Creamy Ham and Gnocchi Alfredo Bake
This Creamy Ham and Gnocchi Alfredo Bake is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner with family. Featuring tender, pillowy gnocchi coated in a rich and velvety cheese sauce, this dish is elevated by savory ham, sweet peas, and aromatic herbs. Topped with a golden breadcrumb crust for an extra crunch, this bake is not only delicious but also makes for excellent leftovers, so you'll enjoy the goodness even the next day! Serve it with a side salad for a complete meal that everyone will love.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Store-bought gnocchi
16 ounces (Cook according to package instructions.)
Ham steaks
8 ounces (Cook until browned and dice into pieces.)
Butter
4 tablespoons (Melted for sautéing.)
Garlic cloves
2 (Minced.)
Shallot
1 medium (Finely diced.)
Flour
3 tablespoons (For thickening the sauce.)
Milk
3 cups (Use whole or low-fat milk.)
Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon (For flavoring.)
Dried thyme
1 teaspoon (For seasoning.)
Peas
1 cup (Divided, fresh or frozen.)
Shredded cheese
3/4 cup (Use mozzarella, swiss, gruyere, or pepperjack.)
Grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (For topping.)
Salt and pepper
to taste (For seasoning.)
Breadcrumbs
1/3 cup (Optional for topping.)
Fresh parsley
For garnish (Chopped for garnish.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook until they float, indicating they’re done. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
3
While the gnocchi is cooking, heat a deep skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of oil, then cook the ham steak for 4-5 minutes on each side until browned. Remove from the skillet and dice into bite-sized pieces.
4
In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced shallot, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant.
5
Whisk in the flour and cook for another minute to eliminate the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in the milk while stirring continuously to prevent lumps, and cook until the mixture thickens.
6
Stir in the Dijon mustard and dried thyme, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Add in the shredded cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
7
Mix in the diced ham, cooked gnocchi, and 3/4 cup of peas until everything is well combined.
8
Transfer the creamy mixture to a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of peas on top and add breadcrumbs for an optional crunchy topping.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the dish is bubbling and the top is golden.
10
Once out of the oven, garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy your delicious creation!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I set the oven to for this gnocchi bake?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius.
How much gnocchi is needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 16 ounces of store-bought gnocchi.
How do I know when the gnocchi is done boiling?
Cook the gnocchi in salted water until they float to the surface, which indicates they are done.
How do I prepare the ham for the bake?
Brown 8 ounces of ham steaks in a skillet for 4-5 minutes per side, then dice them into bite-sized pieces.
What aromatic vegetables are used in the sauce?
The sauce uses two minced garlic cloves and one medium finely diced shallot.
How much butter is required for the alfredo sauce?
You will need 4 tablespoons of butter for sautéing the aromatics and making the roux.
What is the purpose of the flour in this recipe?
Three tablespoons of flour are used to thicken the milk into a creamy sauce.
How much milk should I add to the mixture?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of milk, which can be whole or low-fat.
How do I prevent lumps from forming in the sauce?
Gradually pour in the milk while stirring continuously to ensure a smooth consistency.
What type of mustard is used for flavoring?
One teaspoon of Dijon mustard is added to the sauce.
Which dried herb provides seasoning to the dish?
One teaspoon of dried thyme is used for seasoning the mixture.
How many peas are needed and how are they divided?
One cup of peas is used in total; 3/4 cup is mixed into the sauce and 1/4 cup is sprinkled on top.
What types of shredded cheese work best for this recipe?
You can use 3/4 cup of mozzarella, swiss, gruyere, or pepperjack cheese.
What is used as a topping before baking?
The dish is topped with 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese and optional breadcrumbs.
How long does the dish need to bake in the oven?
Bake the gnocchi for 18-20 minutes until the mixture is bubbling and the top is golden.
What should be used to garnish the dish after baking?
Garnish the bake with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Can I use frozen peas?
Yes, you can use either fresh or frozen peas for this recipe.
What kind of baking dish is recommended?
A shallow baking dish is recommended for transferring the creamy mixture.
How much breadcrumbs should I use for the crunchy topping?
If you choose to add the optional topping, use 1/3 cup of breadcrumbs.
What should I serve with the Creamy Ham and Gnocchi Alfredo Bake?
This dish is best served with a side salad for a complete meal.
How do I avoid a raw flour taste in the sauce?
Cook the flour and butter mixture for at least one minute before adding the milk.
How do I prepare the garlic and shallot?
Melt butter over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic and diced shallot for about 1 minute until fragrant.
When do I add the cooked gnocchi and ham to the sauce?
Stir the diced ham and cooked gnocchi into the cheese sauce once it is melted and smooth.
Is the parmesan cheese mixed into the sauce?
No, the 1/4 cup of grated parmesan is used specifically as a topping.
Can I use low-fat milk for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of either whole or low-fat milk.
What is the first step in the entire recipe?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
How much shredded cheese is stirred into the sauce?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of shredded cheese for the internal sauce.
What kind of texture does the final bake have?
It has a rich, velvety sauce with pillowy gnocchi and a crunchy breadcrumb crust.
Should the water for the gnocchi be salted?
Yes, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil before adding the gnocchi.
When do I season the dish with salt and pepper?
Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste after the sauce has thickened and the mustard and thyme are added.