Description
This Pumpkin Gnocchi Bake is a comforting and delicious dish featuring tender pumpkin cubes, pillowy gnocchi, and a creamy blend of blue or goat’s cheese, finished with crunchy pecans and crisp sage. Perfect as a warm autumn meal, this recipe can be prepared in an air fryer for quick convenience or baked in the oven for a classic approach.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Base
- 350g pumpkin, peeled and diced into bite-sized cubes
- 500g gnocchi
Cheeses
- 50g blue cheese or soft goat’s cheese
- 50g mozzarella or cheddar cheese
Liquids
- 400ml vegetable stock
- 1/4 cup single dairy cream
Nuts and Herbs
- 30g pecans
- 6g sage leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the pumpkin: Dice the pumpkin into small cubes roughly 2cm wide to ensure they cook evenly and within the required time.
- Cook pumpkin in air fryer or oven: For air fryer, place diced pumpkin in the basket or a compatible baking dish with 100ml vegetable stock, salt, and pepper, then air fry at 170°C for 15 minutes until the pumpkin softens but retains some firmness. For oven, roast the pumpkin with the same ingredients at 180°C for 20 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients: Add the rest of the vegetable stock and nestle the gnocchi around the pumpkin pieces. Crumble the blue or goat cheese on top, pour the cream over everything, and gently stir to combine.
- Cook combined mixture: Air fry the mixture at 220°C for 12 minutes until the pumpkin and gnocchi are fully cooked and bubbling. Alternatively, roast in the oven at 220°C for 10–15 minutes.
- Top with cheese and pecans: Sprinkle mozzarella or cheddar cheese and pecans over the top and continue cooking for 2 minutes in the air fryer or 2–3 minutes in the oven until the cheese melts and turns golden.
- Add crispy sage: Toss sage leaves in a small drizzle of oil and scatter over the hot bake. Cook for an additional 1 minute in the air fryer or oven until crisp and fragrant.
- Serve and enjoy: Carefully remove from heat and serve warm as a flavorful and hearty bake perfect for chilly days.
Notes
- Tip: To add meat, place strips of ham (such as Serrano, Parma, or Speck) over the pumpkin during the initial cooking and air fry until crisp. Remove and crumble over the bake when serving for an added savory crunch.
- Adjust air fryer times slightly depending on your model to avoid overcooking or undercooking.
- Ensure pumpkin cubes are small for even cooking in the recommended times.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/3 of recipe)
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
