Quick Gnocchi Shepherds Pie (Printable)

Comforting fusion of tender gnocchi over savory beef and vegetables, topped with melted cheese and baked until golden.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meat & Protein

01 - 1 lb ground beef or lamb

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, diced
04 - 1 cup frozen peas
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce & Seasonings

06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
08 - 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
09 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Topping

13 - 1 lb store-bought potato gnocchi
14 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
15 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and carrots; cook for 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, then add the ground beef or lamb. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
04 - Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes.
05 - Pour in the broth and simmer for 5 minutes, until slightly thickened. Stir in the frozen peas and remove from heat.
06 - Meanwhile, cook the gnocchi according to package instructions. Drain and toss with melted butter.
07 - Evenly spoon the cooked gnocchi over the meat mixture. Sprinkle with cheddar and Parmesan cheese.
08 - Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
09 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The gnocchi gets incredibly crispy on top while staying soft underneath, creating the most satisfying texture contrast
  • Everything cooks in one pan so you spend less time cleaning and more time eating
  • It is ready in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
02 -
  • Drain excess fat from the meat before adding the sauce or your filling will be too greasy
  • Do not overcook the gnocchi in the boiling water since they will finish in the oven
  • Use an oven-safe skillet or transfer everything to a baking dish before adding the topping
03 -
  • Toss the gnocchi in butter immediately after draining so they do not stick together
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded for better melting
  • If the filling looks too thick, add a splash more broth before topping with gnocchi

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