Easy Ground Beef Gnocchi Recipe: A Savory Family Favorite

Crafting a delightful ground beef gnocchi brings comfort right to your dinner table.

Soft potato dumplings mingle beautifully with seasoned meat for a hearty meal.

Italian-inspired flavors dance across your plate, creating an instant classic.

Rich and satisfying, this dish promises warmth in every bite.

Home cooks can easily master these tender gnocchi with simple ingredients.

Minimal prep work means maximum enjoyment for everyone gathered around.

Let’s uncover how straightforward and delicious this recipe can be!

Why Ground Beef Gnocchi Is A Comfort Food Favorite

• Savor Quick Comfort: Dive into a hearty one-pan meal that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something satisfying and delicious.
• Master Versatile Cooking: Easily adaptable recipe that lets you customize ingredients, making it a go-to dish for using up pantry staples and creating a crowd-pleasing dinner.
• Create Family-Friendly Feast: Kids and adults will love this cheesy, saucy combination of soft gnocchi and rich ground beef, transforming a simple meal into a memorable dining experience.
• Simplify Meal Preparation: Requires just a few basic ingredients and straightforward cooking steps, allowing even novice cooks to create a restaurant-quality meal without stress or complicated techniques.

Ingredients Required For Ground Beef Gnocchi

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that forms the base of this delicious skillet meal.
• Gnocchi: Soft potato dumplings that provide a comforting and filling texture to the dish.
• Mozzarella Cheese: A creamy cheese that melts beautifully and adds richness to the recipe.
• Parmesan Cheese: A sharp cheese that brings a deep, savory flavor to the dish.

• Onion, Garlic: Fundamental ingredients that build a flavorful foundation for the ground beef sauce.
• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce: Create a rich and tangy base that enhances the overall taste of the recipe.

• Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Essential spices that add depth and balanced flavor to the ground beef mixture.
• Fresh Basil: A fragrant herb that provides a bright, fresh finish to the dish.

• Olive Oil: Used to sauté the vegetables and brown the ground beef.

How To Make Ground Beef Gnocchi Step By Step

Step 1: Boil Fluffy Gnocchi

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Drop the gnocchi into the boiling water and cook following the package directions.

Once tender, drain the gnocchi and set them aside, ready for their flavor adventure.

Step 2: Sizzle Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat.

Toss in finely chopped onions and minced garlic, letting them dance and soften for 3-4 minutes. Add ground beef and break it into crumbly pieces, cooking until it turns a beautiful golden brown.

Tip off any excess fat to keep the dish light.

Step 3: Build Robust Flavor Profile

• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Simmer the mixture for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to mingle and develop a rich, deep taste.

Step 4: Marry Gnocchi with Beef

Gently fold the cooked gnocchi into the beef and tomato sauce. Ensure each pillowy gnocchi gets a perfect coating of the savory mixture.

Step 5: Melt Cheesy Goodness

• Shredded mozzarella
• Grated Parmesan

Cover the skillet and let the cheese transform into a molten, bubbling blanket for about 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

If desired, scatter fresh basil leaves over the dish.

Serve piping hot and watch everyone dive in with excitement.

Tips For Cooking Ground Beef Gnocchi To Perfection

• Select high-quality ground beef with moderate fat content for maximum flavor and juiciness.
• Choose fresh or vacuum-sealed gnocchi for best texture and cooking performance.
• Drain excess fat after browning beef to prevent greasy sauce and reduce calories.
• Test seasoning levels by tasting sauce before adding gnocchi and adjust salt and pepper accordingly.
• Consider adding red pepper flakes for extra heat or fresh herbs like parsley for enhanced freshness.

Flavorful Options For Ground Beef Gnocchi

• Vegetarian Gnocchi Swap: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a meat-free version that maintains rich flavor and protein content.
• Spicy Southwestern Style: Add diced green chilies, cumin, and swap mozzarella for pepper jack cheese to create a zesty southwestern-inspired dish with heat.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free gnocchi and ensure all seasoning packets are certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Mediterranean Remix: Include crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, and swap tomato sauce with marinara for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.

Serving Tips For Ground Beef Gnocchi

• Hearty Family Dinner Delight: Serve this ground beef gnocchi as a comforting main course that brings everyone together around the table, perfect for busy weeknights.
• Italiano Potluck Star: Bring this dish to a gathering and watch it become the centerpiece, with its rich flavors and cheesy topping that everyone will love.
• Meal Prep Champion: Pack individual portions in containers for easy lunches, keeping the gnocchi and beef mixture separate until ready to reheat for maximum texture.
• Quick Leftover Transformation: Refresh next-day servings by adding a splash of fresh cream or extra cheese to revive the dish's original deliciousness.

How To Store Ground Beef Gnocchi Properly

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness.
• Store ground beef gnocchi in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring proper food safety.
• Keep the dish in a sealed container to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor integrity.
• Avoid storing at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen gnocchi for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen gnocchi. Just follow the package instructions for cooking and add them to the beef mixture as directed in the recipe.

• Is this dish spicy?

The recipe as written is not spicy. However, you can add red pepper flakes or hot sauce if you want to increase the heat level.

• Can I substitute ground beef with another protein?

Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives work well in this recipe and provide similar texture and flavor.

• How can I make this recipe healthier?

Use lean ground beef, add extra vegetables like bell peppers or spinach, and use low-fat cheese to reduce calories and increase nutritional value.

Savory Ground Beef Gnocchi Recipe

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4.5 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty ground beef gnocchi delivers comfort on a plate with rich, savory flavors. Italian-inspired comfort combines tender potato dumplings and seasoned meat in a satisfying one-pan meal you’ll crave.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 package (16 ounces) gnocchi
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• Fresh basil for garnish

Seasonings and Oils:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of salted water and cook gnocchi following package directions until they float to the surface, then drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, sauté diced onions and minced garlic until translucent, approximately 3 minutes.
3. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small crumbles while cooking until completely browned and no pink remains, about 5-6 minutes.
4. Eliminate excess fat from the skillet if necessary to prevent greasy texture.
5. Incorporate diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly.
6. Reduce heat and allow sauce to simmer for 5-7 minutes, developing rich flavors and slightly thickening.
7. Gently fold cooked gnocchi into the beef and tomato sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the savory mixture.
8. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese across the top of the dish.
9. Cover skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes at low heat until cheese melts completely and becomes slightly bubbly.
10. Optional: Garnish with fresh basil leaves for added aroma and visual appeal before serving hot directly from the skillet.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter protein option that maintains the dish’s hearty texture.
• Toast dry Italian herbs before adding to intensify their aromatic flavors and create deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Pat gnocchi dry after boiling to prevent watery sauce and ensure better sauce absorption and crispy edges.
• Customize spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or adding smoked paprika for extra depth without overwhelming heat.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 510 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg