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Creamy Skillet Gnocchi Mac and Cheese

creamy skillet gnocchi mac and cheese - featured image
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This creamy skillet gnocchi mac and cheese is a quick and easy one-pan meal that delivers all the comfort of traditional mac and cheese with half the effort. Pan-fried gnocchi gets crispy on the outside and pillowy soft inside, then is smothered in a rich, three-cheese sauce for the ultimate weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound potato gnocchi
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: crushed red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, crispy bacon bits

Instructions

  1. Preheat your skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and let it melt until sizzling but not browning.
  2. Add the gnocchi directly to the skillet in a single layer. Let them sit undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown and crispy. Stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they have brown spots all over.
  3. Push the gnocchi to one side of the skillet. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and the minced garlic to the empty space. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant, then stir everything together.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour in the heavy cream and milk, stirring constantly. Let the mixture come to a gentle simmer.
  5. Add the Dijon mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to incorporate.
  6. Start adding the cheese, one handful at a time. Begin with the cheddar, stirring constantly until fully melted. Then add the mozzarella, followed by the Parmesan. Keep the heat low and stir gently.
  7. Continue stirring until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more milk. If too thin, let it simmer for another minute or two.
  8. Remove the skillet from the heat. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
  9. Optional: For a bubbly, golden top, preheat your broiler and sprinkle extra shredded cheddar or mozzarella over the top. Broil for 2-3 minutes until melted and starting to brown.
  10. Garnish with fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, or crispy bacon if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Shred your own cheese from a block for the smoothest sauce. Use room temperature dairy to prevent the cheese from seizing. If the sauce breaks, whisk in a splash of cold milk or a teaspoon of lemon juice. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free gnocchi.

Nutrition

Keywords: gnocchi mac and cheese, skillet mac and cheese, one-pan mac and cheese, creamy gnocchi, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/creamy-skillet-gnocchi-mac-and-cheese-the-best-easy-recipe/