Baked Gnocchi Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 , 16 ounce
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1.5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1.25 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 0.5 teaspoons ground black pepper , or to taste
• 0.25 teaspoons salt
• 0.75 cups shredded Cheddar cheese , divided
• 0.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cups panko bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter , melted
• 0.25 cups grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook gnocchi in the boiling water until they float to the top, 2 to 4 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. 2

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 1 ½- to 2-quart casserole dish.

3. 3

   Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour until incorporated and foamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add milk, cream, black pepper, and salt; stir constantly until thickened and gently bubbling, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in ½ cup Cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese.

4. 4

   Add gnocchi to the prepared casserole dish; cover with cheese sauce. Combine bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter in a small bowl; sprinkle over casserole. Top with remaining ¼ cup Cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese.

5. 5

   Bake in the preheated oven until top is browned and cheese is bubbling, about 20 minutes.