Crab and Asparagus Gnocchi and Cheese
Gnocchi replaces macaroni in this creamy, comforting gnocchi and cheese dish. I mixed in some crab meat and asparagus, you can mix in whatever you’d like!
The other day, Hubby texted me to say I should work from home. He goes in to work at the crack of dawn (around 6am) as I’m just getting out of bed. He warned me that the roads were bad, so with my car being not so great on slippery roads, I heeded his warning and worked from home.
As the day progressed and more snow fell, it was starting to become one of those days where you just want some pure comfort food. I had been eyeing this recipe for a while so I had most of the ingredients on hand – score. I really wouldn’t have to leave the house that day (or change out of my pajamas).
Hubby went to shovel the driveway right after getting home from work and when he came back in we sat down to eat. Now he’s wishing I would work from home more often. 🙂 I love that this recipe uses gnocchi instead of pasta. I used real crab meat, which definitely isn’t cheap, but it’s SO worth the splurge on this recipe. You can taste crab in every bite since the meat is basically shredded and mixed in.
I added asparagus to the recipe because I wanted something green in there. You could leave it out or sub something else in if you wanted. I also reduced the amount of bread crumbs on top after reading the comments on the original recipe. I would love to make this again with different mix-ins. I’m thinking ham and peas would be great.
Two Years Ago: Salted Caramel Pecan Brownies
Three Years Ago: Chocolate Hazelnut Baklava
Four Years Ago: Two Potato Chowder
Five Years Ago: Smashed Chickpea Salad
Crab and Asparagus Gnocchi and Cheese
Gnocchi replaces macaroni in this creamy, comforting gnocchi and cheese dish. I mixed in some crab meat and asparagus, you can mix in whatever you'd like!
Yield: Serves 6
Ingredients:
16 oz gnocchi
1 lb cooked crab meat
1 lb asparagus, chopped
4 Tbsp butter, divided
2 Tbsp flour
3 cloves garlic, minced
Zest of 1 lemon
1 1/2 cups whole milk
4 oz shredded gruyere
6 oz shredded havarti
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
pinch smoked paprika
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place a large pot of salted water over high heat. Bring to a boil, and cooked the gnocchi according to the package instructions.
Drain the gnocchi and place in a 9X9 inch baking dish. Add the asparagus and crab meat and mix.
In a large sauce pot melt half of the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour followed by the garlic and lemon zest. Cook for another minute, then add the milk and whisk until smooth.
Once the mixture is warm, add the cheeses. Stir to blend, then add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, and paprika. Once smooth, taste for salt and pour the cheese mixture over the crab, asparagus, and gnocchi. Mix and smooth in the baking dish.
Then melt the remaining butter and toss with the bread crumbs. Sprinkle the top with bread crumbs, and bake for 20-30 minutes, until the edges are bubbly and the top is golden.
Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Recipe adapted from A Spicy Perspective
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
Love these, I could eat the whole batch myself. So much healthier than the boxed crackers, that have all those ingredients I can’t pronounce!
beantownbaker — January 16th, 2013 @ 5:27 pm
I completely agree. We avoid processed foods as much as possible. I was glad to find a snack that Hubby loves so much and is *so* easy to make at home.
These cheez its are stunning looking! They must be very cheesy and crispy! I really need to make this for my husband soon!
beantownbaker — January 17th, 2013 @ 4:51 pm
They definitely are! Hubby convinced me to make more this weekend already 🙂
looks delicious – how do you think this would work with other cheeses? I’m thinkin’ pepper jack…
beantownbaker — January 18th, 2013 @ 2:29 pm
I would think other cheeses would work pretty well. I wouldn’t use anything too soft, but pepper jack should work. Let me know how it goes if you try it!
These look fantastic. Great photos. I’m going to make some this weekend. Please check out the food blog I have just started http://www.surreyKitchen.wordpress.com. Thanks!
beantownbaker — January 21st, 2013 @ 3:24 pm
Let me know what you think of them if you do make them!
I HATE pickles. They are awful, but I definitely love cheese crackers. I especially love white cheddar cheez-its 😉
beantownbaker — January 23rd, 2013 @ 2:27 pm
You should definitely make these then – they’re seriously so good!
beantownbaker — January 23rd, 2013 @ 8:34 pm
I don’t even eat my french fries that touched the pickle at restaurants. And I LOVE french fries!
I have always thought making your own crackers would be too much work. Your version looks straightforward and delightful. I’m sure the taste is worth all the effort!
beantownbaker — January 23rd, 2013 @ 10:27 pm
I agree, it was definitely much easier than I would have guessed. My sister, who never bakes, has already made these twice!
I don’t like fries that touched pickles either! Not only do they then taste like a pickle, but they get soggy and I prefer crunchy fries!
Um… Cheez-Its are one food I cannot have around. Once I open the box, I pretty much eat the whole thing. I love this homemade version!
Hello! I am more of a baker than a cook, so I was very nervous about what to make for my boyfriend’s Superbowl party! Found this recipe, and just made it! SUPER easy! I am really impressed by how much it tastes like a cheez-it… but better! I like this recipe and hope to try it with other cheeses! Thanks!
PS. I did use the silicon baking mat and that made it a lot easier. Good point to follow!
beantownbaker — February 3rd, 2013 @ 9:45 pm
So glad you enjoyed them!! I’ve already made them a handful of times with various cheeses and spices thrown in. They’ve all been delicious.
Oh my.Jen you done it.My little girl loves cheez it.I throwed the cheddar cheese(little bite size) once, don’t know what to make with it .I wish i had seen this earlier 🙁
Any was can we make these with bite size cheese sticks.?
MyKitchenOdyssey
beantownbaker — November 7th, 2013 @ 10:07 am
I’m sure you could use this dough to make any shape you’d like…
Thanks for your reply .I meant the cracker barrel cheese ,Can i use this cheese to bake cheez its.
MyKitchenOdyssey
beantownbaker — November 24th, 2013 @ 5:37 pm
I think any cheese that comes in a block would be fine for this recipe.
Many thanks jen.I will be doing it very soon.
MyKitchenOdyssey