Introduction

Cheeseburger Gnocchi is a comforting and hearty dish that combines tender potato gnocchi with savory ground beef, crispy bacon, and melted cheese. This easy one-pan recipe brings all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger into a creamy, satisfying meal.

The image shows a close-up of a dish in a shallow black pan filled with thick gnocchi pasta, which are pale yellow and have ridged textures. Mixed throughout are small brown cooked meat pieces and halved bright red cherry tomatoes. A melted white cheese sauce covers parts of the gnocchi and meat, creating a creamy, gooey layer. Small green herb bits sprinkled on top add color contrast. The dish looks warm and rich with some visible black pepper seasoning. The background has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 package Potato Gnocchi (17 oz or 500 grams)
1 lb (500g) lean ground beef
5 slices bacon (cooked crispy and crumbled)
1 onion (diced)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 red pepper (chopped)
1 can diced tomatoes
2 green onions (sliced)
3 teaspoons Montreal Steak Spice
½ teaspoon cumin
1 cup beef broth (or water)
¼ cup whipping cream
Oil for frying
1½ cups grated Cheddar Cheese (or Marbled Jack Cheese)

Instructions

Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet or frying pan until hot. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, cooking for a few minutes until they begin to caramelize.
Step 2: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned and fully cooked through.
Step 3: Season the beef mixture with Montreal Steak Spice and cumin. Stir in the chopped red pepper and fry for about 2 minutes until the peppers start to soften.
Step 4: Add the can of diced tomatoes, beef broth, and potato gnocchi to the skillet. Stir everything together and bring to a boil.
Step 5: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until the gnocchi is tender and the sauce has thickened.
Step 6: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the whipping cream and half of the grated cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy.
Step 7: Sprinkle the remaining cheese, crumbled bacon, and sliced green onions over the top. For a melty finish, place the skillet under a broiler for 2 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Tips & Variations

Use Marbled Jack Cheese instead of Cheddar for a milder, creamier flavor that melts beautifully.
Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of this dish.
For extra spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the onion and garlic.
Make sure not to overcook the gnocchi during simmering to avoid a mushy texture.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Adding a splash of broth or cream during reheating can help maintain creamy texture.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a round black pan filled with gnocchi baked with melted cheese, ground meat, and halved cherry tomatoes. The first layer at the bottom is soft gnocchi, pale yellow with smooth texture, scattered evenly across the pan. On top, cooked ground meat pieces in brown, small and crumbly, spread throughout. Halved bright red cherry tomatoes are placed on top in a random pattern. The whole dish is covered with gooey melted cheese that is cream to light golden in color, slightly browned in some parts, with fresh green basil leaves sprinkled on top. The pan is set on a white marbled surface, giving a clean and bright look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen gnocchi for this recipe?

Yes, frozen gnocchi works perfectly. Just add it directly to the skillet and follow the simmering step until the gnocchi is tender.

What can I substitute for the whipping cream?

You can use half-and-half or whole milk as a lighter alternative, though the sauce will be less rich. For a dairy-free option, coconut cream works well too.

Cheeseburger Gnocchi Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 114 reviews

This hearty Cheeseburger Gnocchi recipe combines tender potato gnocchi with savory ground beef, crispy bacon, and a creamy cheese sauce. Flavored with Montreal Steak Spice, cumin, and fresh vegetables, it’s a comforting one-pan meal perfect for a weeknight dinner. Topped with melted cheddar and green onions, this dish brings the classic cheeseburger flavors into an easy, satisfying pasta-style skillet.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 package Potato Gnocchi (17 oz or 500 grams)
1 lb (500g) lean ground beef
5 slices bacon (cooked crispy and crumbled)
1 onion (diced)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 red pepper (chopped)
1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
2 green onions (sliced)
3 teaspoons Montreal Steak Spice
½ teaspoon cumin
1 cup beef broth (or water)
¼ cup whipping cream
oil for frying (such as vegetable or olive oil)
1½ cups grated Cheddar Cheese (or Marbled Jack Cheese)

Instructions

Sauté Aromatics and Brown Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, cooking for a few minutes until they start to caramelize and become fragrant. Then add the lean ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked through.
Season and Add Peppers: Sprinkle in the Montreal Steak Spice and cumin, stirring to evenly coat the beef. Add the chopped red pepper to the skillet and fry for about 2 minutes until the peppers begin to soften but still retain some texture.
Add Tomatoes, Broth, and Gnocchi: Pour in the can of diced tomatoes along with their juices, the beef broth, and the potato gnocchi directly into the skillet with the beef mixture. Stir everything together to combine and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Simmer Until Gnocchi is Tender: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a lid. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes or until the gnocchi is cooked through, tender, and the liquid has thickened into a rich sauce.
Stir in Cream and Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the whipping cream along with ½ cup of the grated cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt into the sauce for a creamy texture.
Top and Broil: Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top, followed by the crumbled crispy bacon and sliced green onions. For a melty, golden finish, optionally place the skillet under the oven broiler for 2 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Serve hot.

Notes

You can substitute beef broth with water or vegetable broth if preferred.
For a smokier flavor, try using smoked cheddar or adding a dash of smoked paprika.
If you do not have Montreal Steak Spice, a combination of salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder works well as a substitute.
Gnocchi cooks quickly, so make sure to simmer just until tender to avoid mushiness.
The broiling step is optional but adds a nice melted cheese topping and slightly crispy edges.
Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content without compromising flavor.

Keywords: Cheeseburger Gnocchi, gnocchi recipe, ground beef recipe, creamy gnocchi, easy dinner, one-pan meal, bacon gnocchi