inspochef
Back to Elena Reyes
Sheet-Pan "French Onion" Crispy Gnocchi

Sheet-Pan "French Onion" Crispy Gnocchi

Listen, making real French onion soup on a Tuesday is a joke, but this sheet-pan version is my ultimate cheat code. We are skipping the hour of stove-side stirring and roasting store-bought gnocchi right alongside the onions until everything is perfectly caramelized and crispy. Deglazed with a splash of broth and blanketed in Gruyere, this is ridiculous comfort food with zero babysitting.

Elena Reyes
Elena Reyes
·Updated
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
4
easy
dinner
sheet-pancheat-codecomfort-food30-minute-meal

Save a copy to your collection for editing

Timeline

38 minutes
0m10m20m30m38m
Season Gnocchi & Onions
5m
Roast Gnocchi
25m
Prep Broth & Cheese
5m
Deglaze the Pan
Add Cheese
Broil & Serve

Ingredients

  • 1 lb potato gnocchi(shelf-stable or refrigerated, do not use frozen)
  • 2 large yellow onions(halved and sliced 1/4-inch thick)
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter(melted)
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves(plus more for garnish)
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup beef broth(can substitute vegetable broth)
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1.5 cups Gruyere cheese(freshly shredded from a block)
  • a little extra fresh thyme(for garnish)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 425F. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss together 1 lb potato gnocchi, 2 large yellow onions, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Spread into a single even layer.

    5 min

    Tip: You want bare metal here for the best crisping, so skip the parchment paper or foil.

  2. 2

    Transfer the sheet pan to the oven and roast. The high heat will cheat-code caramelize the onions while the gnocchi puffs up and gets incredibly crispy on the outside. Roast for 25 minutes total, tossing everything thoroughly halfway through.

    25 min

    Tip: Do not boil the gnocchi first! Roasting them straight from the package is the secret to their magical chewy-crisp texture.

  3. 3

    While the gnocchi roasts, combine 1/4 cup beef broth and 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar in a small glass. Use this time to shred your 1.5 cups Gruyere cheese if you haven't already.

    5 min

    Tip: Please grate the cheese yourself from a block. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in anti-caking powder and flat-out refuses to melt into that gooey blanket we want.

  4. 4

    Remove the pan from the oven. Carefully pour the broth and vinegar mixture directly over the hot pan—it will immediately sizzle. Use a flat spatula to scrape up all the delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom, tossing the gnocchi and onions until the liquid is mostly absorbed and everything is deeply glossy.

    2 min

    Tip: This step deglazes the pan, giving you all that deep, rich French onion flavor without making a separate sauce.

  5. 5

    Push the gnocchi and onions slightly toward the center of the pan so they form a tighter layer. Blanket everything evenly with the 1.5 cups Gruyere cheese. Turn your oven to broil.

    1 min

    Tip: Pushing the food together stops the cheese from melting directly onto bare metal and burning into an unscrubbable mess.

  6. 6

    Broil for 2 to 3 minutes, watching it like a hawk, until the cheese is completely melted, bubbling, and golden brown in spots. Garnish with a little extra fresh thyme and serve immediately straight from the pan.

    3 min

    Tip: Broilers can go from perfect to burnt in seconds, so leave the oven door slightly cracked if needed and do not walk away.

Chef's Notes

My biggest rule for this recipe: ignore the package directions on the gnocchi. If you boil them first, they will turn to mush on the sheet pan. They need to go into the oven completely dry so they crisp up in the olive oil and butter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Sheet-Pan "French Onion" Crispy Gnocchi take to make?

Sheet-Pan "French Onion" Crispy Gnocchi takes about 40 minutes total. That includes 10 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 4 servings.

What skill level is needed for Sheet-Pan "French Onion" Crispy Gnocchi?

This recipe is rated easy — it's beginner-friendly and straightforward.

What ingredients do I need for Sheet-Pan "French Onion" Crispy Gnocchi?

The main ingredients are: potato gnocchi, yellow onions, olive oil, unsalted butter, fresh thyme leaves, kosher salt, black pepper, beef broth, balsamic vinegar, Gruyere cheese, fresh thyme.

What type of meal is Sheet-Pan "French Onion" Crispy Gnocchi?

Sheet-Pan "French Onion" Crispy Gnocchi is categorized as: dinner.