Quick Gnocchi Shepherds Pie (Printable)

Pillowy gnocchi crown a savory meat and vegetable filling, baked until golden and bubbly with melted cheese for ultimate comfort.

# What you'll need:

→ Meat & Protein

01 - 1 lb ground beef or lamb
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium onion, finely diced
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 1 cup frozen peas
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce

07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
08 - 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
09 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Topping

13 - 1 lb store-bought potato gnocchi
14 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
15 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and carrots; cook for 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, then add the ground beef or lamb. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
04 - Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes.
05 - Pour in the broth and simmer for 5 minutes, until slightly thickened. Stir in the frozen peas and remove from heat.
06 - Cook the gnocchi according to package instructions. Drain and toss with melted butter.
07 - Evenly spoon the cooked gnocchi over the meat mixture. Sprinkle with cheddar and Parmesan cheese.
08 - Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
09 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The gnocchi topping gets incredibly crispy and golden while staying fluffy underneath, creating the best texture contrast in any comfort food Ive ever made
  • Everything cooks in one skillet meaning less cleanup and more time enjoying dinner with people you actually like
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like something that simmered all day
02 -
  • Dont skip tossing the cooked gnocchi in butter before putting them on top, this is what helps them get that gorgeous golden color instead of just drying out
  • If your skillet isn't oven safe transfer everything to a baking dish before baking but the skillet method creates such nice crispy edges
  • The filling needs to be slightly thick before you add the topping or you'll end up with a soupy mess underneath the gnocchi
03 -
  • If your gnocchi package gives a range of cooking times, go for the shorter end since they'll cook more in the oven
  • Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre shredded for better melting and flavor

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