Prepare to embark on a mouthwatering culinary journey that will transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary gastronomic experience! This Creamy Bacon Bleu Cheese Gnocchi is not just a recipe—it's a decadent symphony of flavors that will make your taste buds dance with pure delight. Imagine pillowy soft gnocchi swimming in a rich, velvety sauce, punctuated by crispy bacon and tangy bleu cheese that will have you craving every single bite.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 package gnocchi
- 4 strips bacon, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup bleu cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 1 package of gnocchi, 4 strips of bacon (chopped), 1 cup of heavy cream, 1/2 cup of crumbled bleu cheese, 1/4 cup of chopped parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the gnocchi and cook according to the package instructions, usually around 2-3 minutes, or until they float to the surface. This indicates they are done. Drain the gnocchi and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat. Stir occasionally and cook until the bacon is crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
- In the same skillet with the bacon fat, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the heavy cream. Stir gently to combine and let it simmer for about 2 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- Once the cream is warmed, add the crumbled bleu cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted and the sauce becomes creamy. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little more cream to reach your desired consistency.
- Season the creamy sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Be cautious with the salt since the bacon and bleu cheese can be quite salty.
- Add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet, tossing gently to coat them evenly with the creamy sauce. Allow the gnocchi to heat through for about 2 minutes.
- Finally, stir in the crispy bacon and chopped parsley, mixing well to combine all the flavors. Remove from heat.
- Serve the creamy bacon bleu cheese gnocchi immediately, garnished with additional parsley if desired. Enjoy your delicious Italian-inspired dish!
Tips
- Always salt your boiling water generously to enhance the gnocchi's flavor.
- Watch your gnocchi carefully while cooking—they're done as soon as they float to the surface.
- Use a slotted spoon when transferring gnocchi to prevent breaking the delicate pasta.
- Keep the heat moderate when making the sauce to prevent cream from separating.
- For extra richness, reserve a little pasta water to help bind the sauce if needed.
- Choose a high-quality bleu cheese for maximum flavor impact.
- Don't overcrowd the skillet when cooking to ensure even heating and crispy bacon.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 620kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 42g
Saturated Fat: 24g
Cholesterol: 120mg
