Cheeseburger Gnocchi is the ultimate cozy comfort food, with pillowy gnocchi drenched in a rich, cheesy beef sauce with crispy bacon on top! It's everything you love about a cheeseburger, baked bubbly-hot in one irresistible skillet dinner.
This one-pot cheeseburger gnocchi recipe is going to be your new weeknight hero. It's a bubbling skillet of pure comfort that lands somewhere between a loaded cheeseburger and the dreamiest pasta bake you've ever met.
It's cosy, satisfying, and perfect for a weeknight when you want something hearty without a lot of fuss. And yes, it tastes exactly as indulgent as it looks.
I like to make these bacon cheeseburger gnocchi in an oven-proof skillet so I don't have to transfer everything to a baking dish.
Why you'll love this cheeseburger gnocchi bake
- One-skillet recipe with very simple ingredients
- Cozy cheeseburger flavors everyone loves
- A guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike
What you'll need
Gnocchi - I use shelf-stable gnocchi here, which makes this recipe super convenient because you don't have to boil them beforehand. Fresh gnocchi works great too, but adjust the simmer time so they stay fluffy.
Ground beef - Opt for lean ground beef for less grease, but still plenty of juicy flavor. Ground turkey works nicely, too, if you prefer a lighter option.
Cheddar cheese - Sharp cheddar brings a classic cheeseburger taste, but feel free to swap in your favorite melty cheese like Colby Jack or Monterey Jack.
Bacon - A few slices of bacon add a delicious smoky crunch on top.
Crushed tomatoes - For a delicious base that's not too chunky.
Cream - Heavy cream makes the sauce super rich, but you can go for half and half if you want to keep things lighter.
Spices - I use a mix of paprika and cayenne pepper to add some warm flavor to the dish. Feel free to adjust the cayenne pepper to your taste!
Pro tip
After adding the gnocchi to the sauce, give it a gentle stir every minute or so to keep them from sticking to the bottom.
How to make cheeseburger gnocchi
This is a quick overview with step-by-step photos. See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy, then set aside. In the bacon drippings, soften the onion and garlic, then add the beef and cook until browned.
Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, cayenne, and black pepper, then add the crushed tomatoes, broth, and gnocchi. Simmer until the gnocchi are tender.
Mix in cream and half the cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Top with remaining cheese and reserved bacon.
Broil until bubbly and golden, garnish with scallions, and serve hot.
Substitutions and variations
- Stir in some chopped spinach, zucchini, or frozen peas in the last few minutes of cooking for a bit of green.
- Frozen gnocchi work fine here; just drop them straight into the simmering sauce (no need to thaw), then give the pan an extra 2 - 3 minutes of gentle bubbling until the gnocchi are fluffy and hot in the centre.
- Top the skillet with crispy fried onions or pickles right before serving.
Helpful tips
- A large, wide skillet (11 inch or bigger) keeps everything in a single layer so the beef browns instead of steaming.
- When you add tomato paste and spices, scrape up the browned bits (fond) stuck to the pan for those extra bits of flavor.
- Keep the sauce at a gentle bubble after the gnocchi go in; a hard boil can make them tough or cause the sauce to split.
What to serve with cheeseburger gnocchi
- A tangy dill pickle salad - shredded lettuce, sliced pickles, and a light ranch dressing. Think cheeseburger toppings in salad form.
- A simple rocket salad with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar
- Garlic bread or soft dinner rolls for mopping up all that extra sauce.
Leftovers and storage
- Leftovers will keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- The best way to reheat this dish is in the microwave. Loosen with a splash of milk, cover loosely, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring once halfway.
- Technically, you can freeze cheeseburger gnocchi, but be aware that the cream sauce may separate, and the gnocchi may soften a little. If you're okay with that, portion into freezer-safe containers, cool completely, then freeze for up to 2 months.
More cozy casserole recipes
If you've tried this cheeseburger gnocchi recipe, please rate it and leave a comment below! I'd love to hear how it turned out.
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Cheeseburger Gnocchi
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 bacon rashers sliced
- 1 medium onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 can (14 oz / 400g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 pound shelf stable gnocchi
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar grated
- 2-3 scallions to garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy and browned. Remove with a slotted spoon on paper towels and set aside.1 tablespoon olive oil6 bacon rashers
- In the same skillet (leave the bacon drippings), add onion and garlic and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened, stirring often.1 medium onion4 garlic cloves
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and break it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink.1 pound ground beef
- Stir in tomato paste, paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring well.1 tablespoon tomato paste1 teaspoon paprika¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Add the crushed tomatoes and beef broth and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, then stir in gnocchi. Simmer gently for about 5 minutes or until gnocchi are tender.1 can (14 oz / 400g) crushed tomatoes1 cup beef broth1 pound shelf stable gnocchi
- Stir in heavy cream and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy. Remove from heat.1 cup heavy cream2 cups sharp cheddar
- Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese and sprinkle with the reserved crispy bacon.
- Grill under the broiler for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.
- Garnish with sliced scallions and serve immediately.2-3 scallions
Video
Notes
- Don't drain the bacon fat. Cooking the beef and aromatics in the bacon drippings adds extra flavor to the dish.
- Keep the heat moderate after adding the gnocchi to ensure they become tender without turning mushy.
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