Shepherd's Pie Gnocchi

Name: Shepherd's Pie Gnocchi with Ground Lamb
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1 lb potato gnocchi; 1 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion; 3 cloves garlic; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp fresh thyme; 1 tsp fresh rosemary; 1 lb ground lamb; 1 tsp paprika; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp salt; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 cup beef broth; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 1 cup frozen peas; 1 medium carrot; 1/4 cup fresh parsley; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tbsp heavy cream; Chopped chives, for garnish; Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Shepherd's Pie Gnocchi is a creative one-pan twist on the classic British dish that replaces the traditional mashed potato topping with soft, pillowy potato gnocchi. The ground lamb filling is seasoned with fresh thyme and rosemary and cooks in a rich, savory sauce in just 30 minutes.

🌍British 🏷️Shepherd's pie 🏷️Gnocchi 🏷️Ground lamb 🏷️Comfort food 30-minute meal

🏷️

🏷️Weeknight dinner

-0:00

moribyanonTikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$38–$63

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by moribyan

-0:00

moribyanonTikTok

Ingredients

1 lb potato gnocchi
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion
3 cloves garlic
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp fresh thyme
1 tsp fresh rosemary
1 lb ground lamb
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 cup beef broth
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 cup frozen peas
1 medium carrot
1/4 cup fresh parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp heavy cream
Chopped chives, for garnishoptional
Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnishoptional

22 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil for the gnocchi.
2
In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium-high heat.
3
Add the diced onion and sauté until deeply golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
4
Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5
Add the fresh thyme and rosemary and cook for another 30 seconds.
6
Add the ground lamb to the skillet. Use a spoon to break it apart and cook until fully browned.
7
Season the lamb with paprika, salt, and black pepper.
8
Pour in the Worcestershire sauce to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
9
In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth and cornstarch until smooth. Pour the mixture into the skillet.
10
Add the frozen peas and diced carrots to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and let the sauce thicken slightly.
11
Stir in the chopped parsley, Parmesan cheese, and a splash of heavy cream.
12
Cook the gnocchi in the boiling water according to package directions, typically until they float (about 2-3 minutes).
13
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked gnocchi directly into the skillet with the lamb sauce.
14
Gently toss everything together to coat the gnocchi in the sauce.
15
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and chopped chives if desired.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground lamb fully before adding aromatics—this develops deep flavor and prevents a gray, steamed texture.
Don't skip browning the onion and garlic in butter and oil; this 3-minute step builds the flavor foundation.
Add gnocchi in the final 5–10 minutes so they stay tender and pillowy rather than mushy.
Taste and adjust seasoning before serving—paprika adds warmth, but you may need salt and pepper depending on your broth.

Substitutions

Ground lamb → ground beef or ground pork (cooking time and final flavor will differ slightly)
Fresh thyme and rosemary → 1 tsp dried herbes de Provence or Italian seasoning blend
Potato gnocchi → ricotta gnocchi (lighter texture, cook time may differ)
Butter → ghee (richer flavor, use 1 tbsp total fat)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of water to restore sauce consistency.

Common Questions

Can I use beef instead of lamb?

Yes. Ground beef works as a direct swap for ground lamb; adjust cooking time slightly if needed and taste for seasoning, as beef may require additional herbs.

Do I need to cook the gnocchi first?

It depends on your recipe method. Typically, gnocchi can be added raw to the lamb mixture and will cook in the sauce, or cooked separately and layered on top for a crisped finish.