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