Lobster Gnocchi

Lobster gnocchi is the kind of dish that turns a regular dinner into an occasion. Tender pillows of potato pasta and sweet lobster meat get tucked into a creamy cheese sauce, then baked under a crisp, buttery topping until everything bubbles at the edges.

The sauce starts with a simple roux, so do not let that step worry you. Once you have the cheese melted in, the rest is just stirring, layering, and waiting for the oven to do its work.

Add the cheese off direct high heat and stir until smooth so the sauce stays silky instead of grainy.

Why You’ll Love This Lobster Gnocchi

• This baked lobster gnocchi is creamy in the middle and crisp on top, all in one dish.
• The gruyere and white cheddar sauce tastes rich without feeling heavy on the palate.
• Sweet chunks of lobster and a hint of tarragon make every forkful feel special.

Ingredient Notes

Here are a few notes on the ingredients that matter most. You will find the exact measurements in the recipe card below, so this is just to help you shop and prep with confidence.

• Lobster meat: cooked and chopped; any firm-fleshed seafood works if lobster is hard to find.
• Gnocchi: premade and uncooked, since it cooks through in the sauce as it bakes.
• Gruyere and white cheddar: shred them yourself for the smoothest melt.
• Old Bay seasoning: gives the breadcrumb topping its signature seafood flavor.
• Fresh tarragon: brings a gentle anise note that suits the lobster.

For equipment, you will want a large skillet, a heavy stockpot for the sauce, a big mixing bowl, and a 9×13 baking dish. A whisk makes the roux and cream step much easier.

How to Make Lobster Gnocchi

Making lobster gnocchi breaks down into three easy stages: a quick wine and shallot base, a cheesy cream sauce, and a toasted crumb topping. Combine everything, bake, and serve.

1. Toss the lobster and gnocchi in a large bowl and preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cook the shallots and garlic in oil, then add white wine and butter and simmer 5 minutes.
3. Melt butter, whisk in flour, and cook until golden, about 4 to 5 minutes.
4. Whisk in cream and milk, then stir in the cheeses, tarragon, and seasonings until thick, about 5 to 7 minutes.
5. Coat the gnocchi and lobster with sauce, spread in a greased 9×13 dish, and top with Old Bay breadcrumbs.
6. Bake for 40 minutes until hot and bubbly.

This recipe makes a generous 8 servings, so it suits a crowd. To prep ahead, assemble the dish, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 1 day, then add a few extra minutes to the bake time.

Storage Options

Leftover lobster gnocchi keeps well and reheats into a comforting next-day lunch. Let it cool fully before storing so the topping does not turn soggy.

1. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
2. Freeze portions, well wrapped, for up to 2 months.
3. Reheat in a 350 degree oven until warmed through, about 20 minutes.

Variations & Substitutions

This baked lobster gnocchi is easy to adjust based on what you have. Swap the protein or tweak the cheese and you have a brand-new dish.

1. Use shrimp, crab, or a firm white fish in place of lobster.
2. Trade gruyere for fontina or havarti for a milder melt.
3. Stir in a handful of baby spinach for a little color and greens.
4. Skip the Old Bay and use plain buttered crumbs for a gentler topping.

If you love seafood pasta dishes, you might also enjoy this chilled lobster pasta salad for warmer days.

What to Serve with Lobster Gnocchi

Since lobster gnocchi is rich, lean on bright, simple sides to round out the plate. A little acidity and some greenery balance all that creamy cheese.

1. A crisp green salad with a sharp lemon vinaigrette.
2. Roasted asparagus or green beans with a squeeze of citrus.
3. A glass of the same dry white wine used in the sauce.
4. Try a lighter pasta night later in the week with this sage and almond fusilli.

Still have a few questions before you start? Here are the ones readers ask most often.

Whether it is a holiday or just a night you want something memorable, this dish delivers comfort and a touch of luxury in every bite. Make it once and it may become your go-to special-occasion main.

A Beautiful Bite

Lobster Gnocchi

4.86 from 7 votes

Lobster Gnocchi. A decadent holiday main or side. A showstopper that will rival any lobster mac-n-cheese type recipe you’ve had in any restaurant. Ever.

Prep:30 minutes mins

Cook:40 minutes mins

Total:1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings:8 serving

Author:A Beautiful Bite

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Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 lbs lobster meat cooked and chopped (or any firm fleshed seafood)
• ▢ 3 lbs premade gnocchi uncooked
• ▢ 3 Tbsp olive oil
• ▢ ½ cup shallots finely chopped
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
• ▢ 1 cup dry white wine
• ▢ 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
• ▢ 2 sticks unsalted butter
• ▢ ½ cup plus 2 Tbsp flour
• ▢ 1 cup heavy cream
• ▢ 6 cups milk
• ▢ 1 lb gruyere cheese shredded
• ▢ 4 oz sharp white cheddar shredded
• ▢ ¼ cup fresh tarragon finely chopped
• ▢ a few dashes tabasco sauce
• ▢ 1½ tsp salt
• ▢ fresh ground black pepper to taste I used lots, be generous
• ▢ 3 Tbsp butter
• ▢ 1½ cup unseasoned finely ground breadcrumbs
• ▢ 1 Tbsp Old Bay seasoning

Instructions 

• Place lobster and gnocchi in a very large mixing bowl. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 375º. Grease a 9×13 baker.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook shallots for several minutes. Add garlic and cook for another several minutes. Add white wine and butter. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for five minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• In a heavy 2 qt stockpot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add flour and cook until golden. (about 4-5 minutes) Add cream and milk. Whisk this mixture for several minutes until it is smooth. Add cheeses, tarragon, tabasco sauce, salt and black pepper. Cook until thickened. This takes about another 5-7 minutes.
• Remove from heat and taste the sauce. Does it need more salt? if yes, add a little bit more until it tastes right to you.
• Pour sauce over gnocchi/lobster mixture. Mix to coat. Pour mixture into 9×13 baker. Set aside.
• In a large skillet, heat 3 Tbsp butter over medium-high heat. Add breadcrumbs and Old Bay seasoning when butter is bubbly. Stir mixture until it is lightly browned. Remove from heat and spoon over lobster/gnocchi mixture.
• Place baker in a 375º oven and bake for 40 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 657kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 43gFat: 47gSaturated Fat: 26gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2.8gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 277mgSodium: 998mgPotassium: 605mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 73400IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 9240mgIron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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