With its velvety sauce and bits of salty bacon, this Gnocchi Carbonara makes for a spectacular dinner! Oh, and I threw a crispy fried egg on top too, because – why not?
Well, that may be a tad misleading…
Of course crispy fried eggs are a perfect addition to almost anything (and you can quote me on that), but I added it to today’s dish for a specific purpose.
My carbonara sauce is a tried and true recipe that I scored from my dad many years ago. And although it doesn’t include egg yolks, it’s every bit as creamy and satisfying as you imagine a good carbonara to be. Now couple it with potato gnocchi, and the comfort level is probably just about as much as any one person can handle. Is it possible to have too much comfort? Nahhhhh. 😉
So. In wanting to give a nod to the authentic recipe, which does include egg yolk, but still maintain the perfection of Dad’s sauce, I went with a deconstructed version.
Cream in the sauce with an egg on top. It works.
And don’t get me started on this winning texture. The crispy of the egg plays perfectly off the pillowy softness of the gnocchi.
I used shelf-stable potato gnocchi for today’s recipe, but feel free to make it with my homemade.
Check out this cozy list of ingredients:
- Gnocchi
- Bacon or pancetta
- garlic
- light cream
- red pepper flakes
- fried egg
- fresh parsley
- Romano
That’s what I’m sayin’!
If you’re looking for a pleasing and gratifying dish that’s fancy without being time consuming – this Gnocchi Carbonara is it!
Buon Appetito!
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Gnocchi Carbonara
- Category: Pasta
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
With its velvety sauce and bits of salty bacon, this Gnocchi Carbonara makes for a spectacular dinner!
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- ½ lb. thick sliced bacon or pancetta, chopped into small cubes
- 4 – 5 medium garlic cloves, chopped
- ½ tsp. red pepper flakes
- 1 cup light cream
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 2 or more large eggs
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound package shelf-stable potato gnocchi, or CCB’s homemade gnocchi
- ½ cup Romano cheese, grated
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet.
- Brown the bacon until crispy and add the chopped garlic at the end for about a minute.
- Add red pepper flakes and stir.
- Add the cream and heat to a boil.
- Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 Tbsp. butter.
- Crack eggs into skillet and season with salt and pepper.
- Cover pan and cook until eggs are crispy and yolk is still soft. Set aside.
- Cook gnocchi according to package directions, about 3 minutes; drain.
- Pour sauce over cooked gnocchi.
- Toss together in a bowl.
- Serve and top with crispy fried egg, plenty of grated Romano cheese and chopped parsley.
Looking for more exciting gnocchi recipes?
Gnocchi with Crispy Bacon, Sautéed Scallions, Toasted Pine Nuts & Parmigiano
Gnocchi with Zucchini, Fresh Herbs and Ricotta Salata
Fried Gnocchi with Garlic & Parmigiano
CIAO!
I love your Italian recipes Annie!! All of them are so easy and so delicious! This ones a delight as well, specially with that crispy egg on top! Yummy!
Nothing beats a crispy fried egg on top! Thank you, girlfriend!
This is a really delicious and beautiful looking dinner, Annie. Absolutely loving the egg on top and definitely want to check out your homemade gnocchi recipe 🙂
Thank you, Ashika!!
LOVE carbonara! And the egg on the top is perfection!
Thanks, Kevin!! 🙂 🙂
Interesting recipe! Looks so comforting and delicious and I like your take on combining gnocchi with carbonara and the egg topping is such a genius add. Definitely a perfect any day meal!
Thank you! I agree – I could eat it any day!! 🙂
Oh my goodness, this is happiness on a plate! All those flavors and comfort!! I love that the carbonara recipe started with your dad, what I nice memory. Yum! Pinned. Take care.
Happiness on a plate! Love that! Thank you, friend!
What a lovely touch Annie with the fried egg perched over the gnocchi! It just elevates the gnocchi dish to a whole other level. I love it!
Thank you, Marisa! It sure does! 🙂
I wasn’t lying when I said I’m so glad I have some leftover gnocchi in the fridge for this dish! I’ll be trying this very soon – that egg on top is perfection!
You will love it, my friend! 🙂
I love how you have a recipe handed down from your dad and you cook from it today. I’ve not made Gnocchi in at least a year and I absolutely crave it! An egg on top is the icing on the cake! Thank you always for your inspiration, Annie! xo
This recipe’s a keeper! And the aroma while the sauce is coming together is too nostalgic for words! Thank you, my friend! xo
This is such a clever recipe – you could have it for breakfast or lunch (or dinner too) and it’s comforting and filling. I love gnocchi – and never thought of pairing it with carbonara! Just lovely, Annie!
This dish works any time of the day or night! Not a bad deal! 😉 Thanks, friend! 🙂
Never a bad thing to have too much comfort, especially in the form of a beautifully presented tasty dish like this one, Annie! This is so up my alley! Wish we were neighbours…I’d already be on your doorstep looking for this. Can’t wait to try this one out after meatless March 😉 Perfection, my friend! Have a lovely week! XOXO
Wish we were too! I thought you might like this one! 🙂 Thank you, my friend! Have a great week! XOXO
Well this is just brilliant, Annie!! I love carbonara, but shaking it up with gnocchi is cozy perfection!! And the deconstruction of the egg yolk is genius!! Basically, this looks like heaven on earth!!! Pinning to try! Cheers!
It sure is a lovely dining experience! Thanks, friend!! 🙂
I love your take on a deconstructed carbonara, Annie! I bet your dad’s creamy sauce is rich and delicious and the fried egg on top is totally my jam. I am imagining releasing the yolk with my fork over the cozy gnocchi. Gotta love gnocchi. Pinned and going to check out your other recipes.,
His is my favorite! But the addition of the crispy fried egg is a nice touch! Thanks, friend! Enjoy the recipes! 🙂
I adore gnocchi and carbonara!! Why have I never thought of combing the two?! Genius Annie!
Hehehe! Happy I could help! 😉 Thanks, friend!
You always succeed in making me hungry. This is a dream come true for gnocchi lovers! And the egg on top is the icing on the cake :). Have a great week, Annie!
Ahhh – wonderful! I have achieved my goal! 😉 Thank you, friend! )
Such a beautiful dish and I love bringing the carbonara flavours to gnocchi! WIll be trying this 🙂
Comfort to the max! Thank you, friend!
I shouldn’t be looking at this now — I’m having oatmeal for breakfast and that will certainly be a huge letdown after looking at his luscious looking dish. YUM!! Next egg breakfast this is what I want!!
Yep – I was thinking this would make for an incredible breakfast! Thanks, dear! 🙂