Baked Cheesy Broccoli Gnocchi Casserole - Vegan, Gluten Free & Nut Free
No exaggeration, this is THE best thing I have ever made! Creamy, rich, decadent cheesy sauce drenched all over soft, pillow-y gnocchi and topped with a breadcrumb finish for an ecstasy- inducing contrast.
Ingredients
- 2 packages gnocchi
- 3 cups frozen broccoli
- 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
- 3 large cloves garlic - minced
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3 tbsp 1 for 1 Gluten-Free Flour
- 2 cups unsweetened soy milk
- 3/4 cups reserved pasta water
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1/4 tsp yellow mustard
- 3/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp sea salt
Breadcrumb Topping
- 3/4 cups breadcrumbs - I used Panko
- 1/4 cup oil or melted butter
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tbsp nutritional yeast
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly grease a 9X12 baking dish.
- In a large stockpot fill with 6-8 cups of water and bring to a boil. Toss in gnocchi and broccoli. Boil for 3-4 minutes. Scoop out 1 cup of pasta/broccoli water to reserve for sauce. Set aside. Drain pasta and broccoli. Set aside.
- In a saucepan or skillet, heat 1 tbsp of oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent. Add garlic and cook for another 2 minutes or so.
- Add butter along to saucepan or skillet and stir until melted. Slowly add the flour 1 tbsp at a time, whisking into butter quickly.
- Slowly pour in unsweetened soy milk and the reserved pasta water, whisking it into the butter/flour mix. Lower heat setting to medium/low.
- Add lemon juice, mustard, sea salt, nutritional yeast and shredded cheese into sauce base. Mix well until most of the cheese has melted and all ingredients are well combined. Remove from heat.
- Place gnocchi/broccoli mix into prepared baking dish. Pour the sauce over gnocchi/broccoli mix and gently toss together. Set aside while you quickly make breadcrumb topping.
- In a small bowl, stir together all ingredients for the breadcrumb topping. Try to ensure the breadcrumbs are well coated in oil/melted butter. Sprinkle onto gnocchi.
- Place dish uncovered into the oven for 30 minutes. Remove and let stand for 5-7 minutes before serving.