This Creamy Gnocchi Alfredo with Broccoli is one of my all-time favorite easy gnocchi recipes. These little dumplings in the creamy sauce are ready in 16 minutes! Keep it in your quick cooking arsenal when you want a hearty, satisfying and quick meal.
Gnocchi is such a filling and easy meal. Here are a few more of my favorites: sausage gnocchi sheet pan and my gnocchi and peas.
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Why this Creamy Gnocchi Alfredo Recipe is a Keeper
When my family is hungry and want something that will satisfy them and make them all happy. Then this is the recipe that I go to.
- 30 Minute Meal: This recipe is quick and easy! The hardest part is cooking gnocchi according to package directions.
- Relatively Quick to Prepare: While a homemade Alfredo sauce is best, it comes together fairly quickly. Gnocchi also cooks rapidly. This makes it a satisfying meal that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen.
- Simple Ingredient List: The core Alfredo sauce requires just a few key ingredients that are usually readily available. Gnocchi, whether store-bought or homemade (though homemade takes more time), is also a straightforward ingredient.
- One-Pot (or Mostly One-Pot) Potential: You can often cook the gnocchi in the same pot you make the sauce (after removing the sauce temporarily), minimizing cleanup. Add the gnocchi when the sauce is bubbling.
- Adaptable to Skill Level: Whether you opt for store-bought sauce and gnocchi for a super easy weeknight meal or venture into making either from scratch, the basic concept remains accessible.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This traditional italian pasta dish is generally well-loved by both adults and children, making it a reliable option for family dinners or casual gatherings.
What are gnocchi?
They are a soft, pillowy, chewy dumplings, and they’re a type of pasta in Italian cooking. Think of them as small, often oval-shaped, and a bit chewy.They can be smooth, or they might have little ridges on them. These ridges are often made by pressing the gnocchi against a fork or a special ridged board. The ridges help the sauce stick to the gnocchi.
Pro Tip to Make Alfredo Sauce
White Wine : A splash of dry white wine after sautéing the garlic can add complexity, stirring constantly. Let it reduce slightly before adding the cream.
Ingredient Notes and Gnocchi Alfredo Variation Suggestions
This delectable pasta dish takes only a few simple ingredients and is eassy to make your own.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Potato Gnocchi: You can use frozen, make homemade gnocchi or the shelf-stable gnocchi varieties.
- VARIATION: This recipe can be made with spinach gnocchi, cheese gnocchi, cauliflower gnocchi or sweet potato gnocchi.
- Broccoli: I use fresh broccoli, however you can use frozen if you prefer.
- VARIATION: Try asparagus, spinach, mushrooms or cauliflower.
How to Make Gnocchi Alfredo with Broccoli
You can add so many things to this comfort food dish to make it special. Try beef, sausage or chicken to enhance the creamy sauce texture alfredo cheesy sauce.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Prepare the Gnocchi: Cook the pasta according to package directions. Then steam the broccoli and drain.
- Sauce for Gnocchi: Meanwhile, melt the butter for sauce in a skillet over medium heat, then add garlic and sauté, whisk in the cream. Let the sauce thicken over medium-low heat. Finally, add Parmesan cheese and stir gnocchi mixture.
- Add Gnocchi: Lastly, add the cooked gnocchi and broccoli and stir then top with extra grated parmesan cheese.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for this Homemade Gnocchi Alfredo Bake
Even though this recipe is super quick and easy to prepare there are still things you can do prep it in advance.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: You can prepare the Alfredo sauce completely and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to use, gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, whisking occasionally until smooth and warmed through. You might need to add a splash of milk, cream, or pasta water to loosen it up if it has thickened too much.
- Cook the Broccoli: Blanch or roast the broccoli according to your preference. Once cooked and cooled, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This prevents it from overcooking during the final assembly.
- Blanching: Blanch florets for 1-2 minutes in boiling water, then immediately transfer to an ice bath. Drain well.
- Roasting: Toss florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast at 400°F (200°C) until tender-crisp.
- Grate the Parmesan Cheese: If you’re using a block of Parmesan, grate the amount you need and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How to Store Gnocchi Alfredo, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Leftovers should be refrigerated within 1-2 hours to prevent bacteria growth. For the best quality and safety, aim to eat your leftover gnocchi alfredo within 3 to 4 days.
- Reheating: Place the leftover gnocchi alfredo in a non-stick skillet or saucepan over low to medium-low heat. Add a splash of milk to the pan. This will help to loosen the sauce and prevent it from becoming too thick or separating. Stir gently and frequently as it heats up. You can also bake with more cheese and bake until crispy brown and bubble.
- Using Leftovers: Creamy Gnocchi Soup: Add chicken broth or vegetable broth to the leftover gnocchi alfredo to create a creamy soup. You can also add extra vegetables or shredded chicken.
Common Questions About This Creamy Alfredo Gnocchi Recipe
Yes, absolutely! While traditional Alfredo sauce relies heavily on Parmesan cheese for its flavor and texture, you can definitely experiment with other cheeses or combinations to create different flavor profiles in your gnocchi alfredo. Try cheeses such as fontina, gruyere, provolone, and asiago.
If it is too thick, try adding the cheese slowly, reserve some pasta water to thin it out if it becomes too thick. If it is to thin, try adding more cheese or a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
To make sure your broccoli isn’t mushy when you add it to your gnocchi alfredo, the key is to cook it until it’s tender-crisp.
A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a touch of heat. Add them while sautéing the garlic or directly to the simmering sauce. For a more significant flavor change, a teaspoon or two of Cajun seasoning can add spice and savory notes to the main dish.
Expert Gnocchi Alfredo Tips
Creamy Gnocchi Alfredo with Broccoli is the perfect meatless meal. It is filing, satisfying, delicious and that Parmesan Cream Sauce is a dream.
- Grate: If you can grate your own fresh parmesan, it really takes amazing.
- No Broccoli: Peas, asparagus, spinach or mushrooms work great.
- Variation tip: Leftover meat? Add your leftover chicken to make a chicken alfredo gnocchi bake or beef or sausage.
- Alternate ingredient: If you like a little seasoning, add my All Purpose Seasoning or alternatively, add a little heat with some red pepper flake.
- Fresh Herbs: Finish with fresh parsley or fresh sage.
- Serve this recipe with: Some great side dish recipes like my Beet Salad with Feta and my Italian Knot Cookies (Anginetti).
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Creamy Gnocchi Alfredo with Broccoli
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 2 tablespoons Flour
- 8 ounces Heavy cream, (whole milk works too)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 pound Gnocchi, cooked according to package directions
- 2 cups Broccoli florets, steamed
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- First, prepare gnocchi according to package directions.
- Then steam the broccoli in the same pot as the gnocchi, while it's cooking.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a large sauté pan over medium-low heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for one minute, or until fragrant.
- Stir in flour for one minute.
- Add cream and whisk until combined.
- Let the sauce thicken over medium-low heat, whisking periodically for about 5-10 minutes.
- Once sauce is thickened, add Parmesan cheese and stir until combined.
- Add the cooked gnocchi and broccoli and stir until combined.
- Top with extra grated Parmesan.
Christina’s Notes
- Grate: If you can grate your own fresh parmesan, it really takes amazing.
- No Broccoli: Peas, asparagus, spinach or mushrooms work great.
- Variation tip: Leftover meat? Add your leftover chicken to make a chicken alfredo gnocchi bake or beef or sausage.
- Alternate ingredient: If you like a little seasoning, add my All Purpose Seasoning or alternatively, add a little heat with some red pepper flake.
- Fresh Herbs: Finish with fresh parsley or fresh sage.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Thank you for sharing this recipe!
I liked this very much, though the sauce had flour lumps in it (I had to strain it), and I added quite a bit more liquid to create enough sauce. I added shredded chicken and asparagus, and used mini gnocchi that I boiled then fried with sage leaves. Yum!
Thanks for the great recipe. My husband just enjoyed it very much! I made the sauce with unsweetened soy milk & it worked great…thought others might like to know it works as a substitute; mine ended up very thick so I added extra soy milk. And since I didn’t have broccoli, I added mushrooms, spinach, fresh basil & sun dried tomatoes. We usually just pour spaghetti sauce over gnocchi so this was a really nice change.
This recipe is super delicious and super easy! I will not be buying bought sauces again! ☺️
I finally found a way to eat broccoli… smother it in this delicious parmesan sauce! It was yummy and I didn’t even care if there was broccoli in it (my family loves the broccoli, by the way).
I made this last week for supper and my kids went back for 3rds! 3rds!!!! Thanks for a delicious recipe.
I love gnocchi!! This looks like a quiet evening in with just the hubby meal. Perfect for a date night in. Lovely photos!
This gnocchi and broccoli recipe was so creamy and delicious. I made it when my daughter and her boyfriend joined us for dinner. He’s a vegetarian so this was the perfect recipe! Everyone enjoyed it.