This easy Beef Gnocchi Skillet is creamy, cozy, and packed with hearty flavor — the perfect quick dinner for busy families.
On those extra-busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast, this Quick Beef Gnocchi Skillet is the kind of recipe that saves the day. It’s made with simple, comforting ingredients and comes together in one pan with almost no effort. Tender potato gnocchi simmer right in a rich tomato and broth mixture, soaking up all the savory flavors from lean ground beef, onions, garlic, and Italian herbs. Add a splash of half-and-half and a generous handful of Parmesan, and suddenly you’ve got a creamy, cozy, unbelievably satisfying dinner with almost zero fuss.
What makes this skillet recipe so perfect for families is the hearty texture and warmth in every bite. The gnocchi get pillowy and soft, the sauce becomes creamy and comforting, and the whole dish feels like a warm hug after a long day. Kids love the gnocchi, adults love the flavor, and everyone loves that it cooks in under 30 minutes. Whether it’s a last-minute dinner plan, a cold-weather craving, or a busy night where convenience is key, this one-pan Beef Gnocchi Skillet always hits the spot.
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Why Busy Families Will Love This Recipe
- Customizable — easy to add veggies or swap proteins.
- One-pan dinner — minimal cleanup, big flavor.
- Quick-cooking — gnocchi cooks right in the sauce, saving time.
- Hearty + comforting — creamy sauce, tender gnocchi, and savory beef.
- Pantry-friendly — relies on shelf-stable gnocchi, canned tomatoes, and everyday staples.
- Kid-approved — soft gnocchi and mild Italian flavors make it a family favorite.
Simple Ingredients and Substitutes
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- Pre-made Gnocchi – I used a shelf-stable, vacuum-sealed gnocchi. Making Homemade Gnocchi is fun too if you have time! You can also find pre-made gnocchi in the refrigerator pasta section and in the frozen pasta section.
- Lean Ground Beef – I used 90% lean Ground Beef, but you can use any fat content. You can substitute ground chicken or ground turkey.
- Fresh Garlic cloves, minced – Fresh is best in this simple recipe, but you can buy the pre-minced garlic sold in a small jar or use dried garlic flakes or garlic powder.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes – I like the chunks of tomato that you get with diced. However, you can substitute in pureed, crushed, diced, or whole tomatoes that you crush with your hands. Tomato sauce will work too. You can also add a tablespoon of tomato paste for more deep flavor.
- Half and Half – This is added for creaminess. You can add Milk for a lighter sauce or heavy cream for a really rich , creamy sauce. You can substitute coconut milk.
- Chicken Broth or stock – You can also use vegetable broth or stock or Beef broth or stock. You can also use water mixed with a beef or chicken bouillon cube or beef base or chicken base.
- Italian Seasoning – An Italian blend is most convenient, but you can use any combination of dried oregano, basil, marjoram, thyme, or rosemary. Red pepper flakes will add a little kick too.
- Parmesan Cheese – Parmesan adds depth, salty, and nutty flavor to the sauce. Shredded is fine too. If you don’t have parmesan cheese, you can substitute with shredded or grated pecorino romano cheeses, manchego cheese, cotija, gruyere, or other hard salty cheese.
See recipe card for quantities.
Simple Equipment
For this recipe, you need a large skillet/frying pan for cooking the beef, making the sauce, and then adding the gnocchi. I use my absolute favorite 12″ Ceramic Pan, which is great because food really does slide right off with minimal oil and I don’t have to worry about food sticking and burning.
Oh, and mincing garlic is made super easy with a Garlic Press.
Cooking Steps
Preheat a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Then add the olive oil, ground beef, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Break up the beef with a spoon or spatula into bits to cook evenly. Cook until no longer pink, about 5-8 minutes.
To the ground beef, add the broth, diced tomatoes with juices, and minced garlic.
Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook 5 minutes.
Once simmering, add the half and half (or milk or cream) along with the gnocchi.
Gently mix in the gnocchi to coat and submerge them into the sauce.
Cook for 5-8 minutes until the gnocchi are heated through and tender. Then mix in the parmesan cheese.
Garnish with fresh parsley, seve and enjoy!
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Variations on the recipe
Here are some fun ways to change this recipe up for other nights.
- Creamy Tomato Basil Version: Add chopped fresh basil and a spoonful of tomato paste for richer flavor.
- Veggie-Packed Skillet: Stir in spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra nutrition.
- Spicy Arrabbiata Twist: Add crushed red pepper flakes and a splash of hot sauce for heat.
- Cheesy Bake: Top with shredded mozzarella and broil for 3–4 minutes for a bubbly, cheesy finish.
- Turkey Gnocchi Skillet: Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
Beef Gnocchi Recipe FAQs
1. Can I use frozen gnocchi for this recipe?
Yes! Frozen and shelf-stable gnocchi both work perfectly. No need to boil first — they’ll cook right in the skillet.
2. How do I keep the gnocchi from getting mushy?
Simmer gently and avoid over-stirring. Gnocchi cooks quickly, so start checking for doneness around the 4–5 minute mark.
3. Can I make this dairy-free?
Absolutely. Use coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative, and skip or replace the Parmesan with a dairy-free version.
4. Can I freeze this dish?
This skillet is best enjoyed fresh, as gnocchi can become too soft after freezing. Leftovers, however, will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
5. What vegetables can I add?
Spinach, kale, diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini all work well and blend easily into the sauce.
6. Can I use a different protein?
Yes! Ground turkey, chicken, or even Italian sausage make delicious substitutes.
7. What can I serve with this?
It’s a full meal on its own, but you can add a simple green salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables for a complete dinner.
Have you tried this recipe? If so, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating in the recipe below! I love to hear your feedback and your rating helps others to find this recipe. Thanks so much!
Quick Beef Gnocchi Skillet Recipe
Ingredients
- 16-18 ounces Potato Gnocchi shelf or frozen
- 1 pound Lean Ground Beef
- 1 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive oil
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 14 ounces Canned Diced Tomatoes
- ½ cup Half and Half Milk or heavy cream will also work
- 1 cup Chicken broth or stock or vegetable or beef broth/stock
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- Optional Garnishes: extra Parmesan and fresh Italian parsley
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Then add the olive oil, ground beef, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Break up the beef with a spoon or spatula into bits to cook evenly. Cook until no longer pink, about 5-8 minutes.
- To the ground beef, add the broth, diced tomatoes with juices, and minced garlic. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook 5 minutes.
- Once simmering, add the half and half (or milk or cream) along with the gnocchi. Gently mix in the gnocchi to coat and submerge them into the sauce. Cook for 5-8 minutes until the gnocchi are heated through and tender. Then mix in the parmesan cheese.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, seve and enjoy!
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