This Potato gnocchi recipe is a traditional Italian dish that consists of small, soft dumplings made from potatoes.

Gnocchi can be served as a main course or as a side dish and is popular in various regions of Italy.

The origin of this dish can be traced back to ancient Roman times. The word “gnocchi” is believed to come from the Italian word “nocchio,” which means a knot in wood or a gnarl.

Usually, potato gnocchi is made using a few basic ingredients, including potatoes, flour, and eggs.

The type of potato used can affect the texture of the gnocchi, with starchy potatoes like russets, red potatoes, or Yukon Gold being preferred. The flour helps bind the dough together, and eggs can be added to enhance the richness and flavor.

How to Prepare Potato Gnocchi?

To make potato gnocchi, the potatoes are first boiled until tender, then peeled and mashed or passed through a grater to achieve a smooth and proper consistency.

The mashed potatoes are combined with flour and sometimes eggs, forming a dough. Simply shape the dough into a ball, you can use cooking gloves if you want to.

I personally like to leave the dough for 20 minutes to rest in a fridge covering it with a small kitchen towel.

After, you can start shaping the potato gnocchi. You can use a special gnocchi board or if you don’t have it, you can use a fork.

Also, you may leave them like they are without pressing on the board or a fork. The gnocchi are briefly cooked in boiling water until they float to the surface, indicating they are done. It usually takes around 3-4 minutes.

Are There Any Variations For Potato Gnocchi?

While potato gnocchi is the most well-known variety, there are other types of gnocchi made with different ingredients.

For instance, ricotta gnocchi is made with ricotta cheese instead of potatoes, resulting in a lighter and more delicate texture.

There are also variations that incorporate spinach or pumpkin into the dough, adding flavor and vibrant colors.

I also tried gnocchi with beetroot, it was kind of fun to have them in pink.

What Kind of Sauces to Serve with Gnocchi?

Usually, you can serve potato gnocchi with a wide range of sauces and accompaniments.

There are some classic options such as tomato-based sauces, for example, marinara or Bolognese; creamy sauces like Alfredo or mushroom sauce, or simple butter and sage. Gnocchi can also be baked with cheese and vegetables.

Also, you can even make a meat ragu for potato gnocchi.

Typically meat ragu consists of delicious and very small and “fatty” pieces of beef/lamb which are cooked with a big portion of diced carrots, onions, and bay leaves on a slow heat. The meat will give a lot of juice to the ragu and you will get a perfect meat sauce.

In this recipe, I used my grandma’s classic mushroom sauce. It appears, that mushrooms cooked with heavy cream give so much flavor to gnocchi and the taste is absolutely divine.

What Are Serving Suggestions?

Potato gnocchi is often enjoyed on its own as a main course. You can serve Garlic Tomato Salad.

Recipe Tips & Tricks:

• Use starchy potatoes, as they yield a fluffier texture.
• Be careful not to overmix the dough, as excessive kneading can lead to tough gnocchi.
• Only add enough flour to bring the dough together; adding too much can result in heavy gnocchi.
• Cook the gnocchi in small batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pot, as they can stick together.

What To Serve After Potato Gnocchi?

You can serve this delicious Salmon Carpaccio or Ahi Tuna Salad for an appetizer.