How to Make Homemade Italian Potato Gnocchi Recipe
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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. Who says that gnocchi recipes have to be difficult? This recipe proves that making fresh gnocchi only takes a couple of minutes to do!
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!
I love this recipe because it’s super similar to authentic Italian gnocchi, and tastes like the real deal.
The steps on the recipe card below break it down easily – which gives you the end result of the best homemade potato gnocchi, ever.
Simple ingredients prove that this easy gnocchi recipe is one of the best!
Italian Gnocchi Recipe
This Italian gnocchi recipe makes enough to feed the whole family and even have some leftovers! If you’re craving Italian cuisine, this is what’s for dinner tonight!
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
Which potatoes are best for making homemade gnocchi?
Dry, starchy varieties like Russet potatoes 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.
While there might not be the “best potatoes” per se for this recipe, I do recommend the two variations listed above. While you can make the tender potato gnocchi with any kind of potatoes, I stick to the ones that I’m familiar with.
Why did my gnocchi fall apart?
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.
How do I store homemade gnocchi?
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 or freezer bag.
Then, simply drop the frozen pasta gnocchi into a pot of boiling water for an easy meal! Use a slotted spoon to scoop them out, and enjoy the flavor and taste!
What do Italians eat gnocchi with?
Most will enjoy fluffy gnocchi with a simple tomato sauce. This great recipe can actually be served in a lot of different ways, Using simple butter and salt with the pillowy gnocchi is an easy way to allow the flavors of this homemade pasta to come through easily.
Cream sauce is also popular with this gnocchi dish as well.
Do you eat gnocchi hot or cold?
Most people will eat them at room temperature or when they are cold. I actually like them while they are warm, so to each their own.
The small dumplings are delicious in various temperatures in that they can be eaten and enjoyed, so that also helps them be versatile. When I’m eating them warm, I enjoy them with fresh parmesan cheese.
If you want to enjoy the tender gnocchi cold, cook them in a large pot of water and then let them cool. You can add them to salads or toss them in a light dressing that way. These little dumplings can be a great addition to other main entrees.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Easy Italian Recipes
How to Make Homemade Italian Potato 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 2024
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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!