Imagine a dish that captures the essence of fall in every single bite - creamy, rich, and bursting with seasonal flavors that will make your taste buds dance with joy! This Gnocchi with Pumpkin Bacon and Sage Sauce is not just a meal; it's a culinary experience that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece right in your own kitchen. Whether you're looking to impress dinner guests or treat yourself to a luxurious weeknight dinner, this recipe promises to be your new autumn obsession.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb gnocchi
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing all ingredients: chop bacon into small pieces, finely mince fresh sage leaves, and grate Parmesan cheese.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crisp and golden brown, approximately 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Remove bacon from the skillet using a slotted spoon, leaving the rendered bacon fat in the pan. Set bacon pieces aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
- In the same skillet with bacon fat, add pumpkin puree and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes to warm through and develop deeper flavor.
- Pour in heavy cream, stirring to combine with pumpkin puree. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 2 minutes.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add gnocchi and cook according to package instructions, typically 2-3 minutes until they float to the surface.
- Drain gnocchi and immediately add to the pumpkin cream sauce in the skillet. Gently toss to coat each gnocchi completely.
- Sprinkle in chopped sage, reserved crispy bacon, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and distribute ingredients evenly.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Transfer to serving plates, garnish with additional fresh sage leaves and a sprinkle of Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
Tips
- Always cook bacon first to render its fat, which will serve as a flavor base for your sauce.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melting and flavor intensity.
- Don't overcook gnocchi - they're done as soon as they float to the surface of boiling water.
- For extra richness, you can add a small knob of butter when combining the gnocchi with the sauce.
- If your sauce seems too thick, reserve some pasta water to help thin and emulsify it.
- Fresh sage makes a huge difference - try to use fresh leaves instead of dried if possible.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the gnocchi at its pillowy, saucy best.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 364kcal
Carbohydrates: 52g
Protein: 14g
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 31mg
