Your holiday leftovers never tasted so good! Our easy creamy Cajun Turkey Gnocchi is a 20-minute, one-skillet dinner that’s so full of flavor.
We love our Turkey Pot Pie and Turkey Tikka Masala, but this one’s so easy it might be our new favorite.
Why We Love It
You’re going to adore this Cajun Turkey and Gnocchi Skillet recipe for so many reasons!
Firstly, it’s a true one skillet meal, making both cooking and cleanup a breeze. Imagine enjoying a delicious dinner without the hassle of washing a pile of pots and pans.
It has bold and robust flavors. The Cajun or Creole seasoning, combined with the tomato paste and heavy cream, makes a tasty profile that is both comforting and exciting.
Then there’s the versatility of ingredients. This recipe is fantastic for using up leftover turkey, making it a great choice after holiday meals. But you can also swap up the ingredients to customize the dish.
Ingredient Notes
For a complete list, along with exact measurements, see the recipe card at the end of the post. Here are the main things you’re going to need to make leftover turkey gnocchi:
- Cooked Turkey: A great way to use leftover turkey. If you don’t have turkey, rotisserie chicken is a perfect substitute.
- Veggies and Aromatics: Mushrooms, red bell pepper, garlic, and spinach.
- Cajun or Creole Seasoning: We are basing this recipe off of our homemade Creole Seasoning. If using store bought, look for a brand with lower sodium content.
- Tomato Paste: It adds a nice tang to the sauce.
- Chicken Broth: This forms the base of the sauce. We recommend low sodium broth for better control, especially if using store bought Cajun or Creole seasoning.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: For creaminess. For a lighter version, you could use half-and-half.
- Gnocchi: These Italian dumplings absorb the flavors of the sauce beautifully. Make sure they are cooked just until tender, as they can become gummy if overcooked.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan is always best.
How to Make Creamy Cajun Turkey Gnocchi
Sauté Veggies: Quickly sauté the peppers and mushrooms until they soften up a bit.
Add Flavor: Toss in the garlic, Cajun seasoning, and turkey. Stir and cook for a minute or two.
Build the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, tomato paste, and heavy cream. Bring it to a simmer and let it bubble for about 5 minutes.
Gnocchi Time: Drop in the gnocchi and let them simmer away until they’re tender, which will take about 5 minutes.
Finishing Touches: Stir in the parmesan cheese and spinach. Cook until the cheese melts and the spinach wilts.
Taste Test: Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve it up hot and enjoy!
Variations
- Play with Veggies: You could easily add in different vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or carrots.
- Different Flavors: Instead of Cajun, follow the same recipe with different seasonings. How about Tuscan style? Use sundried tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Sounds good to me!
- Swap the Starch: Instead of gnocchi, use a short pasta shape like bowties, penne, or even orzo.
- Make it a Bake: After everything is finished, top with shredded mozzarella cheese and stick it under the broiler for a few minutes. Just be sure to use an oven-safe skillet.
Leftovers and Storage
If you have any leftovers, they can be refrigerated in an airtight container. Note that the storage time will vary depending on the freshness of the turkey. Plan to consume it within 5 days of when the turkey was first cooked. If it was frozen, take into account how many days it was refrigerated before freezing.
Reheat the leftovers on stovetop over medium heat. The gnocchi may have absorbed some of the liquid, so you may need to add a little water when reheating.
Helpful Tips
- Prep Ahead: Chop your vegetables and measure out your seasonings ahead of time. Having everything ready to go makes the cooking process smoother.
- Control the Heat: Cajun and Creole seasonings can vary in spiciness. Start with a smaller amount and adjust as you go.
- Cooking Gnocchi: Be careful not to overcook the gnocchi. They should be tender but not mushy. They will continue to soften as they absorb the sauce.
- Serving Suggestions: This dish is hearty and flavorful on its own, but you can serve it with a side of crusty bread or a simple green salad.
Give your leftover turkey a delicious makeover with this easy creamy Cajun gnocchi. It just might become a new holiday tradition.
For more delicious meals, check out our hand-picked collection of Dinner Ideas for Tonight. Until next time, happy cooking!
Cajun Turkey Gnocchi, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
More Great Holiday Leftover Recipes:
Ham Bone Soup
Turkey Nachos
Lancashire Hotpot
White Turkey Chili
Ham Casserole
Cajun Turkey Gnocchi
Give that leftover holiday turkey (or roast chicken) new life wit this easy creamy Cajun Turkey Gnocchi. Start to finish in only 20 minutes!
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 6oz mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 3 Tbsp Cajun or Creole seasoning
- 2 cups cooked turkey, diced
- 3 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 16oz dried gnocchi
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and bell pepper, sauté until they begin to soften and the mushrooms begin to release their juices.
- Add garlic, Cajun or Creole seasoning, and turkey. Mix well and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in chicken broth, tomato paste, and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add gnocchi. Simmer until gnocchi is tender, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in parmesan cheese and spinach. Cook until cheese has melted and spinach begins to wilt.
- Taste and adjust for seasonings. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 472Total Fat 25gSaturated Fat 12gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 122mgSodium 1982mgCarbohydrates 39gFiber 3gSugar 4gProtein 23g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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