Baked Gnocchi and Amanda Hernandez Interview. In this episode of Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, host Charlie welcomes Amanda Hernandez. She is the VP, Community Accountability Officer for Associated Bank.
Amanda has 20 years of experience in community service and philanthropy. She shares her inspiring journey from the south side of Milwaukee. Her journey led to a pivotal role in shaping community relationships through funding.
You can also listen to the podcast version of this interview and cooking episode –
Join a discussion about Amanda’s commitment to strengthening local communities. Learn how her background has given her unique insights into the nonprofit sector. Explore her experiences at Wisconsin Philanthropy Network and how they paved the way for her impactful work at Associated Bank.
In the culinary segment, Amanda, along with her son Jack, whips up a delightful Italian gnocchi dish. This showcases that even busy leaders find time to cook a meal that pleases the family. Tune in for a taste of Milwaukee’s warmth, dedication, and food-loving spirit!
Baked gnocchi is a hearty dish. It combines soft gnocchi with a rich sauce. The sauce is often tomato-based or creamy. It is topped with cheese and baked until bubbling and golden. It’s essentially a gnocchi casserole and is beloved for its comforting, satisfying flavors.
Key Components of Baked Gnocchi:
Gnocchi:
Typically made from potatoes, flour, and sometimes eggs. To make it gluten-free, omit the flour.
Can be store-bought (fresh, frozen, or shelf-stable) or homemade.
Often briefly boiled before baking, though some recipes bake them directly in the sauce if enough liquid is included.
Sauce:
Tomato-based: Think marinara or a meat ragù for a lasagna-like feel.
Cream-based: Like a béchamel, Alfredo, or a Gorgonzola sauce for richness.
Pesto or butter-based: Less common, but adds unique flavor twists.
Add-ins (optional but popular):
Cooked sausage, pancetta, or ground meat
Spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or kale
Herbs like basil, thyme, or oregano
Cheese:
Mozzarella, Parmesan, ricotta, or fontina are common.
Cheese is often mixed in and layered on top for a gooey, golden finish.
Cooking the Baked Gnocchi:
Typically baked at 375–400° for 20–30 minutes.
Finished with a broil for a browned, bubbly top.
Why People Love Baked Gnocchi:
- It’s easy: Minimal prep, and you can use pantry staples.
- It’s flexible: You can change it endlessly.
- It’s indulgent: Creamy, cheesy, and carb-rich.
- It stores and reheats well, making it great for leftovers.
Variation: Baked Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
A classic southern Italian version made with gnocchi, tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, and Parmesan. It’s simple and vegetarian, yet incredibly flavorful.
Baked Gnocchi
Materials
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp corn starch for gluten free
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 lb gnocchi gluten-free
- 2 cups chopped spinach
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook sausage and onion in a cast iron skillet over med-high heat until browned
- Stir in chopped garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and cook 1 minute.
- Add corn starch, cook and stir for 1 minute or until no white remains.
- Stir in chicken broth and whipping cream. Cook over medium heat until thickened.
- Add uncooked gnocchi and spinach, stir to combine. Top with mozzarella & Parm
- Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes.
- Uncover and broil to brown slightly if desired.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Video
Nutrition
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A few days later, they were discussing me on the radio. It is a local Foodie show, “This Bites” on Radio Milwaukee 88.9 dining critic Ann Christenson from Milwaukee Magazine and Radio Milwaukee’s resident foodie Tarik Moody. My series, Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders, is in the show’s first few minutes.
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In The News
We were featured in a Redfin article! Check it out here: Designing the Perfect Kitchen for Home Cooks.
Shepherd Express (Milwaukee) article on our Cooking with Milwaukee Community Leaders show – you can read that article here
Good Counsel HS (My Alma Mater) Magazine article about Cooking Secrets for Men – you can read that article here.
Meet Charlie DeSando – “Voyage Tampa” article, which you can read here.
We were featured in a Redfin article! Check it out here: Designing the Perfect Kitchen for Home Cooks
Meet Charlie DeSando – “Voyage Tampa” article, which you can read here.
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Loved cooking with Amanda and her son Jack