Beef & Bacon Gnocchi Skillet

This Beef and Bacon Gnocchi Skillet is a hearty one-pan dinner made with crispy skillet-seared potato gnocchi, seasoned ground beef, and smoky bacon.

It’s finished under the broiler with melted cheddar cheese and topped with fresh tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and extra bacon.

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What You'll Need

1 package (16 ounces) shelf-stable potato gnocchi
1 1/4 pounds ground beef
1 tablespoon minced dried onion
8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled, divided
1 cup water
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon ketchup
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup shredded lettuce

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How to Make It

1. In a large ovenproof skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan. Once cooled, crumble the bacon.

2. Add the gnocchi to the bacon drippings and sauté over medium heat until golden and lightly crispy on the outside while remaining soft inside. Remove gnocchi from the skillet and set aside.
   

3. In the same skillet, cook the ground beef and minced dried onion over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink, about 4 to 6 minutes, breaking the meat into crumbles. Drain excess drippings if needed.
   

   

4. Stir in half of the crumbled bacon. Add the sautéed gnocchi, water, heavy cream, and ketchup. Bring to a boil, then cook and stir until slightly thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
   

   

5. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Preheat the broiler.
   

   

6. Place the skillet under the broiler, 3 to 4 inches from the heat, and broil until the cheese is melted, about 1 to 2 minutes.
   

   

7. Remove from the oven and top with chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and the remaining bacon before serving.

   

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FAQ

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Yes. Use the same amount and cook until fully browned. Leaner meats release less fat, so add a small drizzle of oil when cooking to prevent sticking.

Can I use fresh onion instead of dried?
Yes. Chop 1/4 cup fresh onion and cook it with the beef. It adds a bit of texture and mild sweetness to the skillet.

Can I use a different cheese?
Yes. Cheddar is a simple, familiar choice, but you can also use Gruyère or Monterey Jack. Pick a cheese that melts well and browns nicely under the broiler.

Can I prep parts of this ahead of time?
Yes. You can cook the bacon and sauté the gnocchi in advance, then assemble and broil just before serving to save a few minutes.

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Give this recipe a try and let me know how it turns out in the comments. For more easy weeknight dinners, check out my Garlic Butter Gnocchi and Green Beans or Sausage and Pepper Sheet Pan Sandwiches.

Beef & Bacon Gnocchi Skillet

Ingredients

• 16 oz shelf-stable potato gnocchi
• 1 1/4 lb ground beef
• 1 tbsp minced dried onion
• 8 cooked bacon strips, crumbled, divided
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1/4 cup shredded lettuce

Instructions

1. Cook bacon in a large, ovenproof skillet until crisp, remove, and reserve drippings. Crumble bacon once cooled.
2. Sauté gnocchi in bacon drippings until golden and lightly crispy. Remove and set aside.
3. Cook ground beef and dried onion until beef is no longer pink. Drain drippings if needed.
4. Stir in half the bacon, gnocchi, water, cream, and ketchup. Cook until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Sprinkle cheese on top and preheat broiler.
6. Broil 3–4 inches from heat until cheese melts, 1–2 minutes.
7. Top with tomatoes, lettuce, and remaining bacon before serving.

Notes

Adapted from: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/beef-bacon-gnocchi-skillet 

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Beef and Bacon Gnocchi Skillet, one pan, easy weeknight dinner

Dinner

American