What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Enjoyable Eats: Dang Good Mac & Cheese! I just cranked up this all-time favorite dish a notch, maybe two. Cheddar cheesy? It’s in there. Mozzarella madness? Oh, yeah. Palatable parmesan? Absolutely. Sooo, what’s the big deal, you wonder. Well…I kinda switched out the macaroni pasta noodles for gnocchi’s pillow-like tender dumplings that swaddle themselves in a blanket of creamy cheese sauce. Hold on. Then I topped it all with a buttery crunch topping of panko and Italian bread crumbs. Mmmwah! Life doesn’t get any better that this.
DANG GOOD MAC & CHEESE
Ingredients:
1-pound package gnocchi
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/2 cup milk, warmed
3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup panko and Italian bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter, melted
Parsley, for garnish
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325°. Spray a casserole dish with nonstick oil. Set aside. Cook the gnocchi, according to package directions. Drain, transfer to a large bowl, and set aside. Whisk together cornstarch and chicken broth in a measuring cup until completely dissolved. Set aside. Warm olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic. Sauté 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Slowly add cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly to make a light brown roux. Add warm milk, stirring until smooth as the mixture reaches a low boil. Remove pan from heat; stir in mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Pour the cheese sauce over the gnocchi until evenly coated. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish. Combine panko and Italian seasoned breadcrumbs with the melted butter. Sprinkle over the cheesy gnocchi. Bake 15 minutes to brown the topping. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Was not expecting the gnocchi in this recipe, but smart change up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey…when you get the craving and there’s no pasta in the house…lol. 🤣😜
LikeLike
Its actually really a great idea, although David and I make awful gnocchi. Like lead sinkers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never tried to make it from scratch. lol 😜
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is harder than you might think!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the gnocchi! But, of course, the best part for me is the cheesy crust!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Cheese is my friend. lol 💕💜
LikeLiked by 2 people
Perfect comfort food for November. Thanks, Gail. 😄
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure, Sally. 🍁🍂🌾
LikeLike
Not just good . . . DANG good indeed.
And that trade of yours, switching out macaroni noodles for gnocchi? That’s the biggest win of a trade since the Angels snared Nolan Ryan for Jim Fregosi!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Huh? Does not compute. Sadly, I know nothing about sports. I’m usually in the kitchen making food for it. lol 🤣🤣🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
It means drop the mic. It means win . . big time win.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Duh. Must be my blonde showing through. lol 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You don’t fool me, 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
How cheesy :})
LikeLiked by 2 people
You can say that again. lol 👀🍃🧀
LikeLike
It sure looks “dang good” 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks very much. 🍃🧀
LikeLike
I need to try this! And I’m glad that you don’t have any cheeses that I don’t like in this, like ricotta (ugh!)
LikeLiked by 2 people
My thought is, choose foods you like. I think it would be easy to substitute cheeses. 🍃🧀
LikeLike
I’ve heard of gnocchi but have never had it before. Where do you find it–in the frozen food section?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Actually, I believe it is in the instant potato and pasta aisle. I’ve never looked for it in the freezer section. 🌟
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was just guessing. I thought it was a pasta-type product, lol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love seeing how everyone makes their mac and cheese, there is no wrong way to go about it! I do mine with cheese-stuffed tortellini when I’m in the mood for extra queso.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Whoa! I like the way you think! 😋🌿
LikeLike
wow i am just impressed with thi recepie ..but the great thing is i also tried to make a unique way to make mac and cheese in microwave to know more visit and follow https://bit.ly/34DSgcK do visit it will ease your taste
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s possible. Anything is possible. lol 🍁🍂🌾
LikeLike
That’s heaven.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe you. lol 😜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks yummy! I love a good ol mac & cheese anytime.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then you have got to try this with gnocchi. 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! Thank you for adding new spice in my life!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always! 🌟✨💫
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant to use gnocchi here, Gail! It sounds positively perfect! Going to give this one a go! Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love potatoes anyway, so I thought, “Why not?” 😜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just bought some gnocchi on my way back from Italy.. Awesome idea.. ;-)=
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh. Yum! 😍
LikeLike
Recipe looks amazing but I especially loved your opening paragraph, the humor and life in it. I bet you have a wonderful sense of humor
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much for stopping by. My husband makes me laugh, so I pass it on! 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the husbands job, 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right!? 😜
LikeLiked by 1 person