This post should really be entitled “Gnocchi with Gorgonzola Sauce,” but since I didn’t make the gnocchi myself, I’m just making this post about the sauce. Which, if you love any form of good blue cheese, you will love. I promise.
This Italian-inspired sauce is pretty rich, but you don’t make much of it by following this recipe. A little goes a long way.
The flavor profile is lovely, with the combination of the blue cheese, a little bit of bacon, and everything topped off with toasted pine nuts.
Keep in mind that if you don’t love blue cheese, any cheese can be substituted. Goat cheese would be incredible in this sauce. And you can always omit the bacon, although that would be a shame.
Gnocchi with Gorgonzola Sauce
4 slices, about 4 ounces, bacon, diced
1 teaspoon oil
2 small shallots, diced
4 cloves garlic, diced
2/3 cup cream of choice – I used evaporated milk
Crumbled blue cheese*, about 4 ounces or less if desired
1 – 16 ounce package fresh gnocchi – these are actually mini gnocchi
Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add the diced bacon and the oil; I used olive oil.
Turn the skillet’s heat down to medium, and cook the bacon until mostly all done. You’re not going for crispy bacon, you’re just cooking it and rendering some fat in the process. Add the shallots and garlic.
(If you prefer to sauté the shallots and garlic in olive oil and omit the bacon step, you can always throw in some prosciutto at the end, before sprinkling the gnocchi with pine nuts.)
Cook them for about a minute, then pour in the cream or milk you have chosen to use in the sauce.
Keep the heat at about medium, and cook the cream mixture for at least 5 minutes at a nice simmer.
After the liquid has reduced a little, stir in the blue cheese crumbles.
Give them a gentle stir, then remove the skillet from the heat.
Cook the gnocchi according to package directions. Mine suggested a cooking time of 1 – 2 minutes. I stopped cooking at 1 minute, because I want the gnocchi to absorb the sauce. If necessary, more cream or milk can be added if necessary.
See how beautiful these gnocchi are? They really hold their shape.
After cooking, drain the gnocchi well.
Then add the drained gnocchi to the prepared sauce.
Give everything a gentle stir, and then set the skillet aside. Have your toasted pine nuts handy.
Just before serving, heat the gnocchi through. Add a little more liquid if necessary, if the gnocchi have absorbed a significant amount of the sauce.
If desired, sprinkle the gnocchi with the toasted pine nuts. The crunch is delicious with the soft gnocchi.
note: This package of mini gnocchi, which I highly recommend if you don’t make your own gnocchi, makes 4 servings as side dishes, or two generous servings as entrées. I served the gnocchi along with steak and broccoli for dinner, but they would be just as fabulous as a vegetarian meal served along side a green or tomato salad.
* I happened to have some leftover Gorgonzola on hand from Christmas, but any good Stilton or a Cambazola would work just as well. If you’re not fond of a strong blue cheese flavor, you can cut it in half with a mild cheese like a Fontina, a Chèvre, or even some cream cheese.
Haven’t made (or cooked) gnocchi in ages! Probably 3 years, I think my last time was a sweet potato gnocchi that is in the blog somewhere, but too long ago.
comfort food at its best! ;-)
wonderful sauce….
These packaged gnocchi were really good! Nice in a pinch. I haven’t made gnocci for quite a while as well…
A fabulous dish Mimi. I love Gorgonzola and it works so well in sauces so I’m sure this is delicious. My gnocchi making hasn’t been very successful so I’d definitely buy the packs like you!!
The gnocchi were very good! I was impressed. I also recently bought frozen raviolis to bake as an appetizer, and never got around to it, so I cooked them and they were very impressive! Maybe I should look into pre-packaged food a little more!!!
Sounds absolutely delish! I have a similar sauce with mushrooms that I use for grilled steaks ~ love Gorgonzola in sauces!
Oh, mushrooms and blue cheese is the best!
This looks so delicious! :)
Jess
It is! If you love gorgonzola, of course!
Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about… Beautiful. <3
Thank you!
Gnocchi are on my bucket list just yet. Lovely sauce Mimi.
I can make plain ones, but I haven’t yet mastered the ones with the fork marks!
looks very very tempting, the sauce (I do like blue cheese a lot!) and the gnocchi. I heartily approve of the addition of pine nuts. yum
Thanks!
Love this recipe, chef! Gnocchi are one of my favorites and I’m overdue on making some for Sunday supper. A quick question on your sauce: do you think I could use it to top a seared steak? We’re thinking of grilling steaks this weekend and I’d like something to make them a little more special for our family that’s in from the west coast. I could also see serving appetizer portions of the gnocchi before the steaks come off the grill!
I wouldn’t use this sauce on steaks because it’s quite thin. I would simply mix some butter with the Gorgonzola – you could actually make a compound butter and put a slice on each steak – or simply mix a little heavy cream or cream cheese with the blue cheese. If you want the shallots, saute them in butter, then add a little cream and the cheese. That would definitely work!
I love gorgonzola sauce, so this is right up my alley! Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen
I understand !
Mimi – I’m so glad you posted this. One of the most memorable meals I’ve ever eaten was in a restaurant in Aosta, Italy. It was a little whole in the wall. I had gnocchi gorgonzola for dinner and every bite melted on my tongue. Sublime. It was so good that I’ve never really wanted to recreate it. But now I will – with your recipe. Wonderful!
Isn’t it funny how easy it is to remember a fabulous meal!!!
I already know the occasion when I will serve this! It’s rich and delicious, and perfect taste combos! :-)
Oh nice!!! Everyone will be pleased!
creamy bacony anything is always a hit in this house. Plus the extra crunch of pine nuts?! sold.
Cream and bacon is a magic combo!!!
I think I hear a grilled steak that is calling for this sauce too!
oh yeah!
This looks like a fab dinner!! I love the richness of gorgonzola and gnocchi. I can’t wait to try this recipe. It would be perfect for a special occasion!
Plus it’s also so easy to make! Thanks!
This looks amazing! I bet the sauce could make any dish taste better. It would be perfect with lam!!!
Maybe too strong for fish? But it’s very good!