Imagine a warm, cozy dish where fluffy gnocchi meets creamy, herb-packed Boursin, roasted alongside sweet tomatoes and tender zucchini. This Boursin Gnocchi Bake Recipe is an absolute delight, especially when you want comfort food that feels a little special but isn’t complicated.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I remember the first time I made this Boursin Gnocchi Bake Recipe — it felt like magic to toss everything onto one pan and come back to a bubbling, golden masterpiece. This dish is an effortless way to get dinner on the table but still wow your taste buds.
- One-pan convenience: Skip multiple pots and pans; everything cooks together, saving time and cleanup.
- Flavor-packed creaminess: The Boursin cheese melts into a rich sauce with jammy tomatoes and garlic, delivering comfort in every bite.
- Simple, fresh ingredients: No complicated steps or fancy stuff here – just gnocchi, veggies, herbs, and your trusty Boursin.
- Great for busy weeknights: Ready in about 35 minutes, it’s perfect for when you want something that feels indulgent but doesn’t take forever.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Boursin Gnocchi Bake Recipe plays a role in building layers of flavor and texture. The fresh veggies roast beautifully, the gnocchi crisps just a bit, and the cheese melts into heavenly creaminess. Plus, I’ve got some tips to help you pick the best ingredients.
- Zucchini: Finely diced so it cooks evenly and blends with the other textures without overwhelming the dish.
- Cherry tomatoes: These roast down into sweet, jammy pockets of flavor that burst in your mouth.
- Garlic cloves: Sliced thin for mellow roasted garlic flavor that’s not overpowering but deeply aromatic.
- Gnocchi: Use store-bought or homemade for the soft, pillowy base that soaks up all those lovely flavors.
- Olive oil: A generous drizzle ensures everything roasts beautifully and helps develop those golden edges.
- Salt & dried thyme: Simple seasoning that enhances every element without fuss.
- Boursin cheese: The star of the show – this herbed creamy cheese melts into a luscious sauce unlike any other.
- Fresh basil: Adds a bright, fresh finish that balances the richness.
- Parmesan: Grated on top for a salty, nutty crunch that’s the perfect finishing touch.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love about this Boursin Gnocchi Bake Recipe is how flexible it is. You can easily tweak it depending on what you have on hand or your mood. I often swap out veggies or add a touch of spice to keep things interesting.
- Variation: When I want a little more depth, I add sliced mushrooms or bell peppers – they roast beautifully and soak up that cheesy goodness.
- Dietary swap: For a lighter option, try turkey or chicken sausage on the side or mix in some leafy greens like spinach right before serving.
- Seasonal twist: In cooler months, roasted butternut squash works wonderfully instead of zucchini.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Boursin Gnocchi Bake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan
First up, get your oven heated to a toasty 425°F (220°C). I like to use a large dish — about 14 by 9 inches — so nothing's crowded. Crowding traps steam and you lose those gorgeous roasted edges, which are the highlight for me.
Step 2: Arrange Vegetables and Gnocchi
Scatter your diced zucchini, whole cherry tomatoes, and garlic slices evenly across the pan. Toss in the gnocchi right on top — no pre-cooking needed here, which saves so much time. Then sprinkle over the dried thyme and salt before drizzling your olive oil all over. Give everything a gentle but thorough toss to coat the pieces.
Step 3: Add the Boursin and Roast
Make a little nest in the center of everything and pop your round of Boursin cheese right there. This lets it melt and brown beautifully without getting lost. Slide the whole dish into your oven and roast for 25 to 30 minutes. Keep an eye out for golden brown gnocchi edges and those tomatoes turning sweet, blistered, and just a bit jammy.
Step 4: Stir in Basil and Parmesan for the Finish
Once out of the oven, press down on the molten Boursin and roasted tomatoes with the back of your spoon or fork to create a creamy sauce. Add your chopped basil and sprinkle on the parmesan, then give everything one last good mix. Serve it while it’s still piping hot for maximum comfort.
Top Tip
Making this Boursin Gnocchi Bake Recipe over and over, I've learned a few tricks to make sure it turns out perfect every time — and that’s what I want to share with you.
- Use a large enough pan: Crowding leads to soggy gnocchi and steamed veggies instead of those delicious roasted edges.
- Keep an eye on the cheese: Boursin should bubble and brown but not burn, so check it after 20 minutes and rotate the dish if your oven heats unevenly.
- Mix gently after baking: Pressing the cheese and tomatoes down slowly distributes the sauce without breaking the gnocchi too much.
- Fresh herbs matter: Adding basil right before serving keeps its flavor bright and fresh, balancing the richness perfectly.
How to Serve Boursin Gnocchi Bake Recipe
Garnishes
I love scattering fresh basil leaves over the top to add pops of green and freshness. Sometimes, I add a sprinkle of extra parmesan or even a few cracked black peppercorns for a little kick. A drizzle of good olive oil right before serving never hurts either.
Side Dishes
This bake stands tall on its own, but for a complete meal, I usually pair it with a crisp green salad or some roasted asparagus. For heartier occasions, a side of garlic bread is a delicious companion to soak up every last bit of that creamy sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, try serving this bake in individual ramekins so everyone gets a personal cheesy, bubbly portion. Or, place it in a rustic cast iron skillet for a cozy, family-style vibe that invites sharing and comfort.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I like to store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it just as good the next day. Just keep in mind the gnocchi may soften, so quick reheating is best.
Freezing
Freezing this dish is totally doable. I portion it out and freeze in airtight containers with a little space for expansion. To thaw, leave in the fridge overnight and reheat gently to preserve the creamy texture without drying it out.
Reheating
The best way to reheat is in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10–15 minutes until warmed through. This keeps the gnocchi slightly crisp and revives the creaminess of the cheese without turning it rubbery as microwave reheating sometimes does.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! Frozen gnocchi works perfectly here. No need to thaw it first—just toss it straight onto the pan with the veggies and cheese. It roasts beautifully right from frozen.
Good question! While Boursin is unique for its creamy texture and herbiness, you can substitute a mix of cream cheese combined with garlic and fresh herbs, or a soft goat cheese. Just keep in mind the flavor profile will change slightly.
Absolutely! Swap the Boursin for a plant-based cream cheese with herbs, and use a vegan parmesan alternative or nutritional yeast for topping. Just choose vegan gnocchi (many are naturally vegan) and adjust seasoning to taste.
For a dairy-free version, make sure to select dairy-free cheese alternatives and skip the parmesan or replace it with something like toasted nuts for crunch.
Nope! One of the best features of this Boursin Gnocchi Bake Recipe is that you don’t have to pre-cook the gnocchi. Roasting it with the other ingredients in the oven cooks it through and gives it a lovely golden, slightly crisp texture on the edges.
Final Thoughts
This Boursin Gnocchi Bake Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s the perfect balance of ease, flavor, and cozy comfort. I’m genuinely excited to share it with you because it’s that kind of dish you’ll want to make again and again — whether you’re feeding loved ones or just treating yourself after a busy day. Give it a try, and I bet it’ll become a go-to in your meal rotation, just like it did in mine!
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Boursin Gnocchi Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Sheet Pan Baked Boursin Gnocchi is a comforting and easy one-pan meal that combines tender gnocchi, juicy cherry tomatoes, and zucchini roasted to perfection with garlic and thyme. Boursin cheese nests in the center melts into a creamy sauce enhanced with fresh basil and parmesan, making it a flavorful, cheesy dish ideal for a cozy dinner any day of the week.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 large zucchini, finely diced
- 1 lb (500g) cherry tomatoes
- 3 garlic cloves, sliced
- 1 round of Boursin cheese
- A handful of basil, chopped
- ½ cup parmesan, grated
Main
- 1 lb (500g) gnocchi
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and prepare a large oven dish or sheet pan (around 14-inch by 9-inch) ensuring it is spacious enough so ingredients roast rather than steam.
- Arrange Ingredients: Place the cherry tomatoes, diced zucchini, sliced garlic, and gnocchi evenly in the dish. Sprinkle dried thyme, salt, and drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over everything. Mix well to combine.
- Add Cheese: Create a small well in the center of the dish and place the whole round of Boursin cheese inside the well.
- Bake: Transfer the dish to the oven and bake for 30 minutes, until the tomatoes are charred and jammy, the gnocchi edges turn golden, and the Boursin cheese has browned deeply.
- Create Sauce and Serve: Remove from oven and press the melted Boursin and tomatoes with the back of a fork or spoon to break them up into a creamy sauce. Mix thoroughly through the gnocchi, scatter chopped basil and grated parmesan on top, mix again, and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- This is a one-pan recipe, requiring only 30 minutes to bake and deliver a rich, comforting meal.
- No need to pre-cook the gnocchi; roasting it directly yields a golden exterior and tender inside.
- You can substitute Boursin cheese with a similar soft herb cheese if desired.
- Make sure to use a large enough baking dish or sheet pan for even roasting and to prevent steaming.
- For a variation, add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms alongside the zucchini.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 200g
- Calories: 475 calories
- Sugar: 4.8 g
- Sodium: 1313 mg
- Fat: 22.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 10.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10.8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56.5 g
- Fiber: 1.7 g
- Protein: 12.9 g
- Cholesterol: 45.1 mg
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