Gnocchi Mac and Cheese
By OcadoLife
Published on 04 October 2021
A clever twist on mac and cheese that swaps in gnocchi for the usual macaroni; maybe gnoc and cheese? The combination of carbs and melted cheese make this a great comfort food. Bacon bits, worcestershire sauce, and mustard powder also provide a bit of bite that cuts through the creaminess. Serve with a green salad to balance out the rich, gooey loveliness of the sauce and provide a little crunch. It might look like you’ve made too much sauce, but this is just the right amount. A deliciously filling meal – so you’ll find you don’t need a lot on your plate. Time and servings
45 minsTotal time
4Servings
5 minsPrep time
40 minsCooking time
Ingredients
- 50 g of plain flour
- 600 ml of semi-skimmed milk
- 1 dash of worcestershire sauce
- 50 g of panko breadcrumbs
- 450 g of fresh potato gnocchi
- 100 g of diced pancetta or streaky bacon, chopped
- 25 g of salted butter
- 1 tsp of mustard powder
- 175 g of cheese, grated (we used cheddar)
Method
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 210°C/190°C fan/gas 6-7. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil, add the gnocchi and cook for 1-2 mins, until it floats to the surface. Drain and set aside.Step 2
Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the pancetta; cook for 2-3 mins, stirring, until crispy. Remove from the pan and drain on kitchen towel. Set aside.Step 3
To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a large pan; add the flour while beating with a wooden spoon, to form a roux (the paste that will thicken your sauce). Cook for 1-2 mins, to cook out the raw flour flavour. Gradually add the milk, stirring all the time, until the sauce is thick. Add the mustard powder, worcestershire sauce and season. Stir in two-thirds of the cheese; mix until it has melted and the sauce is smooth.Step 4
Stir the gnocchi and pancetta into the sauce and tip into an ovenproof dish (approx. 25cm x 20cm and 5cm deep). Scatter with the breadcrumbs and the remaining cheese; bake for 20-25 mins until golden. Add a twist of black pepper, to taste.