Gnocchi broccoli cheese

Bubbling Gnocchi Broccoli Cheese

If you’re looking for a quick, comforting, and delicious meal, this Bubbling Gnocchi Broccoli Cheese is a must-try! Gnocchi, those little pillowy Italian dumplings, make for a fantastic base in a cheesy, creamy bake that feels indulgent but is actually packed with goodness. This dish combines gnocchi, tender broccoli, and creamy haricot beans in a rich, savoury cheese sauce—perfect for a satisfying family dinner.

Beans, beans, beans, beans!

I’ve always loved beans as a cheap and nutritious way to bulk up a meal. I also find that beans are an inoffensive way to add goodness to meals for kids- my girls will eat them in a dish like this with no complaining- they are soft, small and don’t have a strong flavour.

Beans are a fantastic source of plant-based protein, fibre, and essential vitamins. They help keep you full for longer, support digestion, and provide a great alternative to meat in vegetarian meals. Haricot beans, used in this recipe, are mild and creamy, but you can easily swap them out for other varieties such as:

• Cannellini beans – Creamy and slightly nutty, great for a richer texture.
• Butter beans – Soft and velvety, adding extra indulgence to the dish.
• Chickpeas – A firmer option that brings a slight bite and extra protein.

Swapping the beans in this recipe is an easy way to add variety and tailor it to your taste preferences.

How does gnocchi broccoli cheese work on Slimming World?

This gnocchi broccoli cheese makes a great family-friendly meal if you are following Slimming World. It’s packed full of healthy broccoli (speed food) and filling beans (free), so it makes a lovely bowl of comfort food. 

Gnocchi does contain syns, and this can vary with brand, so just make sure you check what you are using. You can use the ‘food search’ tool on the Slimming World app or website to input your brand. You could of course replace the gnocchi with other types of pasta to make it syn free. The fresh gnocchi (in with other fresh pasta in the fridge section of the supermarket) tends to be lower in syns than the long-life dried version

Reduced fat soft cheese is a brilliant lower calorie white sauce alternative, and is usually around 2 syns per 25g. If you use Primula cheese spread then you can use this as a Healthy Extra A.

Semi-skimmed milk can be used as a Healthy Extra A- 250ml is one HEA (or 6 syns).

Cheddar cheese (I tend to use full fat not the lighter version because I think it tastes and melts better) has 6 syns per 30g, or 30g is a Healthy Extra A.

So in this recipe: 500g gnocchi- 12.5 syns (BUT please check your brand as this varies greatly), 100g light soft cheese: 8 syns, milk and cheddar cheese: 6 Healthy Extra A portions.

This meal is around 5.5 syns per portion, as well as 1.5 Healthy Extra A. You will need to recalculate the syns if you are not using your healthy extra A for this meal.

Some side-dish suggestions:

Mixed green salad – A fresh contrast to the cheesy richness.

Roasted veggies – Syn-free if cooked with low-calorie spray.

Garlic mushrooms – A tasty and healthy side.

Spring leeks and peas – A side dish which is full of flavour and great for upping the vegetable count of this meal!