Gnocchi with Ham and Cheese

Gnocchi with ham and cheese is a quick, comforting one-skillet dinner made with pillowy gnocchi, savoury ham, melted cheese, and a splash of milk or cream. This cozy dish comes together in about 15 minutes and is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something warm, satisfying, and effortless.

Hey folks – how are you doing?

If you’re craving something cozy but don’t feel like spending much time in the kitchen, this one’s for you. This recipe is all about simplicity, comfort, and minimal cleanup, while still delivering big flavour. So, let’s dive into this gnocchi with ham and cheese.

Why You’ll Love Ham and Cheese Skillet Gnocchi

• Fast and fuss-free. Ready in about 15 minutes from start to finish.
• One skillet. Everything comes together in a single pan for easy cleanup.
• Comfort food at its best. Soft gnocchi, savoury ham, and melted cheese make this incredibly satisfying.
• Flexible and forgiving. Works with different cheeses, herbs, and even leftover ham.
• Perfect weeknight dinner. Simple ingredients, big payoff.

What Are Skillet Gnocchi?

Skillet gnocchi are shelf-stable gnocchi designed to be cooked directly in a pan without boiling first. Instead of simmering in water, they’re sautéed until golden and slightly crisp on the outside while staying tender inside. They’re ideal for quick meals like this one-skillet gnocchi recipe.

That said, regular gnocchi work just as well. You’ll simply boil them briefly before adding them to the skillet with the sauce.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Gnocchi with Ham and Cheese

To make gnocchi with ham and cheese, you’ll need:

• Store-bought gnocchi. Skillet-style gnocchi work best for speed, but regular gnocchi are perfectly fine.
• Olive oil and butter. A combination that adds flavour and helps everything brown gently.
• Shallots or onion. These form the aromatic base; sweet onion works beautifully here.
• Cooked lean ham. Adds savoury richness and makes this a great way to use leftovers.
• Melting cheese. Mild Cheddar, Gouda, Swiss, Monterey Jack, or Gruyère all melt well.
• Milk or light cream. Just enough to create a creamy, cohesive sauce.
• Smoked paprika. Adds subtle warmth and depth.
• Salt and black pepper. Adjust carefully, keeping the saltiness of the ham in mind.
• Fresh herbs. Basil, oregano, thyme, or parsley add freshness at the end.

How to Make Gnocchi with Ham and Cheese

For Skillet Gnocchi

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over low-medium heat. Add the shallots and cook for a couple of minutes, just until soft and fragrant.

Stir in the ham and cook for 2–3 minutes until lightly browned. Add the skillet gnocchi and cook for another 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn lightly golden.

Reduce the heat to low. Add the milk or cream and the shredded cheese, then simmer gently until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Season with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve right away.

For Regular Gnocchi

Cook the gnocchi in boiling salted water according to the package instructions, usually 2–4 minutes, until they float to the surface. Drain well.

While the gnocchi cook, prepare the shallots and ham in a skillet as described above. Add the milk or cream (or a splash of gnocchi cooking water for a lighter sauce) and the cheese, simmering until smooth and melted.

Add the drained gnocchi to the skillet and cook for 1–2 minutes, just until coated in the sauce. Season to taste and serve.

More Gnocchi Recipes

Are you looking for more easy skillet recipes, like this gnocchi with ham and cheese? Be sure to check more recipes below:

• Pan-fried Butter Sage Gnocchi
• Crispy Skillet Gnocchi with Caramelized Onions and Chestnuts
• Festive Pan-Fried Gnocchi with Cranberries and Clementine
• Skillet Gnocchi with Ham and Tomatoes
• Crispy Pan-Fried Gnocchi with Prosciutto and Sage

I’d love for you to try this pan-fried gnocchi with cheese ana ham. If you give the recipe a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen. I look forward to seeing your creations and hearing your thoughts!

Cheers!

Print

Gnocchi with Ham and Cheese

Recipe by Ben | Havocinthekitchen

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Pasta and Gnocchi

Servings

3-4

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

This one-skillet gnocchi with ham and cheese is creamy, comforting, and ready in about 15 minutes – an easy weeknight dinner everyone loves.

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

• 1 lb. (450 gr.) store-bought gnocchi – I used skillet gnocchi that does not require boiling, but you can use regular, too

• 1 tbsp. (15 ml.) olive oil

• 1 tbsp. (15 gr.) butter

• 2-3 shallots, minced – or a small regular onion, preferably sweet variety

• about 150 gr. lean cooked ham, cubed

• 2/3 cup (about 80 gr.) shredded melting cheese, such as mild Cheddar, Gouda, Swiss, Monterey jack, or Gruyère

• 1/4 cup (60 ml.) milk or light (5-10%) cream

• 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

• salt and black pepper, to taste

• fresh herbs such as basil, oregano, thyme, or parsley

Directions

• For Skillet Gnocchi
• In a large skillet, heat the oil and butter over low-medium heat and cook the shallots, for a couple of minutes, or just until soft and fragrant.
• Add the ham and cook for 2-3 minutes, until lightly browned.
• Add the skillet gnocchi and cook them for an additional 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi start turning nicely golden (be sure to check the recommended cooking time on the package.)
• Turn the heat to low. Add the milk or cream and shredded cheese and simmer for a few minutes until melted and combined. Season with the smoked paprika and salt and pepper to taste (keep in mind the saltiness of ham.) You can cover the skillet with a lid to make the melting process easier. Sprinkle with some herbs and serve.
• For Regular Gnocchi
• Cook the gnocchi in boiling salted water, according to the package info; this should take about 2-4 minutes or so – until the gnocchi are floating on the top.
• In a meantime, proceed with making the sauce as steps 1 and 2 for the skillet gnocchi.
• When the onions and ham are ready, stir in the milk or cream (or you can use a few splashed of boiling water from gnocchi for a lighter sauce.) and cheese. Simmer for a few minutes until melted and smooth.
• Once gnocchi are ready (floating to the top), drain and add them to the skillet with the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes to just coat them with the sauce. Season to taste. Enjoy!