Description
This comforting Pumpkin Gnocchi Bake combines tender gnocchi with a rich, spiced pumpkin sauce, enriched with creamy goat cheese and fragrant fresh sage. It’s a perfect seasonal dish that’s easy to prepare and bakes to bubbly perfection, making it ideal for cozy fall dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pumpkin Sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 15-ounce can pumpkin purée
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
Gnocchi & Toppings
- 16-ounce package gnocchi
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- 2 teaspoons fresh sage, thinly sliced (about 5 medium leaves)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the assembled dish.
- Sauté Garlic: Mince the garlic cloves. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned, to build a savory flavor base.
- Make Pumpkin Sauce: Carefully stir in the pumpkin purée and vegetable broth into the skillet with the garlic. Add chili powder, nutmeg, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Cover and bring to a high simmer, allowing it to bubble constantly, then cook for 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce thickens. Remove 1/2 cup of this sauce into a small bowl and mix with Greek yogurt, then return the mixture to the skillet and stir well to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed for a balanced flavor.
- Cook Gnocchi: While the sauce thickens, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and boil until they float to the surface, about 2 to 3 minutes. Drain thoroughly in a colander.
- Assemble and Bake: In a 9 x 9-inch baking dish, combine the drained gnocchi with the pumpkin sauce, mixing gently to coat evenly. Dollop the goat cheese over the top and scatter the sliced fresh sage leaves. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the dish is bubbly and the goat cheese slightly softens.
Notes
- Fresh or refrigerated gnocchi can be used; adjust cooking time slightly if using fresh varieties.
- For a vegan version, substitute Greek yogurt and goat cheese with plant-based alternatives.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase red pepper flakes according to taste.
- Ensure not to brown the garlic when sautéing to avoid bitterness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Pumpkin gnocchi, baked gnocchi, fall recipe, vegetarian pasta, pumpkin sauce, goat cheese gnocchi
