Gnocchi
KOENItalianMain course⏱ 50 minEdit history

Gnocchi

Italy's pillowy potato dumpling pasta, made from just boiled potato, flour, and egg. Boiled until soft and chewy, then tossed in tomato sauce or brown butter and sage for a simple yet lovely plate.

Ingredients

3servings
  • Potatoes · starchy, floury type500 g
  • Flour · all-purpose, adjust to dough150 g
  • Egg yolk1
  • Salt1 tsp
  • Nutmeg · a pinch, optional
  • Tomato sauce
  • Tomato sauce · or marinara1.5 cups
  • Garlic · minced2 cloves
  • Olive oil2 tbsp
  • Basil · to taste
  • Parmesan · to serve

Steps

  1. Boil or steam the potatoes whole until fully tender, then peel them while hot and mash until smooth.

    ⏲ 25 min
  2. Let the mash cool slightly, then add salt, nutmeg, and the egg yolk. Work in the flour a little at a time, just until it barely comes together — overworking makes it tough.

    ⏲ 5 min
  3. Roll the dough into long ropes, cut into 2cm pieces, and roll each over a fork to make ridges.

    ⏲ 10 min
  4. Boil a pot of salted water, drop in the gnocchi, and once they float, cook 30 seconds more and lift them out.

    ⏲ 3 min
  5. Fry the garlic in olive oil and warm the tomato sauce. Add the gnocchi and toss gently to coat.

    ⏲ 4 min
  6. Top with basil and Parmesan and serve.

    ⏲ 1 min

Tips & Variations

Variations

  • Gnocchi alla sorrentina: Topped with tomato and mozzarella, baked.
  • Brown butter & sage: Melt butter until nutty and add sage.
  • Gorgonzola cream: Toss in a melted gorgonzola cream sauce.
  • Ricotta gnocchi: Use ricotta instead of potato for a lighter version.

Tips

  • Use starchy (floury) potatoes and keep them dry so the dough isn't wet.
  • Add the least flour possible — less means softer, chewier gnocchi.
  • Bring the dough together gently; don't knead it long.
  • Scoop the gnocchi out as soon as they float so they don't turn mushy.
  • Freeze extras spread on a tray, then boil them straight from frozen.

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