Creamy Skillet Gnocchi With Bacon and Peas

A swoon-worthy dinner is only a skillet away.

By
Julia Levy
Julia Levy
Julia Levy is a recipe developer and tester in the Dotdash Meredith Food Studios. She recieved her A.A. in Culinary Arts from the Culinary Institute of America in 2011 and her B.A. in Nutrition from Johnson & Wales University in 2013. Her journey in professional kitchens include working in several clean-eating kitchens,
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
and
Sara Bir
Sara Bir
Sara is a chef, culinary educator, and author of three cookbooks, The Pocket Pawpaw Cookbook, Tasting Ohio and The Fruit Forager's Companion. The latter won a 2019 IACP Cookbook Award.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published September 20, 2023
Plate of Creamy Skillet Gnocchi With Bacon and Peas at a table setting with a drinks, a small plate of chopped chives, and a blue and pink table napkin

Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster

Gnocchi is one of those dishes that you usually only have at a nice Italian restaurant–most often swimming in sage brown butter. This dish is not only accessible on a weeknight but in your own kitchen and by your own hands. 

Seared in a hot skillet and coated in the easiest cream sauce, these humble potato dumplings will please even the pickiest of eaters!

Buying the Right Gnocchi—Don’t Sweat It

While potato gnocchi is the most traditional, you’ll also encounter cauliflower gnocchi in some grocery stores. Choose whichever type you like, but if the gnocchi is frozen, follow the cooking instructions on each package, as they can vary quite a bit. This recipe calls for “skillet gnocchi,” which was developed to skip the boiling step and get a nice sear. Honestly, even boiled gnocchi gets a nice enough sear and can be used in this recipe. 

Gournay Cheese? What Is That? 

Gournay cheese is a soft, spreadable cheese made of cream often mixed with flavorings and aromatics, like chives, caramelized onions, or herbs. Boursin, developed in Normandy, France, by François Boursin, is the most common, most accessible brand. The Shallot & Chive, Garlic & Herb, or Caramelized Onion & Herb varieties are the best options for this recipe. 

Creamy Skillet Gnocchi With Bacon and Peas in a skillet with a spoon at a table setting with a stack of plates, a bowl of chopped chives, and a small plate of bacon pieces

Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster

Tips for Smooth Sailing

This sauce gets stodgy quickly, but it can easily be loosened with more water. Have more on hand in case it takes your family too long to come downstairs for dinner. 

You can add some extra nutrients to this dish by throwing fresh or frozen, thawed spinach into the skillet after searing the gnocchi. 

More Skillet Magic

Creamy Skillet Gnocchi With Bacon and Peas

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Servings 4 servings
Yield 5 1/2 cups

You can use regular shelf-stable 16-ounce packages of gnocchi for this, but you’ll only use 24 ounces total. 

The Boursin variety is up to you. Shallot and chive, garlic and herb, or caramelized onion and herb will all work well.

Ingredients

  • 4 thick-cut bacon slices , chopped into 1/2-inch pieces 

  • 2 (12-ounce) packages skillet gnocchi (such as Rana), divided

  • 1 1/3 cups water

  • 1 (5.2-ounce) package Boursin or other gournay cheese 

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1 1/2 cups frozen peas

  • Finely chopped fresh chives, for serving (optional)

Method

  1. Cook the bacon:

    Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium. Add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, 6 to 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Keep 1-2 tablespoons of the drippings in the pan.

    Sliced bacon cooked in a skillet for Creamy Skillet Gnocchi With Bacon and Peas recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster
  2. Brown the gnocchi:

    Increase the heat to medium-high. Add half of the gnocchi and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl. Repeat with remaining gnocchi.

    Gnocchi sauteed in skillet until crispy and light golden for Sliced bacon cooked in a skillet for Skillet Gnocchi With Bacon and Peas recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster
  3. Make the sauce:

    Without wiping the skillet clean, add the water, cheese, mustard, and salt; stir to melt cheese and make a smooth sauce, about 2 minutes. Stir in the peas. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the peas are warmed through, about 1 minute.

    Peas and cream added to skillet for Sliced bacon cooked in a skillet for Skillet Gnocchi recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster
  4. Finish and serve:

    Add the browned gnocchi and half (about 1/4 cup) of the bacon back to the skillet. Stir to coat with the sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce has slightly thickened, about 1 minute. 

    Remove from heat and serve sprinkled with remaining 1/4 cup bacon and chives, if using. Serve immediately. Because of the stodgy nature of gnocchi, this recipe does not save well. Enjoy it while it lasts!

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a review below!

    Creamy Gnocchi With Bacon and Peas in a skillet

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster
    Creamy Skillet Gnocchi With Bacon and Peas served in two plates at a table setting with two drinks, a small plate of chopped chives, and forks on a blue and pink table napkin

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy II / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Shell Royster
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
594 Calories
19g Fat
79g Carbs
26g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 594
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g 24%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 98mg 33%
Sodium 721mg 31%
Total Carbohydrate 79g 29%
Dietary Fiber 6g 22%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 26g
Vitamin C 18mg 88%
Calcium 303mg 23%
Iron 5mg 26%
Potassium 587mg 12%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.