This is a busy time of year, maybe even the busiest. Between shopping, holiday parties, and visiting family, no one really wants to spend a ton of time in the kitchen. Sooo, this week I whipped up this Cheesy Gnocchi Skillet because it’s fast, easy, and total “comfort” food. I never get tired of variations on pasta, sauce, and cheese. Never.
What is Gnocchi?
Gnocchi are kind of like little pasta dumplings. They’re bite-sized, slightly chewy, and totally delicious with whatever sauce you pour over them. You can make gnocchi from scratch, but since I was looking for a quick weeknight meal, I used DeLallo gnocchi, which was on sale this week. You can find pre-made gnocchi in most major grocery stores in the pasta aisle or near other specialty Italian or Mediterranean ingredients. (And no, this is not a sponsored post.)
Can I Add Meat to the Skillet?
Sure! This recipe works great with the addition of meat. Italian sausage would probably be the easiest and most flavorful, just brown it up in the skillet before adding the garlic. You could also do chicken, again cooking it in the skillet first, then chopping it into pieces before adding it back with the sauce and greens.
Can I Use Different Vegetables?
If you’re not into frozen spinach or kale, zucchini would be really nice in this recipe. Just slice the zucchini and cook it in the skillet briefly before adding the garlic. You could also do frozen broccoli florets, adding them to the skillet at the same point that I added the frozen greens below.
What Should I Serve with Cheesy Gnocchi Skillet?
This is kind of an all-in-one dish, but if you want a little extra, you can add a side of Homemade Garlic Bread, or a simple side of mixed baby greens with a light coating of vinaigrette.
Cheesy Gnocchi Skillet
Servings 4Ingredients
- 1 lb. gnocchi ($2.39)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil ($0.16)
- 2 cloves garlic ($0.16)
- 1/2 lb. frozen chopped greens ($1.00)
- 1 24oz. jar pasta sauce ($1.97)
- 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan ($0.16)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella ($0.84)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the gnocchi. Continue to boil for about three minutes, or until the gnocchi begin to float. Once they’re all floating, drain the gnocchi in a colander.
- Mince the two cloves of garlic and add them to a large skillet with the olive oil. Sauté the garlic over medium heat for about one minute, or just until it’s soft and fragrant. Once soft, add the drained gnocchi and continue to sauté until the gnocchi gets slightly golden brown and crispy on the outside (don’t stir too often or you’ll prevent it from browning and crisping).
- Once the gnocchi is slightly crispy, add the pasta sauce and frozen chopped greens. Stir to combine, then allow to heat through (about 5 minutes). Sprinkle the Parmesan over the skillet, then the shredded mozzarella. Place a lid on the skillet and allow the cheese to heat and melt. Once melted, the gnocchi is ready to serve.
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Notes
Nutrition
Scroll down for the step by step photos!
A slice of bread to scoop up the extra sauce isn’t such a bad idea…
How to Make Cheesy Gnocchi Skillet – Step by Step Photos
I used a one-pound box of gnocchi. The box looks pretty small and the label says three servings per box, but once it’s bulked up with all the sauce, greens, and cheese, it easily served four. Those little gnocchi are quite thick and filling.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the gnocchi. Let them boil for about three minutes, or until they float.
Once they all float, drain the gnocchi in a colander.
While the gnocchi are boiling, mince two cloves of garlic and add them to a large skillet with 1 Tbsp olive oil. Sauté the garlic over medium heat for about one minute, or just until it’s soft and fragrant.
Add the drained gnocchi and continue to sauté until the outside of the gnocchi get a little crispy and golden brown. They absorb all of that lovely garlic flavor in the process. YUM. :D
Once golden and slightly crispy, pour in one 24oz. jar of pasta sauce (I just used generic) and about 1/2 lb. frozen chopped greens. My greens were a mix of kale, mustard, and collards, but you could use any type you like.
Stir to combine, then let them warm through (about five minutes, stir occasionally).
Sprinkle 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan over the skillet. Parmesan is pretty potent, so a little often goes a long way towards flavor.
Finally, add one cup of shredded mozzarella on top.
Place the lid on the skillet and let the mozzarella melt (a few minutes).
And then the Cheesy Gnocchi Skillet is ready to serve! I added a little parsley on top for color, purely for the sake of the photos, but it’s not necessary.
I can’t say no to pasta, sauce, and cheese. #helpless
CHEESY Gnocchi Skillet.
Made it last night! Delicious! I used mince garlic from a jar because I thought I had cloves..used too much and burnt it a little but it was still good. Will definitely make again!
I really enjoy your blog athough I have never commented before, but I have to break my silence just to say: my life changed when I realised you can cook gnocchi IN THE SAUCE without boiling it first and it is AMAZING. I do this all the time and never boil my gnocchi anymore. Just make up your sauce (any kind, as long as it isn’t too dry) and stick the gnocchi right in the same pan. Stir it through the sauce and cook over medium, adding a little water if necessary, until it’s done. It might take a few more minutes than boiling alone but it takes on all the flavour of the sauce and saves washing up. Best pasta hack of all time.
Great tip! Thank you!
Made this for dinner and after a bit of hesitation, everyone decided they liked it. A lot. I used a box of DeLallo gnocchi that was marked down to $1.49 and used a bag of frozen spinach. Daughter announced she thought it was awesome. Husband poked around in his bowl and commented that there wasn’t any meat. He ended up having seconds and said it was really good. WOOHOO!
Awesome!! :D
I absolutely adore this website, make your recipes all the time, and I know you have addressed this before, I’m a small person too so I get where you’re coming from, but- I’m looking at this melting on the stove right now and I just wanted to comment for anyone else considering making this that there is no way I would consider this enough food for a main dish for 4 people :(
I made this tonight to go with a batch of your no-knead focaccia, and the combination was superb. I appreciated the chance to switch out my usual thin spaghetti for gnocchi. (I always seem to forget about gnocchi!) I did add a decent amount of fresh Italian parsley to the gnocchi, and I think it gave a bright, fresh flavor to an otherwise heavy dish of carbs/cheesy deliciousness. I agree that this dish serves at least four, and I love that it’s infinitely customizable.
Made this with fresh mustard greens and home made tomato sauce from a friend. It was really really good!
This is my number one most go-to food blog. I’ve shared it with several friends. Thanks. :-)
Made this tonight! Super easy and yummy. Didn’t think I’d like the frozen spinach added, but it added a good flavor. Probably could add more cheese. :)
Love the colors in this dish. Looks like total comfort food.
Cheesy pasta is the best. I like how you managed to sneak in the veggies. I really liked cooking with bagged, pre-washed kale. Where I live, it’s about the same price as fresh kale, tastier than frozen kale, and super convenient.
Mmmmmmmmm!!! This Cheesy Gnocchi will taste delicious with some garlic bread sticks!!! Also, I would add some ground Italian sausage!!! :-)
Yummy! I love that you managed to get some greens in there.
Ohhhhhh! This dish looks so cheesy and delicious!!! It would be so yummy with garlic bread on the side for dipping in the sauce :)
Is that a Hamilton reference at the end? Either way – going on my to make list!
Hamilton reference? Where?
#helpless … I guess you can tell what’s been on my brain lately! :)
This was delicious and so, so easy, especially since I already had most of the ingredients on hand. I used a bag of fresh baby spinach instead of the frozen greens which wilted in beautifully. Thanks for always providing simple, quality recipes!
I am salivating, that’s how delicious it looks! I’m SO making it tomorrow!