This creamy, pillowy gnocchi carbonara is an easy fancy meal you can make at home. It's done in about 30 minutes, and has deep buttery, meaty flavors. It's a simple gnocchi version of the tried and true lemon carbonara.
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How will it make your life easier?
Make enough gnocchi carbonara for dinner + lunch leftovers with this easy recipe. It reheats well and is easier than trying to figure out how to use ½ egg in a recipe. If the gnocchi is too rich, I recommend mixing in some broccoli or green beans. This will spread out the rich sauce. It's delicious both ways, just adjust it based on your preferences!
Don't have gnocchi, make my fave fancy Lemon Pasta Carbonara. Or these other pasta dishes: 15 Minute Pasta, Pasta with Mushroom Sauce, or this Black Bean Taco Pasta.
What makes it so good?
How do I make gnocchi carbonara?
Start your gnocchi carbonara by boiling 16 oz (1 lb) gnocchi according to the package directions.
While the gnocchi is cooking, heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add ¼ c chopped meat (pancetta, chopped hard salami, ham) to the hot cast iron skillet. Cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes.
While meat and gnocchi for your gnocchi carbonara are cooking, mix the sauce separately. Crack an egg into a small mixing bowl, grate ⅛ c parmesan cheese into bowl, and add 1 tsp lemon juice to egg. Whisk until all incorporated. Set aside.
Once gnocchi has been floating for 30 seconds, drain water. Save 1 cup of remaining gnocchi water, and set aside. Add cooked gnocchi to meat in the cast iron skillet. Spread gnocchi out into a single layer on pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until gnocchi is browned on at least one side.
Once one side is crispy and browned, remove from heat and then add the egg mixture. Mix gnocchi and egg mixture until well incorporated. Add pasta water ¼ cup at a time to thin out the sauce. Return to low heat, simmer your gnocchi carbonara until the sauce is desired thickness.
Serve the gnocchi carbonara immediately, garnish with parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper.
Expert Tips
- If using chopped ham, add 1 tsp oil to pan
- Save lemon to add more to finished gnocchi carbonara, if desired.
- Taste the carbonara, if it's too rich, add in some frozen vegetables and mix all together. This will spread the sauce over more and it won't be as rich in flavor.
FAQ
Follow this recipe or my Lemon Pasta Carbonara. There are lots of different recipes, my favorites include a bit of lemon juice and no milk/cream.
The carbonara sauce for this gnocchi carbonara is easy. Just add parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and black pepper to a cracked egg. Whisk together, and add to cooked pasta/gnocchi. Slowly add in leftover pasta water to make it super creamy and silky.
Homemade gnocchi is actually really easy, it's just messy and takes time to make the dough, then cook it. I usually make it with leftover mashed potatoes. Here's a great cheesy garlic mashed potato recipe to make gnocchi from. I've made Pinch of Yum's gnocchi a few times, and it's a great recipe (I just use mashed potatoes, skip the ricotta and the potato cooking steps). Homemade gnocchi in this carbonara recipe is great, but pre-made gnocchi is fantastic too.
This step is simple, but can easily turn your hopefully silky carbonara into scrambled egg carbonara. Remove your gnocchi/pasta from the heat before adding egg mixture. If you don't, the egg will coagulate aka turn into scrambled eggs. Keep stirring, then add in some pasta water and heat up over low heat (again, cooking it over too-high heat will lead to scrambled eggs).
What can I make with leftover ingredients?
- Gnocchi: Swap for pasta in this 15 Minute Pasta Recipe or Pistachio Pesto Pasta
- Lemon juice: Triple Berry Lemonade or Pan Seared Salmon with Summer Salad.
Did you make this gnocchi carbonara? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
Gnocchi Carbonara
Equipment
- Medium sized pot
- small mixing bowl
- whisk
- Grater
- cutting board
- knife
- Cast iron skillet
- Measuring cups, spoons
Ingredients
- 1 lb package Gnocchi
- ¼ cup chopped pancetta, salami, or ham (if using ham, add a tsp to cook)
- 1 whole egg
- ⅛ teaspoon grated parmesan cheese
- 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 cup frozen broccoli or green beans (optional)
Instructions
- Boil 16 oz (1 lb) gnocchi according to package directions.
- While gnocchi is cooking, heat cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add ¼ c chopped meat (pancetta, chopped hard salami, ham) to hot cast iron skillet. Cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes. (if using chopped ham, add 1 tsp oil to pan).
- While meat and gnocchi are cooking, mix sauce. Crack an egg into a small mixing bowl, grate ⅛ c parmesan cheese into bowl, and add 1 tsp lemon juice to egg. Whisk until all incorporated. Set aside.
- When gnocchi has been floating for 30 seconds, drain water. Save 1 cup of remaining gnocchi water, and set aside. Add cooked gnocchi to meat in the cast iron skillet. Spread gnocchi out into a single layer on pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until gnocchi is browned on at least one side.
- Once one side is crispy and browned, remove from heat then add egg mixture. Mix gnocchi and egg mixture until well incorporated. Add pasta water ¼ cup at a time to thin out the sauce. Return to low heat, simmer until sauce is desired thickness.
- Serve immediately, garnish with parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper.
Video
Notes
- If using chopped ham, add 1 tsp oil to pan
- Save lemon to add more to finished gnocchi, if desired.
- REMOVE from heat before adding egg mixture, unless you want scrambled egg carbonara.
- Taste gnocchi, if it's too rich, add in some frozen vegetables and mix all together. This will spread the sauce over more and it won't be as rich in flavor.
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Luci says
Yum! This gnocchi carbonara looks delicious! I can already taste the buttery flavors in my mouth. I will definitely be making this tonight for dinner!
Rebecca says
it's so good!
Tawnie Kroll says
This was so flavorful and easy to make! The video was helpful too - thank you!
Rebecca says
it's so easy! thanks
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
What a tasty sounding dish, it sounds like the perfect comfort meal for the whole family!
Rebecca says
thanks! it's so delish
Jill says
I love gnocchi. And I love pasta carbonara. So this has got to be good!
Rebecca says
oh it's the greatest combination
Denay says
Our family loves making and eating gnocchi. Your quick and easy recipe for gnocchi carbonara is so delicious!
Rebecca says
great to hear! it's such a great dish