Quick & Tasty Taco Gnocchi Skillet Recipe for Family Meals

Taco gnocchi skillet brings together two beloved culinary worlds in a surprisingly delightful fusion.

Comfort meets zesty excitement with this unexpected combination of soft potato dumplings and bold Mexican-inspired flavors.

Hearty ingredients meld into a one-pan wonder that converts ordinary weeknight dinners into something extraordinary.

Creamy, pillowy gnocchi absorb the rich, spicy seasonings, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Each forkful promises a satisfying journey through layers of robust and vibrant ingredients.

Home cooks will appreciate the simplicity of preparing this crowd-pleasing meal that comes together in mere minutes.

The magic happens when traditional elements collide, promising a dish that surprises and delights.

What You’ll Need for a Taco Gnocchi Skillet Dinner

• Ground Beef: Hearty base protein with rich flavor, choose lean for less grease.
• Gnocchi: Soft potato dumplings that add comforting texture and substance to the dish.

• Onion: Adds depth and sweet undertone to the overall flavor profile.
• Garlic: Provides robust, aromatic base for the taco seasoning.
• Sweet Corn: Brings gentle sweetness and bright color to the skillet.

• Taco Seasoning: Classic Mexican-inspired blend that gives the dish its signature zesty profile.
• Rotel: Combines diced tomatoes and green chilies for tangy, spicy kick.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance overall taste.
• Monterey Jack Cheese, Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Creamy, melty cheeses that add rich, sharp flavor and smooth texture.
• Water: Helps blend seasonings and create sauce-like consistency.

How to Make Taco Gnocchi Skillet Step by Step

Step 1: Boil Tasty Gnocchi

Fill a medium pot with water, bring to a rolling boil. Add gnocchi and cook following package instructions. Once tender, drain and set aside.

Step 2: Brown Flavorful Beef

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper

Cook until beef turns completely brown and loses its pink color. Drain excess fat.

Step 3: Spice Up the Mixture

• Rotel tomatoes
• Taco seasoning
• Water

Lower heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer. Allow liquid to reduce by about one-third.

Step 4: Blend Delicious Elements

• Cooked gnocchi
• Sweet corn

Continue cooking until most liquid gets absorbed.

Step 5: Melt Cheesy Goodness

• Monterey Jack cheese
• Sharp cheddar cheese

Cover with lid and let cheese melt completely for 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer to serving plates. Optional: Garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions for extra zest.

Tips for the Creamiest, Zestiest Taco Gnocchi Skillet

• Drain Thoroughly: Pat gnocchi dry after boiling to prevent watery sauce and ensure better browning and flavor absorption.
• Brown the Beef: Cook ground beef until deeply caramelized for richer, more intense taco-style flavor and better texture.
• Control Liquid Levels: Watch moisture carefully while simmering to create a perfectly thick, clingy sauce that coats gnocchi beautifully.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Let residual heat melt cheese naturally for smoother, more even coverage without overcooking.
• Customize Creatively: Swap protein, experiment with different cheese blends, or add fresh cilantro and jalapeños for personalized taco gnocchi experience.

Storing and Reheating Taco Gnocchi Skillet Leftovers

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: Transfer cooled gnocchi skillet to a freezer-safe container, seal tightly, and freeze for maximum 2 months. Note that corn and gnocchi might slightly change texture upon thawing.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated portions in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even heating and maintain the dish's delicious flavor and texture.

What Goes Best with Taco Gnocchi Skillet

• Zesty Wine Companion: Pair this hearty taco gnocchi skillet with a crisp, slightly acidic Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the richness of the beef and cheese, creating a perfect flavor balance.
• Refreshing Beverage Boost: Serve an ice-cold Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Corona, which complements the taco seasoning and provides a light, crisp contrast to the dense gnocchi.
• Bright Salad Partner: Create a tangy side salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a lime-cilantro vinaigrette to add freshness and balance the skillet's bold, spicy flavors.
• Cool Creamy Topping: Top the dish with a dollop of sour cream or fresh guacamole to add a cooling element that softens the taco seasoning's heat and adds creamy texture.

Taco Gnocchi Variations for Your Next Round

• Spicy Southwest Gnocchi: Replace Rotel with diced green chilies and add jalapeños for extra heat. Mix in black beans and swap Monterey Jack for pepper jack cheese.
• Mediterranean Herb Gnocchi: Trade ground beef for ground lamb, incorporate oregano and rosemary. Use feta cheese instead of cheddar and add diced kalamata olives.
• Chicken Fiesta Gnocchi: Substitute ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken. Include diced bell peppers and use a blend of Mexican-style cheese. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
• Vegetarian Protein Gnocchi: Replace beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans. Add roasted zucchini and use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. Sprinkle with green onions.

Why Taco Gnocchi Skillet Brings Big Flavor in One Pan

• Whip Up a Flavor Explosion: This taco gnocchi skillet combines the zesty kick of Mexican-inspired seasonings with the pillowy softness of gnocchi, creating a mouthwatering fusion dish that surprises and delights.
• Maximize Convenience and Speed: Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pan wonder simplifies weeknight cooking by minimizing dishes and delivering a complete meal with minimal effort and maximum taste.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adaptable for different preferences, this recipe allows quick swaps like ground turkey, adding extra veggies, or adjusting spice levels to suit individual family tastes and dietary needs.
• Cheese Makes Everything Better: The melted blend of Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar adds a creamy, luxurious finish that transforms the dish from simple to spectacular, creating irresistible stringy cheese pulls with every serving.

Taco Gnocchi Skillet Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired taco gnocchi skillet blends potato dumplings with zesty southwestern flavors. Quick one-pan dinner delivers spicy comfort that pulls family together around the table with minimal cleanup.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 1 package gnocchi

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• ½ medium onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup sweet corn, canned or frozen
• 1 can Rotel

Seasonings and Cheese:

• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup water
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

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Instructions

1. Bring a robust stock pot of salted water to a rolling boil and submerge the gnocchi, cooking until they float to the surface, indicating perfect doneness. Carefully drain and reserve the pillowy pasta.
2. Ignite a large skillet over medium flame and introduce ground beef, allowing it to sizzle and brown alongside finely chopped onions and fragrant garlic. Season with salt and pepper, breaking the meat into delicate crumbles until no pink remains.
3. Expertly drain any lingering fat from the beef, then cascade the zesty Rotel tomatoes, vibrant taco seasoning, and a splash of water into the skillet. Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer, transforming into a rich, concentrated sauce.
4. Gently fold the tender gnocchi and sweet corn kernels into the spiced beef mixture, stirring to ensure every morsel absorbs the robust flavors. Continue cooking until the liquid nearly vanishes.
5. Remove the skillet from heat’s embrace and generously blanket the surface with a melodic blend of Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar cheeses. Cloak with a tight-fitting lid, allowing the residual warmth to melt the cheese into a luxurious, golden coating.

Notes

• Quick weeknight meal bursting with Tex-Mex flavors and comforting gnocchi goodness.
• Combines traditional Italian potato dumplings with zesty taco-inspired ingredients for an unexpected culinary adventure.
• Transforms standard weekday dinner into a cheesy, satisfying one-pan wonder that keeps cleanup minimal and taste buds dancing.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican-Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 525
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 850mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 29g
• Cholesterol: 90mg