Gnocchi Carbonara

Gnocchi carbonara combines gnocchi with pancetta, mushrooms, romano cheese, and spices to create a rich, hearty dish that's the perfect family meal.

Gnocchi has long been one of my favorite Italian comfort foods. These little dumplings are so delicious when used in recipes like this or in soups and other such recipes.

This gnocchi carbonara recipe was inspired by my other carbonara recipe on this site because let's face it, carbonara sauce is amazing to enjoy your gnocchi or any pasta with. It's perfect with this air fryer garlic bread for a complete rustic meal.

Why You Will Love this Recipe

• It's a hearty, rustic dish filled with classic Italian flavors.
• It's an easy recipe to make, and it only takes a few steps.
• It makes the perfect family dinner.

Top Tip:

Incorporate the egg yolk mixture slowly into the gnocchi with the pan off of the heat, stirring constantly to prevent your eggs from scrambling. You need to cook the egg mixture gradually with the gnocchi.

Ingredients

You'll only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this super easy carbonara gnocchi recipe. You'll find them all easily at your local grocery store.

• Fresh Gnocchi: The star of the show found in the refrigerated pasta section of your local market.
• Diced pancetta: For rich, luxurious pork flavor.
• Romano and parmesan cheese: For deep, earthy, cheese flavor.
• Portobello mushrooms: Add even more depth of flavor.

The full ingredient list with quantities is in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Instructions

This recipe only takes a few simple steps to make, so it's one that anyone can whip up successfully. We're taking a look at the broad strokes here, but you'll find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.

1: Add the egg yolks, pepper, and romano cheese to a bowl. Stir until blended and set aside.

2: Fry the pancetta until the fat is rendered and pancetta is crisp.

3: Add the remaining ingredients except for the gnocchi and saute. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

4. Fry the gnocchi in the same pan you used for the pancetta mixture. Add a little butter to the pan if needed.

5: Add the pancetta mixture to gnocchi. Next, add the romano cheese/egg mixture to the gnocchi and add it slowly, stirring constantly until incorporated.

6: Garnish with shaved parmesan, freshly ground black pepper and enjoy!

If you love recipes like this one, then check out this crispy air fryer gnocchi or pasta napoletana. It's loaded with delicious flavor.

Substitutions and Variations

• No Fresh Gnocchi? - Simply bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook your store-bought gnocchi (dried) according to package directions. Reserve pasta water to add to cooked gnocchi before serving. Usually, ¼ cup will do. My husband adds a little more pasta water, maybe ⅓ of a cup.
• No Pancetta? - Use back bacon, peameal bacon, or regular bacon instead. Cooked until crisp.
• No pork? - Use chicken, beef, or salmon instead.
• No olive oil? - Use another vegetable oil.
• No portobello mushrooms - Use your favorite mushrooms, diced or sliced as you like, and cooked to perfection
• Vegetarian - Replace with plant-based meat or add no meat at all to make this pasta dish vegetarian.
• Add more vegetables - Sundried tomato, asparagus, snap peas, spinach, broccoli, shredded carrot, sweet peppers, or green beans.
• Spicy - Add some crushed red pepper flakes, habanero peppers or Calabrian peppers for a little bit of heat when you saute garlic. Add ½ teaspoon chili paste (sambal olek) or I will add a little jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder or chipotle powder, depending what I have on hand.
• No potato gnocchi? Use sweet potato, pumpkin or cauliflower gnocchi instead of potato to make this dish.

Storage

In the Refrigerator: Store this in an air-tight container for up to 2 days in the fridge.

Freezer: You can freeze this in an air-tight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: Place the gnocchi in a covered dish and bake it for 10 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

What to Serve with Gnocchi

The great thing about this recipe is that it can be paired with your favorite Italian or Americana dishes. It goes with just about everything.

• Italian Cheese Bread
• Cheesecake Factory Brown Bread
• Olive Garden Spaghetti and Meatballs
• Smoked Green Bean Casserole

Tips

• When incorporating the egg and cheese mixture, it's vital that you remove the pan from the heat and add the mixture in slowly to prevent egg scrambling.
• Do not wipe the pan out before you fry the gnocchi. You want all that wonderful flavor!

FAQ

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