Silky Gnocchi Carbonara

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.

How will it make your life easier?

Make enough for dinner + lunch leftovers with this easy recipe. It reheats well and is easier than trying to figure out how to use 1/2 egg in a recipe. If the gnocchi is too rich for you, 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?

• Gnocchi
• Pancetta, salami, or ham
• Egg
• Parmesan cheese
• Lemon juice
• broccoli (optional)

How do I make gnocchi carbonara?

Boil 16 oz (1 lb) gnocchi according to package directions.

While gnocchi is cooking, heat cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add 1/4 c chopped meat (pancetta, chopped hard salami, ham) to hot cast iron skillet. Cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes.

Expert Tip: 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 1/8 c parmesan cheese into bowl, and add 1 tsp lemon juice to egg. Whisk until all incorporated. Set aside.

Expert Tip: Save lemon to add more to finished gnocchi, if desired.

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 1/4 cup at a time to thin out the sauce. Return to low heat, simmer until sauce is desired thickness.

Expert Tip: REMOVE from heat before adding egg mixture, unless you want scrambled egg carbonara.

Expert Tip: 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.

Serve 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, if desired.
• 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.

FAQ

How do you make carbonara from scratch?

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.

This carbonara sauce 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.

How do you make gnocchi from scratch?

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).

How do you add egg to carbonara?

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!

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5 from 5 votes

Gnocchi Carbonara

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.

Course dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Author Rebecca

Equipment

• Medium sized pot
• small mixing bowl
• whisk
• Grater
• cutting board
• knife
• Cast iron skillet
• Measuring cups, spoons

Ingredients

• 1 lb package Gnocchi
• 1/4 cup chopped pancetta, salami, or ham (if using ham, add a tsp to cook)
• 1 whole egg
• 1/8 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 1/4 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 1/8 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 1/4 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

Gnocchi Carbonara

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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