Description
Millionaire gnocchi delivers a luxurious potato pasta experience from Italy’s rich culinary traditions. Creamy sauce and golden-brown edges make this dish an indulgent comfort meal you’ll savor with pure delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 oz (57 g) pancetta or thick-cut bacon, diced
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps (28 g) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (60 g) fresh breadcrumbs (or panko)
- 1 tbsp (14 g) butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- Salt, for boiling water
Instructions
- Toasting Breadcrumbs: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, sprinkle salt, and continuously stir until breadcrumbs transform into a golden, crispy garnish. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Boiling Gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add gnocchi and cook until they float to the surface. Drain and reserve.
- Preparing Pancetta Base: In a spacious skillet, render pancetta until crisp. Add minced garlic and thyme, sautéing for one minute to release aromatic essences. Pour cream into the skillet, creating a luxurious sauce base.
- Developing Sauce: Bring the cream mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat. Whisk in Parmesan cheese to create a velvety texture. Season with cracked black pepper and red pepper flakes for depth of flavor.
- Combining Elements: Introduce cooked gnocchi into the creamy sauce, gently folding to ensure each piece is lavishly coated. Let the ingredients warm through and meld together.
- Serving: Transfer gnocchi to elegant serving bowls. Garnish generously with toasted breadcrumbs and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while the dish maintains its perfect temperature and texture.
Notes
- Enhance Breadcrumb Texture: Toast breadcrumbs slowly and consistently, stirring constantly to prevent burning and achieve an even golden-brown color for maximum crunch.
- Gnocchi Cooking Precision: Watch gnocchi carefully during boiling; they’re perfectly cooked when they float, which typically takes 2-3 minutes. Overcooking leads to mushy texture.
- Cream Sauce Stability: Maintain low heat when adding Parmesan to prevent sauce from breaking or becoming grainy. Stir gently and consistently for smooth, silky consistency.
- Pancetta Selection Tip: Choose high-quality, well-marbled pancetta for richer flavor. If unavailable, thick-cut bacon makes an excellent substitute, offering similar depth and saltiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg