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+ servings
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adam saha

Mexican Beef Gnocchi Bake

A comforting fusion dish that combines Italian gnocchi with Tex-Mex flavors, featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy tomato sauce, and melted cheese in a quick one-pan skillet bake perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, Mexican
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the main ingredients
  • 1 lb 1 lean (80/20 for flavor)
  • 16 oz 1 shelf-stable or refrigerated, uncooked
  • 1 medium 1 yellow or white, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3-4 cloves 3-4 minced
  • 1 packet 1 high-quality taco seasoning
  • 14.5 oz 1 crushed or diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup 1/2 heavy cream or whole milk
  • 1 cup 1 shredded cheese blend (Monterey Jack and cheddar)
For optional flavor enhancers
  • 1/2 cup 1/2 drained and rinsed canned black beans (optional)
  • 1/2 cup 1/2 drained canned corn (optional)
  • 1 tsp 1 finely minced chipotle en adobo sauce (optional)
For toppings
  • Fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt for serving
  • Sliced green onions for garnish

Equipment

  • Large oven-safe skillet (10-12 inch)
  • Wooden spoon

Method
 

Prep the Beef
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion to the skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, stirring often to avoid burning.
  3. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the mixture. Stir for 1 minute to bloom the spices. Pour in crushed tomatoes and heavy cream. Stir well, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan.
Gnocchi Time
  1. Add uncooked gnocchi to the skillet. Stir to coat evenly in the sauce. If using, add black beans and corn now. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or broth.
  2. Cover the skillet and simmer for 5-7 minutes until gnocchi is plump and tender, absorbing the sauce.
  3. Remove from heat. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top. Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. For a crust, broil for the last minute, watching carefully.
  4. Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro, sour cream, and green onions. Serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 32gFat: 28g

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in microwave or 350°F oven. This recipe is versatile; substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles for vegetarian version. Adjust heat with jalapeños or pepper jack.
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