This Hearty Shepherd’s Pie Gnocchi Skillet is a creative twist on the classic comfort food, swapping the traditional mashed potato topping for soft, pillowy gnocchi stirred right into the savory filling. Loaded with ground lamb, tender vegetables, and a rich, creamy gravy, this one-pan meal delivers all the cozy flavors you crave in a fraction of the time.
With a robust meat sauce and dumplings that melt in your mouth, this rustic skillet dinner is perfect for chilly evenings when you need something warm and satisfying.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: A savory, umami-packed dish featuring the distinct richness of lamb (or beef), deepened by tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary.
- Texture: Tender gnocchi and peas are coated in a thick, velvety meat sauce, creating a comforting, spoonable consistency similar to a stew.
- Time: 15 minutes prep, 20 minutes cook time.
- Difficulty: Easy. It involves boiling gnocchi and making a simple skillet sauce.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a large pot for boiling the gnocchi and a large skillet (cast iron or non-stick) to build the sauce and finish the dish. A whisk is helpful for the cornstarch slurry. The ingredients combine classic Shepherd’s Pie staples like lamb, peas, and carrots with store-bought gnocchi for a quick weeknight shortcut.
Ingredient Notes
- Gnocchi – Use 1 pound of potato gnocchi. These replace the mashed potato topping, soaking up the flavorful sauce while providing that essential potato element.
- Ground Lamb – Traditional Shepherd’s Pie uses lamb. Its rich, slightly gamey flavor pairs perfectly with the rosemary and thyme. You can use ground beef for a “Cottage Pie” version.
- Tomato Paste – Two tablespoons add depth, acidity, and a touch of sweetness to the gravy. Caramelizing it in the pan is key.
- Beef Broth & Cornstarch – This mixture creates the body of the gravy, ensuring it is thick enough to coat the gnocchi rather than being soupy.
- Worcestershire Sauce – A splash adds a salty, savory kick that enhances the meat.
- Heavy Cream – A quarter cup mellows the acidity of the tomatoes and creates a luscious, velvety finish.
- Peas and Carrots – Frozen peas and carrots are a classic, convenient addition that adds color and sweetness.
- Parmesan – Finely grated parmesan stirred in at the end adds a salty, nutty bite.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Protein – Ground turkey creates a lighter version, though you may need to increase the seasonings slightly.
- Vegetables – Sautéed mushrooms or corn kernels can be added with the peas and carrots.
- Spice – Adjust the red pepper flakes to your taste, or omit them for a mild, kid-friendly dish.
- Herbs – Dried thyme and rosemary can be used if fresh are unavailable (use 1/3 the amount).
How to Make Hearty Shepherd’s Pie Gnocchi Skillet
- Cook Gnocchi: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook until they float to the top (usually 2-3 minutes). Once they float, they’re done. Drain and set aside. Note: You can also time this to cook them while the sauce simmers.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and golden around the edges. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Bloom Flavor: Add the tomato paste, thyme leaves, and chopped rosemary. Cook for another two minutes, stirring constantly, to let the tomato paste caramelize slightly and darken in color.
- Brown the Meat: Add the ground lamb (or beef) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Season with smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Deglaze: Pour in the Worcestershire sauce to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits (fond) from the bottom for extra flavor.
- Make the Gravy: In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth and cornstarch until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet. Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add Veggies: Add the peas and carrots and cook until they are tender and heated through.
- Make it Creamy: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, grated parmesan, and chopped parsley until everything is creamy and well combined.
- Combine: Add the cooked, drained gnocchi to the skillet and gently toss until fully coated in the sauce. Serve warm.
Pro Tip: Caramelizing the tomato paste with the aromatics before adding the meat creates a deeper, richer flavor base than just stirring it into the liquid later. It removes the raw, tinny taste of the paste.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overcook Gnocchi: Gnocchi can turn into mush if boiled too long. Remove them immediately when they float.
- Sauce Consistency: The cornstarch slurry will thicken the sauce quickly. If it gets too thick, add a splash more broth or water. If too thin, let it simmer a minute longer.
- Drain Grease: Lamb can be fatty. If there is an excessive amount of grease in the pan after browning the meat, you can drain some of it off before adding the Worcestershire sauce.
FAQs
- Can I bake this? Yes, for a crispy top, sprinkle extra parmesan or mozzarella over the skillet after step 9 and broil for 2-3 minutes until bubbly.
- Can I use shelf-stable gnocchi? Yes, both shelf-stable and refrigerated gnocchi work perfectly.
- How do I store leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Serving Suggestions
- Green Salad: A crisp salad with a sharp vinaigrette cuts through the richness of the lamb and cream.
- Crusty Bread: Serve with Irish soda bread or a baguette to mop up the gravy.
- Stout: A glass of Guinness or a robust red wine pairs beautifully with the savory lamb.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Prep: You can dice the onions and measure out the spices ahead of time.
- Sauce Base: You can make the meat sauce a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Reheat it in the skillet, add the cream and cheese, and then toss in freshly boiled gnocchi right before serving.
Hearty Shepherd’s Pie Gnocchi Skillet
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
Description
This Hearty Shepherd’s Pie Gnocchi Skillet is a creative twist on the classic comfort food, swapping the traditional mashed potato topping for soft, pillowy gnocchi stirred right into the savory filling. Loaded with ground lamb, tender vegetables, and a rich, creamy gravy, this one-pan meal delivers all the cozy flavors you crave in a fraction of the time. With a robust meat sauce and dumplings that melt in your mouth, this rustic skillet dinner is perfect for chilly evenings when you need something warm and satisfying.
Ingredients
The Base & Meat
- 1 pound potato gnocchi (shelf-stable or refrigerated)
- 1 pound ground lamb (or ground beef for “Cottage Pie” style)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
The Flavor & Veggies
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed
- Pinch of fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 1/4 cups peas and carrots (frozen blend works great)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
The Gravy & Finish
- 3/4 cup beef broth
- 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1–2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Cook Gnocchi
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook until they float to the top (usually 2–3 minutes). Drain and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
Bloom Flavor
Add the tomato paste, thyme leaves, and rosemary. Cook: Stir constantly for 2 minutes to caramelize the tomato paste (it should darken slightly).
Brown Meat
Add the ground lamb (or beef). Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned.
Season
Add smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Deglaze: Pour in the Worcestershire sauce, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Make Gravy
In a small cup, whisk the beef broth and cornstarch until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet. Simmer: Cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Add Veggies
Stir in the peas and carrots. Cook until heated through.
Make it Creamy
Reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan, and chopped parsley until the sauce is velvety.
Combine
Add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet. Toss gently to coat every dumpling in the rich meat sauce. Serve warm.
Notes
Caramelize the Paste: Don’t skip step 3! Cooking the tomato paste with the aromatics removes the raw, metallic taste and adds a deep, savory richness to the sauce.
Grease Control: Ground lamb can be fatty. If there is excessive grease in the pan after browning the meat, drain some of it off before adding the liquid ingredients.
Crispy Top Variation: If you want a bit of texture, sprinkle extra Parmesan or Mozzarella on top after step 8 and broil for 2–3 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Gnocchi Texture: Be careful not to overboil the gnocchi. Remove them immediately when they float; they will continue to soften slightly in the hot sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Skillet
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: British-Italian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bowl
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: shepherd's pie gnocchi, lamb gnocchi recipe, one skillet dinner, ground lamb recipes, comfort food dinner, easy gnocchi sauce, cottage pie skillet
