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    Home » Main dishes

    Gnocchi with pork and fennel

    November 15, 2015 by Caroline's Cooking

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    This gnocchi with pork and fennel is a delicious combination of flavors that's hearty and comforting. Easy and quick to put together, a great any-day meal. #gnocchi #sauceforgnocchi #groundpork

    This gnocchi with pork and fennel is a delicious combination of flavors that's hearty and comforting. Easy and quick to put together, it's a perfect any-day meal.

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    bowl of gnocchi with pork and fennel

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    Gnocchi are one of the most popular meals in our house. If you want a sense of how much my toddler likes them, basically there are two meals you can guarantee he will eat as fast as you: homemade gnocchi and chicken curry.

    These days he usually eats as many gnocchi as us, after his requests for more. Despite his love for them, he's not particularly flexible in how he enjoys them, though.

    bowl of gnocchi with pork and fennel in bowl from overhead

    I manage to get him to switch color between potato spinach gnocchi and acorn squash gnocchi, but always served the same. He likes them with green and red sauce (AKA homemade pesto and roast tomato sauce).

    Typically we just have the same, since it's tasty and I don't usually want to make a second meal. Recently, though, I have been trying some different sauces for us, in part to make it more filling since my toddler is eating so many. There are only so many gnocchi I feel like rolling!

    This gnocchi with pork and fennel is one such recipe, and the result is both easy and tasty. The flavors are perfect for this time of year and the whole meal is also easy on your budget.

    gnocchi with pork and fennel in skillet

    I love fennel as an ingredient as it has a lovely flavor both raw and cooked, the two being quite different meaning it can be used in a range of ways.

    When it is cooked so that it starts to caramelize, a lovely sweetness comes out that goes really well with the pork and the softness of the gnocchi. The flavor goes particularly well with a fall-flavored gnocchi like squash, pumpkin or even sweet potato.

    Gnocchi are generally cheap but even more so if you make your own (plus they taste better, I think). There's not a huge amount of meat, and it's not an expensive cut anyway, but the flavor really carries through.

    cooking fennel and ground pork in skillet

    Steps to make gnocchi with pork and fennel

    All you do is:

    • Slice then soften the fennel.
    • Add the pork and brown all over.
    • Sprinkle over the thyme, add the stock and bring to a simmer.
    • Reduce heat, add sour cream and parmesan then stir through the cooked gnocchi.
    sauce before adding gnocchi for gnocchi with pork and fennel

    This gnocchi with pork and fennel is a hearty dish with a tasty range of flavors, despite being so easy to make and not having too many ingredients. It's already become a new favorite of ours (even if I can't get my son out of his rut).

    bowl of gnocchi with pork and fennel with skillet with more in behind

    Try these other tasty ways with gnocchi:

    • Creamy bacon sauce with spinach (for pasta/gnocchi)
    • Mushroom gnocchi
    • Butternut squash sauce
    • Lobster gnocchi
    • Plus get more comforting dishes in the winter recipes archives.
    bowl of gnocchi with pork and fennel viewed from side
    Print Recipe
    5 from 6 votes

    Gnocchi with pork and fennel

    This easy sauce adds tons of flavor to gnocchi for a hearty, tasty meal.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Servings: 3 approx
    Calories: 596kcal
    Author: Caroline's Cooking
    SaveSaved!

    Ingredients

    • 1 bulb fennel medium
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ lb ground pork 225g pork mince
    • ¼ teaspoon thyme
    • ½ cup light stock 120ml, eg chicken
    • 2 tablespoon sour cream
    • ½ cup parmesan 10g approx, finely grated
    • 1 lb gnocchi 450g, or 1 quantity acorn squash gnocchi, approx depending on appetites

    Instructions

    • Slice the fennel and cut larger slices into chunks. Heat the oil in a skillet and cook the fennel over a medium-high heat until softened and starting to brown, around 7-10min.
    • Meanwhile, cook the gnocchi following directions on packet/ in recipe and keep warm in a covered dish.
    • Add the ground pork to the pan and brown, stirring frequently to break up the meat and ensure all is browned. Add the thyme to the pan then the stock.
    • Once it has come through the boil, reduce to a gentle simmer, stir in the sour cream and parmesan and stir until mixed through then add the cooked gnocchi to the pan, stir and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 596kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 881mg | Potassium: 589mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 285IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 285mg | Iron: 7mg

    See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store. 

    Remember to pin for later!

    This gnocchi with pork and fennel is a delicious combination of flavors that's hearty and comforting. Easy and quick to put together, a great any-day meal. #gnocchi #sauceforgnocchi #groundpork
    This gnocchi with pork and fennel is a delicious combination of flavors that's hearty and comforting. Easy and quick to put together, a great any-day meal. #gnocchi #sauceforgnocchi #groundpork
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    1. Gary

      September 11, 2019 at 11:06 am

      5 stars
      Love your recipe, thank you! I used cauliflower gnocchi and it was wonderful!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        September 11, 2019 at 10:25 pm

        Glad to hear you enjoyed! It's one we love as well.

        Reply
    2. Iryna

      January 04, 2019 at 11:01 pm

      5 stars
      I love gnocchi and this recipe would be perfect for dinner. My husband would devour this in to time.

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        January 06, 2019 at 7:28 pm

        Thanks, it makes a delicious dinner!

        Reply
    3. Adrianne

      January 04, 2019 at 8:52 pm

      5 stars
      This dish looks like it has great flavour and texture. I love that you have used fennel as some people are too afraid to try it. I think anyone would be happy with a big plate of this for dinner!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        January 06, 2019 at 7:27 pm

        Thanks, it does indeed! And I agree, fennel is a bit underused but I for one love it as an ingredient.

        Reply
    4. Jeannette (Jay Joy)

      January 04, 2019 at 8:43 pm

      5 stars
      I have tried so many times to make gnocchi but it never comes out quite right. WIsh me luck! This combination of flavors sounds amazing and glad the recipe is easy and quick to put together.

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        January 06, 2019 at 7:26 pm

        You can easily use store-bought gnocchi for this recipe, as the sauce has enough flavor etc, but definitely wishing you luck to try making your own again as well!

        Reply
    5. Sandi

      January 04, 2019 at 8:31 pm

      5 stars
      This looks like perfect comfort food! I love gnocchi!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        January 06, 2019 at 7:25 pm

        It's comfort food, indeed!

        Reply
    6. Jillian

      January 04, 2019 at 8:21 pm

      5 stars
      Gnocchi is a favorite around my home too! This recipe is a great mix of flavors that are sure to be gobbled right up!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        January 06, 2019 at 7:24 pm

        Gnocchi is such a favorite here too, and we love these flavors with them. Hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    7. Petra

      November 22, 2015 at 6:46 am

      Acorn squash gnocchi sounds great! And with pork and fennel! It looks like a brilliant and cost effective recipe for the family to tuck in to and just enjoy! Perfect for Fiesta Friday! 🙂

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        November 22, 2015 at 5:33 pm

        Thanks, Petra, it's already a big favorite here.

        Reply
    8. Caroline's Cooking

      November 19, 2015 at 8:32 pm

      Thanks Cindy they are!

      Reply
    9. Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm

      November 17, 2015 at 6:24 pm

      First you hooked me with fennel, then you reeled me in with acorn squash gnocchi. YUM

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        November 19, 2015 at 8:33 pm

        Thanks Wendy, it's delicious!

        Reply
    10. Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook

      November 15, 2015 at 10:02 pm

      Hey, if the kid will eat it! We've been having a lot of breakfast for dinner because that's all my little man will eat right now.
      I love gnocchi but rarely have it, I'll have to check out your favorites.

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        November 19, 2015 at 8:32 pm

        Feeding little ones can be interesting, but at least he has some great favorites like gnocchi. I'm sure breakfast isn't so bad either!

        Reply
    11. Renee@Renee's Kitchen Adventures

      November 15, 2015 at 9:49 pm

      I'm a huge fennel fan and I love gnocchi too! this looks so good to me!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        November 19, 2015 at 8:31 pm

        Thanks Renee, it is really tasty, hope you give it a try!

        Reply
    12. Liz

      November 15, 2015 at 2:50 pm

      Your son has excellent taste! I haven't made gnocchi in ages and it's always a hit here, too. Thanks for the inspiration!!

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        November 19, 2015 at 8:30 pm

        Thanks Liz, yes he does have some pretty good favorite foods, that's for sure!

        Reply
    13. Julie is Hostess At Heart

      November 15, 2015 at 11:09 am

      We love gnocchi, and it is great as a side or a main meal like you've done here. Love fennel and pork, and this is a great recipe.

      Reply
      • Caroline's Cooking

        November 19, 2015 at 8:28 pm

        Thanks Julie, it has quickly become a favorite way to enjoy gnocchi in our house!

        Reply

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