Yes – this is happening. Absolutely, this is happening. Everyone, it’s time for Gnocchi Bacon Mac ‘n Cheese.
I honestly cannot even remember the last time I was THIS EXCITED about food.
Where has this been all my life??
Why have I never thought to use gnocchi in my homemade mac ‘n cheese before?
It’s like my brain has been turned off for the last 20+ years and someone just flipped the switch – the switch to cheesy, creamy, gnocchi deliciousness. Oh, and that deliciousness is also laced with bacon.
Grant is the genius behind this recipe! We’ve had a few packages of gnocchi sitting in our pantry for ages. I’ve had good – no, the best – intentions to use them for something. Yet, they sat there, for weeks. Abandoned. Until Grant mentioned that mac ‘n cheese with gnocchi would be good.
Try amazing. Life-changing, even.
And adding bacon? Next-level good! I wish you could smell and taste this recipe through the screen.
This gnocchi bacon mac ‘n cheese is a recipe you need to have in your arsenal!
It’s quick, easy, doesn’t require lots of ingredients, or any weird/fancy/hard-to-find ingredients, and it’s just darn good!
I like to roast some cauliflower (I shared my recipe for roast cauliflower a little ways back) or some broccoli and add it to my mac ‘n cheese or serve it on the side!
But hey, this is comfort food so I won’t judge if ya don’t want to add any veggies ?.
My only requirement is that you make this – and make this on REPEAT. I know I’m going to! Do you have a list (on paper, or in your head) of your favorite go-to recipes? I’d love to know what kind of recipes are on it!
As soon as I made this, Grant and I were in absolute agreement that it was list-worthy. Gnocchi bacon mac ‘n cheese, we love you.
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Gnocchi Bacon Mac 'n Cheese
Comfort food at it's best! Creamy, rich mac 'n cheese made from scratch, with gnocchi and bacon.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp tapioca starch or corn starch
- 1 cup chicken broth or vegetable stock
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 sage leaf
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 8 oz cheddar cheese Buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself
- 6 oz fontina cheese Buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 packages gnocchi
- 1 package bacon
Instructions
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Cook your bacon according to package directions and chop into bits.
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Whisk together the tapioca starch and chicken broth and let sit while you grate the cheese. Grate the cheese and set aside.
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Heat olive oil in a large pan or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sage leaf and saute for a few minutes. Discard the sage leaf. Add the starch/broth mixture and the milk and whisk to combine. Whisking constantly, cook the mixture until it begins to boil.
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While waiting for the milk mixture to boil, cook the gnocchi according to package directions and drain. Typical cooking time for gnocchi is only a few minutes and I don't like my cooked pasta to sit out which is why I didn't do this at the beginning.
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When the milk mixture reaches a low boil, remove the pan from the heat and SLOWLY whisk in the cheeses. I did this a handful of cheese at a time, whisking well in between. It's important to do this step slowly rather than adding all the cheese at once to avoid getting clumps that don't melt correctly. Add the salt and pepper, and stir.
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Stir the gnocchi and bacon bits into the cheese mixture. Serve immediately!
Recipe Notes
Note: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Note: You can reheat this in the microwave or stove. I recommend adding a splash of milk when reheating to help the cheese sauce become smooth again.
Note: It's important to buy the cheese in blocks and grate it yourself - something about pre-shredded cheese doesn't melt quite right in recipes like this and nobody wants clumpy, lumpy cheese sauce!
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Robin Gagnon says
YES! I love how cheesy this recipe is. Nothing worse than a dry mac n cheese.
Stephanie Simmons says
Oh for sure!! Love me some cheese ??
Jenn says
This plus roasted cauliflower – perfecto! Loving this easy cheesy recipe!
Stephanie Simmons says
Oo yes!! ??
April says
What an inviting meal! It looks beautiful plus it’s sounds delicious! Where did you get the bowls? I love them!
Stephanie Simmons says
Thank you!! I got them at World Market!
Lisa says
There is so much deliciousness in one bowl here! My mouth is watering just thinking about this!
Stephanie Simmons says
Mine is too! I wish I had some left ?
Fred says
This is so creative Stephanie! I’ve never thought about this myself, and it would sure be delicious; my wife is a big mac’n’cheese fan so I need to make it one day to surprise her :). Thanks for sharing!
Stephanie Simmons says
That’s a great idea, Fred! Enjoy!!
Gingey Bites says
YES!! I am 100% going to try this recipe ASAP as I never really know what to do with gnocchi either. Basically cheese + bacon + pasta is always amazing 🙂
Stephanie Simmons says
Ahh love it!! Yes, cheese, pasta, and bacon are life!
Jacqueline Debono says
Love this idea! Gnocchi go so well with cheesy sauces so it sounds like a perfect match! Def want to try it out, although I’ll probably make the gnocchi myself!
Stephanie Simmons says
Oo that’s awesome! I’ve always wanted to make my own gnocchi – if you do a recipe on it I’ll have to check it out!
Heather says
I love gnocchi! Such a brilliant idea to make it Mac ‘N Cheese style. The soft pillow-y texture of gnocchi with all the cheese-y, creamy goodness…YUM!
Stephanie Simmons says
Thank you so much! It was AMAZING!
sondria Harp says
What a tremendous idea. I love gnocchi and I love that this is another way to indulge in my favorite pasta. Cheese and bacon you can’t go wrong.
Stephanie Simmons says
Thank you Somdria! Absolutely agree ❤️
Vi Missiaen says
OoOoo looks so yummy! Also, the tips at the bottom are great. Now I understand why my homemade Mac and cheese never turns out quite right…
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks Vi! ❤️ Have ended up with clumpy mac n cheese before?? It’s the worst ?