The Best Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi
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The Best Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi
Get ready to fall in love with The Best Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi recipe! This dish is all about simplicity and flavor, combining tender gnocchi with a rich, cheesy creamy sauce and a kick of black pepper. It’s an easy, comforting meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. Gluten-free, Dairy-free + Vegan Option.
This Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi Seriously Hits The Spot!!
I only hopped on the gnocchi bandwagon a few years ago, and now I can't imagine life without it, Haha. Gnocchi are like little fluffy potato pillows of heaven! If you're a fan of creamy, cheesy goodness with a zesty kick, you’re going to fall head over heels for the Best Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi recipe. It’s one of those dishes where every bite is pure perfection! Plus, it's ready in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
I can't resist a comforting pasta dish, and gnocchi is a regular star in my weekly menu. There's something about the unique texture of gnocchi that I just ADORE. I've even been getting creative with it recently, whipping up dishes like Skillet Baked Cheesy Pumpkin Gnocchi, Weeknight Jamaican Curry Chicken + Gnocchi + Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup.
If you love lemony fresh recipes, then you absolutely have to try my homemade lemon pepper seasoning and explore dishes like Creamy Lemon Broccoli Tortellini Soup, Creamy Lemon Garlic Herb Tilapia, and Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken next!
Jump to:
- This Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi Seriously Hits The Spot!!
- What Is Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi?
- What is Gnocchi + How Do You Make It?
- Ingredients For The Best Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi
- 5 Reasons Why You Will LOVE This Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi
- Delicious Additions to Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi
- Topping Ideas for Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi
- What Are Delicious Foods to Pair This Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi With?
- Can I Make Vegan Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi?
- The Best Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi Q + A's
- More Deliciously Good Pasta Recipes
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- The Best Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi
What Is Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi?
It’s a classic Italian pasta dish Cacio e Pepe simply means "cheese and pepper" and it's all about simplicity + big flavors. With cheese and pepper, it turns into this creamy, peppery goodness that’s super satisfying.
What is Gnocchi + How Do You Make It?
Gnocchi are basically Italian dumplings made with flour, eggs, and potatoes---unless they are egg-free like this one that I purchased from Delallo foods. When it comes to making your own gnocchi, the process is done is fairly a few steps. It starts with boiling and mashing the potatoes, combining the ingredients together and kneading them into a ball, shaping the dough, cutting them into pieces, and boiling and draining the gnocchi. For a great recipe, check out AllRecipes.com.
Ingredients For The Best Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi
To whip up this Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi, start by boiling the gnocchi until they're tender and floating. Then, make the sauce and bake it all to golden, cheesy perfection!
- Potato gnocchi. You can make them yourself or purchase a quality store-bought version from Delallo Foods. For a gluten-free version, simply use gluten-free gnocchi.
- Butter. I recommend unsalted. You can always substitute with olive oil, grapeseed oil, or coconut oil. For a vegan/dairy-free option, use vegan butter.
- Seasonings. Coarse black pepper, Italian seasoning + sea salt.
- Garlic. I prefer fresh, but you could substitute with 1 Tablespoon garlic powder in a pinch for a bold flavor. You can also roast a garlic bulb for greater flavor.
- All-purpose flour. To help thicken the sauce. Feel free to use GF flour if preferred.
- Heavy cream. I recommend organic–always! Of course, for a vegan option, just use full-fat coconut cream/milk. Organic Valley is my go-to brand!
- Almond milk. You can use regular cow's milk, if desired.
- Lemon. Freshly-squeezed.
- Parmesan cheese. I love to freshly grate my cheese, however, you can use your favorite shredded brand---quality does matter! You could also use pecorino romano. For a vegan option, So Delicious Dairy-Free or Violife cheese shreds taste great. (You can keep things traditional with pecorino romano or domestic romano)
- Mozzarella cheese. Shredded.
GARNISH:
- Coarse black pepper. Optional.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS CREAMY GNOCCHI!
Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi. Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, wooden spoons, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
5 Reasons Why You Will LOVE This Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi
- Creamy, cheesy zesty and oh-so-delicious!
- It’s meatless--but still works for any eater.
- Perfect for busy weeknights and ready in 25 minutes!
- Fluffy pillowy gnocchi.. Need I say more?
- A definite crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Delicious Additions to Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi
Although this Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi recipe is amazing on its own, if you feel like adding a little extra flare, here are some ideas -
VEGGIE
- Roasted chickpeas for added crunch and protein
- Grilled eggplant or zucchini slices
- Herb roasted tomatoes
- Marinated artichokes
- Kale or other greens!
- Crumbled tofu or tempeh for a meaty texture
- Steamed broccoli florets for added greenery
MEAT
If you aren't restricted to only meatless options, then you can spruce things up by adding -
- Grilled or shredded chicken
- Sliced Italian sausage (spicy or mild)
- Chopped bacon or pancetta
- Shrimp or lobster
Topping Ideas for Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi
While I love this Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi dinner as-is, straight from the pan, you can dress it up with toppings if you like.
For extra flavor, color, and texture, you can try:
- Candied bacon (If you eat meat)
- Dollops of Pesto Sauce
- Chopped nuts, such as toasted pecans or walnuts
- Homemade croutons
- Sliced jalapeños for a bit more heat
- Crispy sage leaves
- Toasted panko bread crumbs
If you discover a new favorite topping idea, be sure to let me know in the comments section below!
What Are Delicious Foods to Pair This Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi With?
Here's the thing. This Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi recipe is so delicious and flavorful that you can honestly enjoy it all by itself. Seriously, the fluffy, tender gnocchi pillows + lemony peppery creamy sauce is everything! So, feel free to dig in and savor every single bite. It's a dish that stands tall on its own!
But if you're anything like me (A huge bread lover.. Haha), then I recommend enjoying some crusty bread on the side. I make my own homemade Cheesy Kale Garlic Bread and Cheesy Pesto Garlic Bread -- and they are an amazing vessel for scooping up every last drop of saucy goodness.
If you want a little freshness, serve it with a salad on the side, like a simple Easy Herb Tomato Salad or Smashed cucumber salad. It's a fresh burst of flavor that complements this easy weeknight dinner beautifully.
Can I Make Vegan Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi?
Absolutely! Just swap in vegan or dairy-free butter, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and choose your favorite meltable vegan cheese like So Delicious Dairy-free or Violife. The texture might be a bit different, but it’ll still be delicious!
The Best Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi Q + A's
Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. To re-heat, simply microwave for a minute or two or in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through.
Yes! If you'd like to switch things up and aren't restrictive to non-meat, feel free to add chicken breasts, salmon, shrimp, or lobster to this gnocchi bake for extra decadence. You can also enjoy this dish entirely meatless
Absolutely! You can always keep things more traditional by not baking it and leaving it as is once the gnocchi has been tossed in the sauce. Simply omit the mozzarella cheese.
To make this creamy gnocchi GF-friendly, simply substitute the gnocchi with a gluten-free version and ensure that other ingredients are GF-friendly.
More Deliciously Good Pasta Recipes
If you are a fan of The Best Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi recipe, then you will also love these recipes:
- Creamy Tuscan Lobster Pasta
- Easy Weeknight Creamy Tuscan Ravioli
- Creamy Salmon Alfredo Pasta
- Lemon Brown Butter Pasta
- Weeknight Tomato Kale Ravioli Bake
- Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta
- Vegan Bolognese Pasta
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried The Best Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
The Best Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz.) package potato gnocchi, homemade or store-bought (I like to use Delallo foods)
SAUCE:
- 2 Tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tsps coarse black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsps organic all-purpose flour
- 1 cup organic heavy cream
- 1 cup Almond milk (You can use regular cow's milk, if desired)
- ½ lemon, freshly-squeezed
- 1 cup freshly-grated parmesan cheese (You can keep things traditional with pecorino romano or domestic romano)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
GARNISH:
- Coarse black pepper, optional
Instructions
BOIL THE GNOCCHI:
- In a medium-sized pot (or deep skillet) over medium high-heat, fill it with water about ¾ of the way. Once boiling, add the gnocchi and let it boil for 4-5 minutes or until all gnocchi begins to float at the top. Remove from heat, drain, and set aside.
TO MAKE THE SAUCE:
- In a medium skillet (oven-safe) over medium-high heat, add the butter. Once melted, add the garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute or so, until fragrant.
- Add the salt, coarse black pepper, and Italian seasoning, stirring until combined. Add in the flour, stirring to combine.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly add in the heavy cream, milk, and lemon juice, stirring until combined. Let it slightly bubble for 1-2 minutes and then add in the grated parmesan, whisking until fully melted and sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. NOTE: The sauce should be thickened + velvety at this point.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- When the gnocchi is done, drain it and add it to the sauce, tossing until sauce fully coats + sticks to gnocchi.
BAKE EVERYTHING:
- Remove from heat and sprinkle the tops evenly with the shredded mozzarella cheese and bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the top is golden.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately with additional grated parmesan and/or coarse black pepper, if desired.
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. To re-heat, simply microwave for a minute or two or in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through.
- GREENS: To add a bit more flavor (and color) to this dish, you can always feel free to add in your favorite greens such as kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, collards, or asparagus.
- MEAT OPTION: If you'd like to switch things up and aren't restrictive to non-meat, feel free to add chicken breasts, salmon, shrimp, or lobster to this gnocchi bake for extra decadence. You can also enjoy this dish entirely meatless.
- NO-BAKE OPTION: You can always keep things more traditional by not baking it and leaving it as is once the gnocchi has been tossed in the sauce. Simply omit the mozzarella cheese.
Nutrition
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