Western Cowboy Gnocchi–pillowy gnocchi, seasoned ground beef, chili beans, tomatoes and green chiles pressure cooked or slow cooked together, then finished off with bacon crumbles and melty cheddar.
Western Cowboy Gnocchi
This is sort of cowboy chili meets Italian food. You’re going to love all the flavors in this hearty meal. The pillowy gnocchi are like little dumplings of goodness. It makes great lunch leftovers the next day too. Sometimes I like to add a little dollop of sour cream to my bowl. If you’re a fan of heat you can spice this up by adding in some diced jalapenos and hot Rotel instead of the diced tomatoes and green chiles. Enjoy!
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Lean Ground Beef–or ground turkey
- Onion
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
- Smoked Paprika
- Cumin
- Chili Powder
- Beef Broth–or water and Better Than Bouillon beef base
- Gnocchi–find in the pasta aisle
- Chili Beans–or ranch style beans
- Petite Diced Tomatoes–or fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- Diced Green Chiles (I used mild)–or mild green salsa
- Bacon Crumbles–or cooked chopped bacon
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese–or Colby Jack, for topping
Steps
Turn Instant Pot to sauté setting. When display says HOT add in the ground beef and break it up. Add in the onion. Brown for 5 minutes. Drain off excess grease. Stir in the salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cumin and chili powder.
Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
Dump in the gnocchi, chili beans, tomatoes and green chiles.
Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 1 minute. When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes. Move valve to venting and remove the lid.
Stir in the bacon.
Scoop into bowls and top with some shredded cheddar, if desired.
Notes/Tips
- Serve with a green side salad.
- Will this trigger the burn notice? As long as you scrape the bottom well after adding the broth and don’t stir after adding the gnocchi, you’re good.
- Do I drain the chili beans? No, dump the entire contents of the can in. There is lots of flavor in that liquid.
- This can be dairy free if you don’t add the cheese on top.
- I used my 4 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 6 or 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Other recipes you can make with bacon crumbles are Loaded Overnight Breakfast Casserole and Instant Pot Smothered Chicken and Rice.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Western Cowboy Gnocchi
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
Pillowy gnocchi, seasoned ground beef, chili beans, tomatoes and green chiles pressure cooked or slow cooked together, then finished off with bacon crumbles and melty cheddar.
Ingredients
- 16 oz lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Pinch of smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 cup beef broth
- 16 oz gnocchi
- 1 (15.5 oz) can chili beans
- 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
- 4 oz diced green chiles
- 1/2 cup bacon crumbles
- Shredded cheddar, for topping
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Turn Instant Pot to sauté setting. When display says HOT add in the ground beef and break it up. Add in the onion. Brown for 5 minutes. Drain off excess grease. Stir in the salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cumin and chili powder.
- Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
- Dump in the gnocchi, chili beans, tomatoes and green chiles.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 1 minute. When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes. Move valve to venting and remove the lid.
- Stir in the bacon.
- Scoop into bowls and top with some shredded cheddar, if desired.
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Heat a pan over medium high heat. Add in the ground beef and break it up. Add in the onion. Brown for 5 minutes. Drain off excess grease. Stir in the salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cumin and chili powder. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Stir in the broth, gnocchi, chili beans, tomatoes and green chiles.
- Cover and cook on low for 2 hours.
- Stir in the bacon.
- Scoop into bowls and top with some shredded cheddar, if desired.
- Category: Beef
- Method: Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
More cowboy recipes…
Instant Pot Cowboy Stew
A hearty stew with smoked sausage, ground beef, bacon, corn and beans. You can make this in the Instant Pot or the slow cooker.
Instant Pot Cowboy Chicken Casserole
Chicken, beans, corn, cheddar and barbecue sauce with a hot piece of cornbread on top. A hearty and easy meal that your cowboys and cowgirls will love.
Instant Pot Cowboy Potatoes
Baked potatoes with a meat and bean topping and then finished off with sour cream, cheese and bacon.
Hungry Cowboy Chicken
Seasoned chicken tenderloins, pinto beans, bacon and corn all cooked together in a barbecue sauce. An easy dump and go recipe that you can cook in your Instant Pot, Crockpot or oven
Alaskan Cowboy Casserole
Easy Instant Pot roast with barbecue sauce and biscuits.
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
this is excellent! the gnocchi is a nice addition
Thanks for the 5 stars Erica!