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My boursin gnocchi casserole is a true dump-and-bake dinner with pillowy gnocchi, burst cherry tomatoes, and a creamy tomato sauce that comes together entirely in the oven. It’s cozy and deeply savory, yet requires almost no hands-on work, making it ideal for busy vegetarian weeknights!
Serve it with a simple Kale Salad, and a Cranberry Aperol Spritz!
save this recipe!This recipe exists because most baked gnocchi dishes either turn gummy or rely on multiple stovetop steps to build flavor.
Through testing, I found that shelf-stable gnocchi can cook directly in sauce if the moisture and fat are balanced correctly, and Boursin does the work for you. It melts slowly, emulsifying into the marinara without splitting, while the tomatoes release just enough juice to keep everything saucy instead of soupy. A weeknight staple!
Reader rating
“One of my 3yr old’s fav dinners to help make when she’s being a chef. 10/10. It’s in regular weeknight rotation at our house.” —Mary
Key Ingredients:
- Tomatoes, Two Ways: You’ll need store-bought marinara or pasta sauce and cherry tomatoes (also known as grape tomatoes) to make the sauce.
- Gnocchi: Any shelf-stable potato gnocchi will work. I haven’t tried this with gluten-free gnocchi, which typically cooks faster. If you use gluten-free, check the gnocchi frequently to avoid mushy gnocchi. Also works well with homemade cauliflower gnocchi or sweet potato gnocchi!
- Butter Beans: Add protein and a creamy interior that mirrors the texture of the gnocchi.
- Cheese and Herbs: For the creamy and delicious flavor, this bake uses Boursin cheese and is finished ith fresh basil.
What Is Boursin?
This cheese comes from Normandy, France, and is commonly found in grocery stores in the States and abroad. While you can use the store-bought version, you can also make homemade Boursin easily.
Variations
This recipe is simple by design, but you can mix it up using whatever you have on hand. Here are some of my favorites!
- Stir in spinach at the end for some extra veggies.
- Parmesan and mozzarella cheese can be grated on top for extra cheesiness. For more decadence, return the dish to the oven and broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Red pepper flakes can be added for spice.
- Boursin cheese pasta can be made by stirring in cooked pasta for the last 10 minutes instead of using gnocchi.
Make it a Complete dinner
I’m not sure if this would be considered an Italian or a French dinner. The cheese is French, but the gnocchi is Italian. Regardless, these are delicious pairing options:
- Vegetarian Caesar Salad is a classic and easy starter to baked gnocchi.
- Vegan Panna Cotta is an easy yet elevated recipe perfect for ending the meal with a bang.
Love easy dinners like this? Try my marry me tortellini casserole next!
Boursin Gnocchi Casserole (Dump & Bake)
Ingredients
- 1 16-oz package cherry tomatoes, 450 g
- 1 16-oz package gnocchi, 450 g
- 1 15-oz can butter beans, drained, 435 g can
- 1 24-oz jar marinara sauce, 680 g
- 1 block Boursin cheese, "garlic and fine herbs" flavor, 5.3 oz, 150 g
- 1 cup fresh chopped basil
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Halve some of the 1 16-oz package cherry tomatoes and leave others whole.
- Sauce: Into a large (9×13 inch or similar) casserole dish, dump the tomatoes, 1 16-oz package gnocchi, 1 15-oz can butter beans (drained), 1 24-oz jar marinara sauce, 1 block Boursin cheese, and 1 cup fresh chopped basil. Gently stir to combine (it's okay if the cheese isn't fully blended).
- Bake: Tightly cover with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Stir to mix everything up, then return to the oven uncovered for 10 to 15 more minutes. It's finished when the gnocchi is fork-tender!
- Serve warm, topped with fresh basil and cracked black pepper.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.
did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!
We made this in conjunction with the homemade Boursin cheese recipe on this site. Excellent, and really quite easy even with the DIY Boursin.
I’m so happy to hear it! Enjoy!! 😀
Made it and it was GREAT. I had pasta sauce on hand so I used it. Same instructions but added ground chicken and a little brown sugar.
I’m so happy to hear it, Mike! Enjoy! 😀
One of my 3yr old’s fav dinners to help make when she’s being a chef.
Comes together easily and quickly in one dish, she can use her little kid knives to slice some tomatoes, and we sneak a little cheese off the top before it goes in the oven.
10/10; Is in regular weeknight rotation at our house.
Oh my gosh, too cute!! Happy eating! 😀
Love your recipes! From a newbie to vegetarian dishes, I have to say 5 stars. But your Marry Me Butter Beans, with creamy Tuscan sauce, is still my favourite, just.
Love hearing that you’re enjoying our veggie recipes, thanks for trying them!
I found it to be a little heavy with the gnocchi but delicious and so easy,. I will definitely make it again with a lighter pasta…rotini maybe.
Hi! Instead of the butter beans, can I use cubed tofu? Would you recommend adding it into the same pan or preparing it separately?
I haven’t tested this one with tofu, so I can’t say for sure, but I think it would work. I would add it at the same time that you would have added the butter beans!
Made this today for dinner! So delicious! My granddaughter absolutely loved it! I have made several of your recipes and every single one is a winner. This one included!
Love hearing this, so glad you and your granddaughter enjoyed it Di!
This was so easy and yummy! I had other white beans so I included them instead of the butter beans. My meat loving spouse is a fan!
I’m so happy to hear it was a hit, Sara! Happy eating!
Great recipe. Didn’t change a thing. SO easy.
So thrilled to hear you loved it, Karol!
Do you have to use the basil? I’m not a fan of it but I really want to try this recipe out. Thanks
You can leave it out! If you like other herbs, rosemary or thyme would be great 🙂