Easy Gnocchi Carbonara (no eggs)

top down shot of plate of Gnocchi Carbonara

5 from 1 vote

Easy Gnocchi Carbonara (no eggs)

Comfort food doesn't get any easier than this eggless Gnocchi Carbonara. Six ingredients and 15 minutes are all you need to have this hearty meal on the table.

Prep Time3

Cook Time12

Total Time15

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: eggless gnocchi carbonara, gnocchi carbonara

Servings: - 3 main dish or 4 side dish servings

Calories: 1081kcal

Author: Abbey McDermott

Ingredients

4 slices thick-cut bacon cut into 1 inch pieces
16-18 ounces gnocchi shelf-stable or frozen
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus more to taste as needed

Instructions

In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until brown and crisp, approx. 8-10 minutes. Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Remove excess bacon grease, leaving about 1 teaspoon. Set aside.
Bring a pot of water to boil. Add 1-2 teaspoons of salt and the gnocchi. Cook according to package directions.
While the gnocchi cooks, add the butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the cream. Cook for 1 minute until warm. Add the grated Parmesan and the pepper, whisking to incorporate with the cream.
When the gnocchi is done, strain the gnocchi and add directly to the skillet, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water.
Toss the gnocchi in the sauce. If necessary, add in some of the reserved pasta water to thin out the sauce.
Garnish with basil or parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Set out all of the ingredients before you start cooking. This dish comes together very quickly, so it's best to have the ingredients ready and within reach.
Use freshly grated cheese. It melts much better and tastes fresher than pre-shredded varieties.
Use finely grated (not shredded) cheese so that it easily melts and incorporates into the sauce. I like to grate the cheese with a microplane.
Be cautious about adding salt. The bacon and cheese are plenty salty so this recipe doesn't call for additional salt. Always taste first before adding.

Nutrition