Description
This Gnocchi with Bacon & Peas Cream Sauce recipe combines pillowy gnocchi with a rich, creamy sauce made from crispy bacon, sweet peas, and savory aromatics. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels indulgent yet simple.
Ingredients
For the Sauce and Toppings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium red onion (or yellow onion), chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 strips bacon
- ¼ cup chicken stock
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup frozen peas
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Gnocchi
- 1 pound gnocchi
Instructions
- Cook the Gnocchi: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook according to package directions. When the gnocchi float to the surface, continue cooking for an additional 30 to 60 seconds, then remove them with a slotted spoon. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining to use later for loosening the sauce if needed.
- Cook the Bacon: While the gnocchi cook, place the bacon strips in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Cook until crisp and golden brown. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving 1 to 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan for cooking the aromatics. Crisp bacon adds texture and flavor to the sauce.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the bacon fat in the pan and cook over medium heat until softened and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown or burn the garlic to avoid bitterness.
- Build the Cream Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream, bringing it to a gentle simmer. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Avoid boiling the cream to prevent separation and over-reduction.
- Add Peas & Bacon: Stir in the frozen peas and cooked bacon pieces into the cream sauce. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes to heat the peas through. There’s no need to thaw frozen peas beforehand.
- Combine with Gnocchi: Add the drained gnocchi to the sauce and gently toss to coat evenly. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to thin it out, creating a silky, smooth consistency. The starch in the water helps the sauce cling to the gnocchi.
- Finish & Serve: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese or sprinkle it over the top. Add fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately since cream sauces thicken as they cool.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- Cook bacon until crisp for texture and flavor; soft bacon won’t contribute the same.
- Do not brown garlic to prevent bitterness; cook it gently until fragrant.
- Frozen peas can be added directly without thawing.
- Serve the dish right away as cream sauce thickens upon standing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
