This Gnocchi Gratin with Ham recipe is comfort food at its best. Cheesy potato dumplings, accented with the slightly nutty flavor of Gruyere, combine with ham and peas to make a quick and easy dinner in one dish. It’s like mac and cheese went gourmet! And it takes only 30 minutes from prep to table. Make it ahead and save even more time!
Creamy Baked Gnocchi Casserole
It seems dinner time rolls around and I'm always in a rush. Does that happen to you too? That's one of the reasons I love to create quick and easy recipes that anyone can throw together at the last minute. Less stress means a lot at the end of the day. My usual go-tos are my Taco Pasta Skillet or Lasagna Stuffed Peppers but this creamy Baked Gnocchi Casserole just became favorite number three.
Most of the ingredients for this Gnocchi Gratin are ones you may already have in your refrigerator at home, such as Parmesan cheese, a ham steak and frozen peas. The more unique ingredients to this recipe, such as the gnocchi, can be picked up from the cold food section of your grocery store and the block of Gruyere cheese from the specialty cheese section. You can also use whole milk instead of the fat free half and half if that is what you have on hand.
The best part about this recipe is how easy it is to change it up with other ingredients you might have on hand.
Change It Up Tips
- Don't care for peas? Try broccoli or cauliflower.
- Gruyere cheese too expensive or hard to find? Try Swiss, Comte, Jarlsberg or, for a more distinct flavor, smoked edam.
- You can make this more vegetarian friendly by omitting ham altogether. You could also add in some mushrooms to replace it.
- If you want to sub ham for another meat, try rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey.
- Whole milk can also be used in place of fat-free half and half. I've also tried it with almond milk which makes the cheese sauce slightly thinner but just as delicious.
How To Make Cheesy Gnocchi Casserole
Gather all the ingredients you need to make this Gnocchi Gratin recipe. Cook gnocchi according to package directions. (I bought mine in the fresh pasta section of my grocery store and just boiled it.) Dice ham, shred cheese and take peas out to thaw.
- Place cooked gnocchi and ham in a large bowl. (photo 1)
- In a medium sauce pan, melt butter over medium-high. Whisking continuously, stir in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes or until the mixture turns a golden brown. (photo 2)
- Add in milk while continuing to whisk and bring to a boil. Mixture should be smooth. (photo 3)
- Remove pan from heat and stir in Gruyère and ¼ cup grated Parmesan. Stir until all cheese is melted and mixture is smooth. Season with salt and pepper. (photo 4)
- Pour sauce over gnocchi and ham. (photo 5)
- Stir in peas. (photo 6)
- Pour into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and panko crumbs. Bake.
This Gnocchi Gratin with Ham reminds me of a creamy rich mac and cheese that's been taken up a notch. I love to serve it with some applesauce, fresh bread and of course a glass of wine. It's a stick to your ribs kind of dinner that's perfect for cold winter days. And the easy cleanup (and compliments from the family) just makes dinner time a more relaxing and delicious experience. Enjoy!
More Casserole Recipes
Dump & Bake Pork Chop Casserole - A delicious low carb meal of tender pork chops and cauliflower tots covered with a delicious creamy mushroom sauce.
White Chicken Lasagna - A quick and easy lasagna layered with chicken, spinach and squash, brought together with a creamy, ooey, gooey cheese sauce.
Smoky Mozzarella Meatball Casserole - this casserole combines everyone’s favorites - meatballs, pasta and tomatoes with a twist. Smoky mozzarella cheese replaces regular mozzarella and brings this comfort food to another level.
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Ingredients
- 16 oz potato gnocchi
- 1 lb. ham steak diced
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups fat-free half and half
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 ounces Gruyère cheese shredded (about 1 cup)
- ¾ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 cup frozen green peas thawed
- ¼ cup panko crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray an 11x7 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Cook gnocchi as directed on package. Drain and place in a large bowl.
- Add ham to gnocchi and stir.
- In a medium sauce pan, melt butter over medium-high. Whisking continuously, stir in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes or until the mixture turns a golden brown.
- Add in milk while continuing to whisk and bring to a boil. Mixture should be smooth.
- Remove pan from heat and stir in Gruyère and ¼ cup grated Parmesan. Stir until all cheese is melted and mixture is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour sauce over gnocchi and ham.
- Add peas.
- Pour into prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle with a mixture of remaining Parmesan cheese and panko crumbs.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
Notes
Change It Up Tips
- Don't care for peas? Try broccoli or cauliflower.
- Gruyere cheese too expensive or hard to find? Try Swiss, Comte, Jarlsberg or, for a more distinct flavor, smoked edam.
- You can make this more vegetarian friendly by omitting ham altogether. You could also add in some mushrooms to replace it.
- If you want to sub ham for another meat, try rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey.
- Whole milk can also be used in place of fat-free half and half. I've also tried it with almond milk which makes the cheese sauce slightly thinner but just as delicious.