Italian Gnocchi Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This homemade Italian gnocchi recipe is a lot simpler than you may think! Roll out fresh dough, cut it, boil it, and toss it with butter and herbs.
There’s nothing like a bowl of warm, delicious comfort food, like this pasta gnocchi. Plus, when you make it yourself, it tastes so much better!
Italian Gnocchi Recipe
This Italian gnocchi recipe makes enough to feed the whole family and even have some leftovers!
You can also freeze a batch of homemade gnocchi to add it to this soup recipe.
Craving more Italian? You’ll love this easy lasagna soup or a simple Cacio e Pepe made with only five ingredients.
You can also test your skills with some of my other homemade recipes. Make a fun night out of creating your own meal from scratch!
Italian Gnocchi Recipe – Tips and Tricks
- Use plenty of salt. Salt your water before each round of potato gnocchi cooking, as well as the dough itself. This adds the necessary seasoning to the dish.
- Incorporate ricotta into your dough. This is optional and doesn’t change the taste of the final product, but it allows it to roll out much more smoother.
It also makes it easier to cut and shape the pasta gnocchi. Just a big spoonful should be enough. - Adjust the amount of flour. As you make this Italian gnocchi recipe more and more, you will learn exactly how the dough is supposed to feel.
Too much flour will result in a more pasta-y dough, so use just enough to get a more pillowy texture. - Freeze or cook right away. If the potato gnocchi dough sits out for too long, it will begin to discolor and turn grey.
This does not affect the flavor, but it doesn’t look very appetizing.
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- 4 Quart Stock Pot – Great for soups, roasts, frying, and more! This is a staple in my kitchen.
- Vegetable Peeler – Makes removing the skins so much easier.
- Ricer – This creates a completely smooth mash compared to a standard potato masher. Makes a world of a difference in this potato gnocchi recipe!
- Baking Sheets lined with parchment paper – Used for anything from cookies to roasting, a good baking pan will last for years.
Pasta Gnocchi FAQs
Dry, starchy varieties like Russets tend to work best. They don’t add too much moisture, which means less flour and a lighter, fluffier texture.
If you prefer a silkier texture, try Yukon Gold instead. These add a hint of nutty flavor as well.
Your pasta gnocchi may have been boiled for too long, causing them to soften and fall apart.
Or, your dough mixture wasn’t fully blended together. Be sure to knead it really well, so everything is well incorporated.
If they’re cooked, place them in an airtight container with a little bit of olive oil, so they don’t stick together. They can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
If they are uncooked, you can store them in your freezer for up to 1 month. Flash freeze them in a single layer overnight, then transfer them to an airtight container.
Then, simply drop the frozen pasta gnocchi into a pot of boiling water for an easy meal!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Other Italian Recipe Links
Italian Gnocchi Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Russet potatoes, about 2 medium
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for salting water
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/8 cup whole milk ricotta
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
Instructions
- Peel two pounds of potatoes and cut in half. Bring to a boil in a pot of salted water and cook until softened all the way through when pricked with a fork.
- Drain potatoes and allow to cool until you are able to handle.
- Squeeze the cooked potato chunks through a ricer to make completely smooth potato mash.
- Mound the potatoes and form a deep well in the center.
- Whisk together egg, ricotta, and salt in a small bowl and then pour into the well in the potatoes.
- Use your hands to mix the potato and egg mixture together until combined.
- Scoop up the potato mixture and dump 1 cup of flour onto the work surface. Place the potato mixture on top of the flour.
- Use your hands again to work the flour into the potatoes, just enough to form a smooth and soft dough. The mixture should be soft and not overly sticky. Work the dough just enough that it is not longer sticky and feels just a bit pliable.
- Shape the dough into a ball and cut into 8 equal pieces.
- On a floured surface, roll out each piece of dough into a rope until it is about the thickness of your finger.
- Cut the rope into even pieces about ¾” wide.
- Press a fork against each piece to indent and wrap the piece of dough in half, fork indents on the outside, to form the gnocchi.
- Continue rolling, cutting, and shaping the gnocchi for all the pieces.
- Spread gnocchi in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet and place in the freezer or cook immediately in a pot of salted, boiling water.
- Cook gnocchi a handful at a time. They will float to the top of the water when they are done cooking (about 2-3 minutes). Lift from the boiling water to drain.
- Toss cooked gnocchi with butter, salt, and chopped herbs.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published November 2021, updated and republished January 2023
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for your support; it allows us to keep creating new recipes.
Gnocchi is so good, but the pre-made stuff always has a slightly weird taste to it. Maybe from preservatives, but now when I make Gnocchi soup I opt for this recipe and make them by hand!