The Magic of One Pan
I love a one skillet gnocchi. It makes a quick skillet meal feel special. You cook everything in one pan. That means less washing up later. I still laugh at that.
This is my favorite weeknight dinner recipe. It comes together so fast. You start with bacon. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Its flavor cooks right into the sauce. This matters because good food should be simple. It should not make a big mess.
A Springtime Vegetable
Let’s talk about our asparagus. It adds a fresh, green crunch. I like to snap the ends off. They break right where they should. *Fun fact: Asparagus is a member of the lily family!*
We cook it in the bacon fat. This gives it a wonderful savory taste. This asparagus gnocchi is a celebration of spring. What is your favorite spring vegetable to cook with? Tell me in the comments.
Little Pillows of Goodness
Now, the star: the gnocchi. These are soft Italian dumplings. This easy gnocchi recipe uses fresh ones from the store. It saves so much time. They soak up the creamy sauce like a dream.
Using fresh gnocchi is key for this Italian gnocchi recipe. The packaged dry kind works, but fresh is better. It gets nice and tender. This matters because the texture should be soft and comforting. Like a little hug in a bowl.
Building the Creamy Sauce
The sauce for this creamy gnocchi recipe is simple. Just cream, broth, and cheese. You let it bubble in the pan. The gnocchi cooks right in it. This makes the sauce thick and rich.
Stir in the Parmesan at the end. It makes everything creamy and salty. This creamy bacon gnocchi is pure comfort. Do you prefer creamy sauces or tomato-based ones? I’d love to know.
Bringing It All Together
Finally, we mix everything back in. The crispy bacon, the tender asparagus. It all goes into our one pan gnocchi. The colors look so pretty together. Green, creamy white, and bits of bacon.
This gnocchi with asparagus and bacon is a complete meal. You have your vegetable, your starch, your protein. It feels fancy but is so easy. What is your go-to meal when you want to feel fancy without the fuss? Share your ideas below.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bacon | 5 slices | |
| Asparagus | 8 oz. | cut into 1″ pieces |
| Salt and black pepper | for seasoning | |
| Extra-virgin olive oil | 1 to 2 teaspoons | optional |
| Shallot | 1 medium | finely chopped |
| Fresh thyme leaves | 2 teaspoons | |
| Fresh gnocchi | 1 lb. | |
| Heavy cream | 3/4 cup | |
| Chicken broth | 3/4 cup | |
| Parmesan cheese | 1/2 cup | finely grated |
Instructions
Step 1: Cook your bacon in a big skillet. Let it get nice and crispy. That smell is the best welcome home. Move the bacon to a plate to cool. (Save that tasty bacon fat in a bowl for later).
Step 2: Now, cook your asparagus pieces in that same pan. Just a little salt and pepper is all they need. They’re done when they’re bright green and tender. This makes the perfect asparagus gnocchi base for our one skillet gnocchi.
Step 3: Next, add a bit of chopped shallot and thyme. It will smell like a fancy Italian restaurant. Then, pour in the gnocchi, cream, and broth. This is the heart of our creamy bacon gnocchi easy gnocchi recipe.
Step 4: Cover the pan and let it simmer for four minutes. This cooks the gnocchi right in the sauce. Uncover and stir until the sauce is beautifully thick. What’s your favorite weeknight dinner recipe? Share below!
Step 5: Take the pan off the heat. Stir in the Parmesan, asparagus, and bacon. The cheese melts into the hot creamy gnocchi recipe. (Always add cheese off the heat so it stays smooth). Serve your gnocchi with asparagus and bacon right away!
Creative Twists
Swap the asparagus for fresh peas or broccoli. Use smoked Gouda instead of Parmesan for a deeper flavor. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little gentle heat. Which one would you try first? Comment below!Serving & Pairing Ideas
This one pan gnocchi is a full meal by itself. I love it with a simple green salad on the side. A crusty piece of bread is perfect for wiping the bowl clean. For a true Italian gnocchi recipe feel, finish with a scoop of lemon sorbet. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Skillet Gnocchi Fresh
Let’s talk about storing this easy gnocchi recipe. You can keep leftovers in the fridge for three days. Just put them in a sealed container. The sauce will thicken up when it’s cold. That’s perfectly normal.
I remember my first creamy bacon gnocchi. I made far too much! I learned to reheat it gently. Use a skillet with a splash of broth or cream. Stir it over low heat until warm. This keeps your one pan gnocchi creamy and delicious.
You can also freeze this weeknight dinner recipe. Freeze it in a single layer first. Then pack the pieces in a bag. This stops them from sticking together in a big lump.
Batch cooking this quick skillet meal saves busy nights. Making a double portion takes little extra time. Then you have a future meal ready to go. This matters because it gives you a night off from cooking. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Gnocchi Hiccups
Even easy recipes can have little problems. Do not worry. Here are three easy fixes. First, your gnocchi might be gummy. This happens if you boil them first. For this Italian gnocchi recipe, cook them right in the sauce. They soak up all that lovely flavor instead of water.
Second, the sauce might look too thin. Just let it simmer a bit longer. Keep the pan uncovered. Stir it often. The sauce will thicken up nicely. I once added the cheese too early and it clumped. Now I always take the pan off the heat first.
Third, the asparagus could get too soft. Cook it just until bright green and tender. Then take it out of the pan. You will add it back at the end. This keeps a nice little crunch. Getting these steps right builds your cooking confidence. It also makes the flavors in your gnocchi with asparagus and bacon just perfect. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
How to make gnocchi with bacon and cream sauce?
Follow this one skillet gnocchi recipe. Cook bacon until crispy first. Use that tasty fat to cook your asparagus. Then make the creamy sauce right in the same pan. Add store-bought gnocchi, cream, and broth. Simmer until thick. Stir in cheese, bacon, and asparagus at the end. It is a simple, creamy gnocchi recipe perfect for any night.
What are the best herbs for spring gnocchi?
Fresh thyme is wonderful in this asparagus gnocchi. It has a gentle, earthy flavor. Fresh chives or parsley are also lovely spring choices. You can stir them in at the very end. Dried herbs work too. Use about half the amount if you use dried. Herbs make the whole dish taste fresh and new, just like spring.
Can I use frozen gnocchi for this recipe?
Yes, frozen gnocchi works fine for this quick skillet meal. There is no need to thaw it first. Just add it straight from the freezer. You may need to cook it for one or two extra minutes. Let the sauce simmer until the gnocchi are tender and hot all the way through. This is a great weeknight dinner recipe shortcut.
What to serve with spring gnocchi and bacon?
This creamy bacon gnocchi is a full meal in one pan. A simple green salad on the side is perfect. Some crusty bread is nice too. It is great for soaking up the extra sauce. For a lighter touch, add some cherry tomatoes. They add a sweet, juicy pop next to the rich and savory flavors of the gnocchi.
How to prevent gnocchi from becoming gummy?
The key is to not boil them in water first. For this one pan gnocchi, cook them directly in the sauce. They will cook through and absorb the creamy flavor instead of water. Also, do not stir them too much while they cook. Just gentle stirs now and then. This helps them keep a perfect, tender texture.
Can I make a lighter version of creamy bacon gnocchi?
You can make a lighter version of this Italian gnocchi recipe. Use half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream. The sauce will be a bit thinner but still tasty. You can also use less bacon. Try adding fresh peas for more veggies. The dish will still feel rich and satisfying but a little bit lighter for your meal.
Which tip will you try first?
A Final Word from My Kitchen
I hope you love this cozy dish. It brings spring right to your dinner table. The best meals are shared with people you love.
*Fun fact: Gnocchi are little Italian dumplings. They have been made for centuries!*
I would love to hear about your cooking adventure. Tell me how it went for you. Your stories make my day brighter. Have you tried this recipe?
Happy cooking!
—Grace Hollander.
Spring Gnocchi with Bacon and Cream
Description
One Skillet Creamy Gnocchi with Asparagus and Bacon.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Using tongs, transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. When cool enough to handle, break into small bite-size pieces.
- Pour off excess fat into a small heatproof bowl, keeping enough to coat bottom of pan; reserve bacon fat for another use.
- Return pan to medium heat and add asparagus; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until asparagus is tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer asparagus to a bowl.
- Pour oil into pan if pan looks dry and heat over medium heat. Cook shallot and thyme, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add gnocchi, cream, broth, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir to combine.
- Bring to a simmer, cover pan, and cook 4 minutes. Uncover and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until sauce has thickened to desired consistency, 1 to 2 minutes more.
- Remove pan from heat and stir in asparagus, bacon and Parmesan. Plate and serve.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.