Looking for a simple, flavorful weeknight dinner with minimal ingredients? This Easy Skillet Taco Gnocchi is a fast, family-friendly meal that combines tender potato gnocchi with seasoned ground meat and melted cheese. With just six main ingredients, it’s perfect for busy evenings or a fun twist on Taco Night.
I’ve made this skillet taco gnocchi several times recently. One night I wanted taco flavors but had no tortillas—just ground beef and a package of gnocchi—so I experimented. The result: soft potato pillows tossed with seasoned meat, tomatoes with green chiles, and plenty of cheese. It’s comfort food that feels a little different from the usual pasta or tacos.
Working in an Italian kitchen, I often see gnocchi paired with cream or meat sauces, but taco-style seasoning gives these little potato dumplings a fresh, bold twist. Add jalapeños for heat and top with sour cream, salsa, or avocado for a customizable dinner the whole family will enjoy.
What I love about this Taco Gnocchi Recipe
- Soft potato gnocchi replaces pasta or tortillas for a change of pace
- Quick and easy to pull together
- Only six main ingredients
- Kid-friendly and customizable
- Works with ground beef or ground turkey
I keep the core simple—meat, taco seasoning, canned tomatoes with green chiles, gnocchi, and cheese—then add whatever your family prefers. Olives, diced onion, or bell peppers are great additions. Finish with sour cream, hot sauce, cilantro, or fresh tomatoes to suit your taste.
I like using a cast iron skillet so I can finish the dish under the broiler to brown the cheese, but any ovenproof skillet works. If you don’t want to use the oven, cover the skillet and let the cheese melt on the stovetop.
How to make this Easy Skillet Taco Gnocchi
1. Brown the ground beef or turkey in a skillet over medium heat. If using, add the diced jalapeño early so it softens and infuses the meat.
2. While the meat cooks, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the gnocchi according to package directions (usually 2–3 minutes, until they float). Drain.
3. Add the taco seasoning packet and the amount of water the packet calls for to the cooked meat, then stir in the canned tomatoes with green chiles. Simmer a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Stir the cooked gnocchi into the meat mixture until everything is well combined. Top with shredded Mexican-style cheese.
5. Place the skillet under the broiler until the cheese melts and bubbles, or cover and let the cheese melt on the stovetop. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Optional step
For a bit of texture, after boiling and draining the gnocchi sauté them in a little olive oil until the edges brown, then add them to the meat mixture. This gives a pleasing crisp contrast to the soft interior.
Ground Beef or Ground Turkey
This recipe works with either ground beef or ground turkey. Ground turkey pairs well with taco seasoning and keeps the dish lighter, while beef delivers a richer flavor—use whichever you prefer.
Recipe Details
Easy Skillet Taco Gnocchi
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 jalapeño diced (optional)
- 1 15 oz. canned tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 packet taco seasoning plus water it calls for
- 1 16 oz. package potato gnocchi
- 1 ½ cups Mexican-style shredded cheese more or less to taste
Equipment
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1 cast iron skillet or regular skillet
Method
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Heat a skillet over medium and cook the ground beef or turkey with the diced jalapeño until browned. Drain excess grease.
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While the meat cooks, boil a pot of water and cook the gnocchi according to package instructions (usually 2–3 minutes until they float). Drain. Optional: sauté boiled gnocchi in olive oil until lightly browned for added texture.
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Add the taco seasoning and the amount of water called for on the packet to the skillet, then stir in the canned tomatoes with green chiles.
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Simmer, stirring, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
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Stir in the cooked gnocchi until combined, then sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
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Place the skillet under the broiler until the cheese melts and browns to your liking, or cover the skillet on the stovetop until the cheese is melted.
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Serve hot with optional toppings like sour cream, salsa, cilantro, or hot sauce.
