Lauren's Latest » Gnocchi & Bacon Gratin with Garlic Bechamel

Monday, February 6, 2012

Gnocchi & Bacon Gratin with Garlic Bechamel

There’s a GIVEAWAY starting today! Come check it out and enter HERE!

So, Monday….we meet again! Is it just me or are these weeks flying by? Yesterday I was organizing and deleting lots of photos off my laptop and it made me realize that not too long ago, my baby was in fact a teeny tiny baby. She has turned into the most joyful, animated, beautiful and smart little girl. She’s not a toddler any more, she’s a small lady that happens to be turning 3 on Wednesday….excuse me while I go back to bed and cry myself to sleep. Seriously, some days seem to drag on forever, but looking back they fly right by.

Sigh….

Almost makes me want to have another one….almost.

I’m not dropping any hints, fyi.

So, I’ve been wallowing these last few days. Translation: I’ve been shoveling in the carbs. This recipe was one of my favorites I’ve made. Creamy, dreamy, garlicky, bacony and all around comfort in a bowl. Perfect for bad days, blizzards and potlucks alike. Serve it with a salad and that’s dinner. The only bad thing about this recipe is it requires the use of more than one pot. Do I like dishes? Never. Is this dinner worth the extra dishwashing later? TOTALLY. Also, I thought there could have been more bacon. Bacon is what makes the world go ’round, dontcha think?

I’m glad we agree.

Here’s how it goes down–start by cooking some bacon in a pretty deep skillet. I used some thick cut peppered bacon…because I can.

While the bacon sizzles, sprinkle some breadcrumbs into a small skillet with some butter and place over medium heat. Once the butter starts to melt, stir so the crumbs get evenly moistened.

Peel some gah-lic and have it waiting in the wings too. I love garlic. Keeps you healthy…or so I hear.

Get a pot of water and bring it to boil for these bad boys. Do you know how long it took me to find these gnocchi? Yeah…13 days and 6 stores later, I finally found some at Target!! Who knew Target sold gnocchi of all things.

Once your bacon is done, remove it from the pan and get rid of most of the drippings because…..

we’re going to replace them with butter!! I just had a Paula Deen flashback. Weird.

Once you get that butter into the pot with that tiny bit of bacon grease, grate in that garlic.

You only want to cook it about 1 minute–not long at all! You don’t want it to turn bitter!

After that, sprinkle in some flour! It’s béchamel time, baby!

Once you stir the flour in, things look sort of pasty. Cook this paste a minute or two to get rid of the raw flour flavor and then–

slowly whisk in the milk to avoid lump city.

After a minute or two, your béchamel should start to thicken. Reduce the heat way down and add in salt, pepper and nutmeg. I didn’t take any pictures of that but lets pretend I did.

Don’t forget about those bread crumbs! Once they turn golden, remove from the heat!

After your sauce is complete, you’re going to want to cook that gnocchi. They take 2 minutes to cook. Once they float, they’re done! I strained mine off and dropped them right into the sauce.

Along with that bacon we started with.

Once everything looks bueno, dump it into a baking dish and throw it into the oven. If your sauce got too thick, splash in a little milk or cream.

And then remember you made those bread crumbs, take it out of the oven, sprinkle them on top and place back into the oven.

After 15 or 20 minutes, pull it out and dig right in.

Like I mentioned before, I would have loved more bacon, but this was pretty darn tasty as is. Garlicky, creamy, and dreamy! Mmmmm…. Enjoy! Hope you like this one! We sure did!

Gnocchi & Bacon Gratin with Garlic Bechamel
yield: 2-4 servings, depending on appetites
Print This Recipe

Ingredients:
3 slices thick-cut bacon
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cups milk
2 large cloves garlic
17 oz. package gnocchi
salt & pepper, to taste
scant 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
topping-
2/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
1 1/2 tablespoons butter

Directions:
Bring large pot of water to boil. Sprinkle breadcrumbs and butter into small skillet and place on medium heat. Once butter melts, stir breadcrumbs around to moisten completely and brown lightly. Remove from heat and set aside. Once bacon is cooked and crisp, remove from skillet onto paper towels to drain. Leave 1 tablespoon bacon grease in pan and melt in 2 tablespoons butter. Grate in garlic cloves and cook 1 minute. Sprinkle in flour and whisk. Cook 1-2 minutes and then whisk in milk slowly to prevent lumps. Add in salt, pepper and nutmeg and reduce heat to low. Pour gnocchi into boiling water and cook until they start to float, 2-3 minutes. While gnocchi is cooking, crumble cooked bacon. Drain gnocchi and stir into sauce. Add in bacon. Pour entire contents into buttered baking dish and sprinkle with toasted bread crumbs. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes and serve hot.

dinner

34 comments »

34 Responses to “Gnocchi & Bacon Gratin with Garlic Bechamel”

#
1

Kathryn — February 6, 2012 at 9:17 am
I am always looking for more things to do with gnocchi and this sounds just too good to be true. I love all that creamy garlicky bacony goodness. Plus I have a recipe somewhere for homemade gnocchi that takes 5 minutes to make, let me know if you want it so you don’t have to spend another 13 days looking for some!

Reply
- Lauren — February 6th, 2012 @ 4:14 pm
  
  YES!!! Send me that recipe! 5 minutes? Too good to be true??
  
  Reply
#
2

Julie @ Table for Two — February 6, 2012 at 1:52 pm

there is so much YUM in this dish!! I love creamy sauces especially with BACON! that’s so sweet about your baby girl — she’ll always be your baby happy early bday to that sweet daughter of yours!

Reply
#
3

DessertForTwo — February 6, 2012 at 2:04 pm

Come to mama!!! I sure could use a carb fest right now myself!

Reply
#
4

Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids — February 6, 2012 at 2:44 pm

This looks absolutely perfect. Cream, garlic, bacon – cannot go wrong with that combination.

Reply
#
5

Ann — February 6, 2012 at 2:46 pm
The days are long but the years are short…

Reply
- Lauren — February 6th, 2012 @ 4:15 pm
  
  SO true!
  
  Reply
#
6

Bev Weidner — February 6, 2012 at 3:36 pm

I HAVE JUST DIED.

Reply
#
7

Erin — February 6, 2012 at 3:52 pm

I am with Bev – absolutely delicious looking!!

Reply
#
8

Gina @ Running to the Kitchen — February 6, 2012 at 4:05 pm

This is just everything that’s right in the world in one little casserole dish. Holy yum!

Reply
#
9

Sommer@ASpicyPerspective — February 6, 2012 at 4:13 pm

Richy, rich! What a naughty dish, indeed. I want it!!

Reply
#
10

Laurie {Simply Scratch} — February 6, 2012 at 4:54 pm

I like it! I like it a lot! Great recipe Lauren!

Reply
#
11

cassie — February 6, 2012 at 5:27 pm

Love garlic. Love bechamel. Love gnocchi. Totally love this meal!

Reply
#
12

Sheila — February 6, 2012 at 5:53 pm

I love everything about this dish…it looks amazing…it is fat free right? ; D

Reply
#
13

Elizabeth @ Chronic Venture — February 6, 2012 at 6:26 pm

yummm! looks so delicious!

Reply
#
14

Jessica — February 6, 2012 at 7:10 pm

Ohhh yes! I looovveee me some gnocchi…and Garlic Bechamel? Count me in!

Reply
#
15

Jessica @ How Sweet — February 6, 2012 at 7:31 pm

oh god i want this for dinner. i mean lunch. now.

Reply
#
16

Sarah — February 6, 2012 at 7:52 pm

This sounds like upscale mac & cheese – delicious!

Reply
#
17

honeywhatscooking — February 6, 2012 at 10:07 pm

this looks sooooooooo yummy. I love gnocchi.

Reply
#
18

Russell at Chasing Delicious — February 6, 2012 at 10:34 pm

Yum! What a scrumptious recipe. I haven’t tried anything like this but I’m going to change that asap!

Reply
#
19

Deborah — February 6, 2012 at 11:08 pm

I feel ya – Abbi turned 3 at the end of January. Such a bittersweet moment! (I’m afraid I’m going to be a mess when kindergarten rolls around…) This looks like the kind of thing I’d want to drown myself in!

Reply
#
20

Anna @ hiddenponies — February 6, 2012 at 11:16 pm

What perfect wallowing food…yum.

Reply
#
21

Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) — February 7, 2012 at 12:09 am

That looks like comfort food to me!!!!!!

Reply
#
22

Lannie — February 7, 2012 at 1:30 am

this is 100% decadence, everything delicious and carby, then with garlic and bacon and gratin’d! i need this RIGHT now!!

Reply
#
23

Living The Sweet Life — February 7, 2012 at 2:06 am

OH.
MY.
WORD.

I’m honestly speechless. This is total comfort food that will keep me warm and cozy forever and ever!! I think I now believe in love at first sight

Reply
#
24

Krissy's Creations — February 7, 2012 at 5:18 am

Woah Lauren! This looks insanely delicious! That Garlic Bechamel looks too good to be true. Then combined with soft gnocci… LOVE!

Reply
#
25

Lauren @ What Lauren Likes — February 7, 2012 at 11:53 am

this dish is like the queen of comfort food! Looks great

Reply
#
26

Traci — February 7, 2012 at 5:52 pm

This looks absolutely amazing! I think our family would absolutely love it. Thank you! Will make this for a family dinner!

Reply
#
27

Charity — February 7, 2012 at 7:48 pm

This was delicious! I skipped the breadcrumbs, but added swiss chard and broccoli and a topping of parmesan. Decadent without being overly heavy!

Reply
#
28

Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious — February 29, 2012 at 4:31 am

Just made this for dinner tonight and it was the best thing ever! It was so easy and simple to make, yet it was one of the best dinners I’ve ever eaten!

Will definitely have to make again.

Btw, you are a genius

Reply
#
29

Priscila — August 14, 2012 at 8:25 am
Hi, I have a questions…

Do you think doubling this recipe would go well? My husband and I have been implementing cooking on Sunday for the week ahead and casseroles are perfect for that. I would preferably like to have enough for 2 dinners and 2 lunches, but my husband eats A LOT! So, I’m wondering how much of this recipe to fill a full size casserole dish (think at least 9×13). Any recommendations would really help!

Reply
- Lauren — August 14th, 2012 @ 5:49 pm
  
  Yup, freezing should be ok. I’ve never done it, but I think it should hold up just fine if you cover it well.
  
  Reply