Craving a quick, mouthwatering meal that transforms your leftover holiday ham into a restaurant-worthy dish? Get ready to fall in love with this Leftover Ham and Gnocchi Skillet - a culinary magic trick that turns simple ingredients into a creamy, comforting masterpiece in just 20 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to elevate those ham leftovers from mundane to magnificent, this Italian-inspired skillet will have your family begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover ham, diced
- 1 package gnocchi (16 oz)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by dicing the leftover ham into small, uniform cubes and chopping fresh parsley for garnish.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers and becomes fragrant.
- Add diced ham to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes, allowing the edges to become slightly crispy and golden brown.
- Remove gnocchi from package and add directly to the skillet with the ham, stirring gently to prevent sticking.
- Cook gnocchi for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they start to develop a light golden color and become slightly crisp on the outside.
- Pour in heavy cream and stir to coat the gnocchi and ham evenly, reducing heat to medium-low.
- Add frozen peas to the skillet and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until peas are heated through and cream begins to thicken.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the mixture, stirring to incorporate and create a creamy sauce.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Remove from heat and let the skillet rest for 1-2 minutes to allow sauce to further thicken.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot directly from the skillet.
Tips
- • For the crispiest gnocchi, ensure your skillet is hot before adding them and avoid overcrowding the pan • Use room temperature ham for more even heating and better caramelization • If your cream sauce seems too thick, add a splash of chicken broth to thin it out • Fresh Parmesan cheese makes a huge difference - avoid pre-grated varieties for the best flavor • For extra richness, you can add a small pat of butter when incorporating the Parmesan cheese • Let the dish rest for a couple of minutes after cooking to allow the sauce to thicken naturally • Experiment with adding red pepper flakes if you want a subtle kick of heat
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 546kcal
Carbohydrates: 34g
Protein: 19g
Fat: 37g
Saturated Fat: 19g
Cholesterol: 113mg
