Gnocchi Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie will forever be one of my all-time favorite comfort foods. And while I’ll never say no to a fluffy, ethereal cloud of buttery mashed potatoes, it’s the one aspect of making a shepherd’s pie that adds time, hassle and extra dirty dishes to the process. This gnocchi shepherd’s pie is my way of skipping the fuss without sacrificing taste.

You don’t have to make homemade gnocchi to make gnocchi shepherd’s pie. Just grab a package from the pasta aisle of your local supermarket. While you could technically boil the gnocchi for this recipe, I prefer to toast it in a bit of melted butter. This method not only skips the pot and colander, but it gives the gnocchi a crispy-on-the-outside, pillowy-on-the-inside texture that contrasts nicely with the soft, tender beef and vegetable filling.

I know omitting mashed potatoes may seem sacrilegious for shepherd’s pie, so you’ll have to trust me when I say that this simple swap is pure magic for your time and taste buds.

Ingredients for ​​Shepherd’s Pie Gnocchi

• Gnocchi: Gnocchi (pronounced NYOH-kee) is a small Italian dumpling made from potatoes, flour and egg. Here, they replace the mashed potatoes that typically top shepherd’s pie recipes.
• Butter: Butter is best for sauteing gnocchi. It evenly browns and crisps the gnocchi while lending it a nutty, savory taste that complements the soft, starchy interior.
• Ground beef: While you can use any ground beef for this recipe, 85% lean is the best meat-to-fat ratio for this recipe. It has enough fat to give the dish some added richness without making the sauce greasy or oily.
• Aromatics: A trio of carrots, onions and garlic functions as a flavorful sweet-and-savory base for the beef filling.
• Herbs and spices: A combination of salt, black pepper, sage and dried thyme perfectly seasons the beef and vegetable mixture.
• All-purpose flour: A small sprinkle of flour acts as a thickening agent to create a smooth, simple gravy-like sauce that coats the filling and gnocchi.
• Beef broth: A pour of beef broth infuses the shepherd’s pie gnocchi with even more beefy flavor.
• Worcestershire sauce: A dash of Worcestershire sauce adds depth and rich, umami complexity.
• Dijon mustard: Dijon gives the sauce a little zip and acidity.
• Tomato paste: Tomato paste gives the beef and vegetables a robust flavor and enhances the other savory flavors in the recipe.
• Frozen peas: Peas are traditional inclusion in most British recipes for shepherd’s pie. There’s no need to thaw them, as the heat of the dish will cook the peas sufficiently before serving.
• Fresh parsley: A sprinkle of chopped parsley adds freshness and a burst of contrasting color.

Directions

Step 1: Toast the gnocchi

Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the packaged gnocchi to the pan. Toss to coat them in the melted butter, then cook, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is golden and lightly crispy, about six to eight minutes. Transfer them to a bowl.

Step 2: Cook the beef, onions and carrots

Add the ground beef to the skillet, and cook it until almost no pink remains, about five to seven minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Add the onion and carrot, and cook them until the onions are translucent and the carrots have started to soften, about four to five minutes. Stir in the garlic, sage, thyme, salt and pepper, and cook the mixture until it’s fragrant, about 30 to 60 seconds.

Step 3: Build the sauce

Stir in the flour, and cook it until it’s lightly browned, about one to two minutes.

Gradually pour in the beef broth, stirring constantly until a smooth sauce develops. Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard.

Step 4: Add the peas and gnocchi

Stir in the peas and toasted gnocchi. Simmer the mixture until the sauce is thickened and the gnocchi are warmed through, two to three minutes.

Editor’s Tip: For a saucier dish, you can add additional beef broth. Add 1/4 cup at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

Shepherd’s Pie Gnocchi Variations

• Make it look like classic shepherd’s pie: To mimic the appearance of classic shepherd’s pie, arrange the toasted gnocchi on top rather than mixing them into the beef. For a special finish, brush the gnocchi with 2 tablespoons of melted butter mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder to give it a lustrous shine. Finish it with fresh chopped parsley.
• Give it a cheesy finish: For an ooey-gooey touch, cook the gnocchi shepherd’s pie in an oven-proof skillet and then top it with 1/2 cup of finely grated sharp cheddar cheese. Place it under the broiler for one to two minutes until it’s golden and bubbly.
• Add lamb, turkey or chicken: Swap other types of protein for the ground beef if desired. Lamb would lend an authentic flavor while ground turkey or chicken would make the dish a bit leaner.
• Make it vegetarian: For a vegetarian shepherd’s pie with gnocchi, substitute vegetable broth for the beef broth and use plant-based meat crumbles instead of ground beef. You may also wish to omit Worcestershire from the recipe, as it’s typically made with anchovies.
• Include more veggies: While a trio of onions, carrots and peas is most common in shepherd’s pie, you can add or swap other vegetables that you enjoy. Just make sure to keep the total amount of vegetables between 2 to 2-1/2 cups. Frozen corn, green beans, sliced mushrooms, leeks, turnips or parsnips would all make excellent additions or substitutions to this recipe.
• Pour in a splash of beer: For depth and complexity, substitute 1/2 cup of dark beer (like a stout or another Irish beer) for a portion of the beef broth. Add it first, before any broth, to deglaze the pan. Let it simmer for a minute or two, then proceed to gradually add the broth as directed.

How to Store Shepherd’s Pie Gnocchi

Gnocchi shepherd’s pie should be refrigerated in an airtight food storage container.

How long does gnocchi shepherd’s pie last?

Gnocchi shepherd’s pie is best enjoyed within three or four days.

How should you reheat shepherd’s pie gnocchi?

You can reheat shepherd’s pie gnocchi on the stovetop or in the microwave. For the stovetop, warm it in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a splash of water or broth to rehydrate the sauce.

To microwave shepherd’s pie gnocchi, warm it in a partially covered, microwave-safe container with a splash of water or broth until it’s heated through.

Shepherd’s Pie Gnocchi Tips

Is shepherd’s pie traditionally made with beef or lamb?

Technically, shepherd’s pie is made with ground lamb, while beef versions are typically called cottage pie in the United Kingdom. However, because beef is more popular in the United States, the title “shepherd’s pie” is often used to describe beef-based recipes, too.

What should you serve with shepherd’s pie gnocchi?

This gnocchi shepherd’s pie is an all-in-one meal that really doesn’t need any side dishes to feel complete. That said, a colorful green side salad would offer a light and fresh contrast to this cozy comfort food. You could also serve it with a loaf of homemade crusty bread, which is perfect for sopping up every drop of the delectable sauce.