be the most indulgent mac and cheese ever. Instead of regular noodles, the recipe is made with tender potato dumplings and three kinds of Italian cheese.

Ingredients

1 package (17-1/2 ounces) potato gnocchi (about 4 cups)
3 teaspoons salt, divided
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/3 cup butter
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups 2% milk
8 ounces fontina cheese, grated
4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, grated
2 ounces Asiago cheese, grated
BREAD CRUMB TOPPING:
1-1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease a 13x9-in. baking dish.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 2 teaspoons salt to the water. Add gnocchi; cook for half the time listed on the package directions, about 1-2 minutes. Drain; transfer to a large bowl. Add olive oil; toss to coat. Set aside.
Heat butter in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Whisk in ground mustard, pepper, sage, garlic powder and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Whisk in flour; cook until lightly browned, 1-2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk; bring to a simmer, whisking constantly. Cook until thickened, 4-5 minutes, whisking frequently.
Stir in fontina, mozzarella and Asiago cheeses until melted and smooth. Fold in gnocchi. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs, melted butter and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle in an even layer over the gnocchi.
Bake 30-35 minutes or until bread crumbs are golden brown and cheese sauce is bubbling. Let cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 546 calories, 31g fat (18g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 1229mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.

Gnocchi mac and cheese is quite possibly the most indulgent mac and cheese ever! Swapping the regular noodles for potato dumplings is a creative exchange that makes mac and cheese feel brand new again. —Nancy Mock, Southbridge, Massachusetts

Recipe Creator

Community Cook