Creamy Gnocchi Alfredo with Broccoli

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This Creamy Gnocchi Alfredo with Broccoli is one of my all-time favorite easy gnocchi recipes.  It’s ready in 16 minutes! Keep it in your quick cooking arsenal!

A square white dish of the casserole.

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This Creamy Gnocchi Alfredo with Broccoli is that meal you need sometimes when life requires a quick, easy dinner that does not sacrifice a bit on taste. Something that everyone will love and your day to be just a little easier. If you want more delicious Italian Food, check these recipes out.


MORE PASTA RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Pasta Bolognese Bake | Italian Sausage Pasta| Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta


What We Love About This Casserole Recipe

Do you know what a gnocchi is? It is a dumpling done Italian style. Find out more here.

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  • 16 Minute Meal: Perfect for hectic nights. Make a little salad with a lemon juice vinaigrette and you are ready for dinner.
  • Easy Ingredients: All simple ingredients, only 7 for a complete meal.
  • Family Friendly: Gnocchi are fun and easy pasta for kids to eat.
  • Adaptable: Can make it with so many different vegetables such as onions, peas etc.
  • Makes Great Leftovers: Make extra for dinner tonight and lunch the next day.
A side view of the creamy gnocchi alfredo with broccoli.

Ingredient Notes

  • Potato Gnocchi: You can make your own but there are some awesome premade ones at the grocery store to save time.
  • Sauce: Flour, butter, heavy cream, garlic
  • Broccoli Florets: Steam it.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Grated.
The gnocchi, broccoli and alfredo sauce.

Variations and Substitutions for the Creamy Gnocchi Recipe 

  • Gnocchi – There are so many varieties now, try cheese, mushroom, whole wheat or any variety you enjoy.
  • Heavy Cream – Whole milk is a great replacement for the cream for the gnocchi sauce.
  • Vegetables- Use peppers, mushrooms or whatever vegetables that you have on hand.

How to Make Skillet Gnocchi

These are the basic steps for making gnocchi sauce. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and nutrition facts.

Making the cheese sauce for the dish.

STEP 1: PREPARE

First, boil the gnocchi according to the directions. Then, at the same time, steam the broccoli in the same pot. Drain.

STEP 2: SAUCE

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then add garlic and sauté, stir with a spatula in the flour and whisk in the cream. Let the sauce thicken over medium-low heat, whisking periodically for about 5-10 minutes. Once sauce is thickened, add Parmesan cheese and stir gnocchi mixture until combined.

Making the gnocchi for the dish.

STEP 3: COMBINE

Finally, add the gnocchi and broccoli and stir until combined. Lastly, top with extra parmesan cheese.

Add chicken and broccoli for the dish.

Prep and Storage Tips for Creamy Gnocchi Alfredo with Broccoli

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME

Truly, there is no need to make this recipe in advance. It is ready in minutes.

HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE

Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge The gnocchi will be good for two days..

HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE

The creamy gnocchi recipe can be kept in the freezer in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to six months.

HOW TO REHEAT THIS RECIPE

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and rewarm in the microwave or on the stove top on medium-high heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE HEALTHIER?

Use an unsalted butter to lower the salt. Look for gluten free versions of the ingredients. Try adding more seasoning like Italian Seasoning and black pepper etc..

CAN I BAKE THIS CREAMY GNOCCHI ALFREDO WITH BROCCOLI?

Pour the gnocchi in the cream sauce in a baking dish, top with your favorite Italian Cheese blend and then pop in the oven to broil for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and melted.

CAN THIS RECIPE BE DOUBLED OR HALVED?

Of course, you can use the recipe card below and adjust it to suit your needs.

VEGAN?

You can make this with a soy or nut milk or cream and use Bragg Nutritional Yeast Seasoning or another vegan alternative for this broccoli gnocchi recipe.

WHAT IS GNOCCHI?

Gnocchi is an Italian dumpling which can be made with cheese or potato. See more about this pasta. How do you pronounce gnocchi? No-Key.

A top shot of the gnocchi alfredo with broccoli.

Expert Tips for Making This Creamy Gnocchi Recipe

  • 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.

What to Serve with Creamy Gnocchi Alfredo with Broccoli

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A square white dish of the casserole.
4.80 from 74 votes

Creamy Gnocchi Alfredo with Broccoli

Yield: 4 servings
Prep: 6 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 16 minutes
Creamy Gnocchi Alfredo with Broccoli is the perfect meatless meal. It is filing, satisfying, delicious and that Parmesan Cream Sauce is a dream. 
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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!

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.

Expert Tips

  • 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.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 489kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 637mg | Potassium: 201mg | Fiber: 3g | Vitamin A: 1315IU | Vitamin C: 41.4mg | Calcium: 222mg | Iron: 4.7mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American

This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe.  I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible for the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.

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7 thoughts on “Creamy Gnocchi Alfredo with Broccoli”

  1. 4 stars
    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!

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  3. 5 stars
    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).

    Reply
  4. 5 stars
    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.

    Reply

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