How to make gnocchi pasta from scratch
How to make potato gnocchi from scratch with no experience.
If there was one single kind of pasta I crave more than any other, it has to be the humble Gnocchi.
Not only does it taste like little heavenly pillow of pure flavoursome goodness, but it’s super quick to make. It takes what, 2-3 minutes in boiling water? You can make the most delicious gnocchi dish ever in as little as 5 minutes and that right there, is music to my ears.
Furthermore is the ease. If you’re unfamiliar with gnocchi or have never cooked it before, let me explain so you can understand the ease of this.
You take a pan of boiling water, drop in your gnocchi which will instantly sink to the bottom, then when it floats, it’s cooked.
None of this '“will you taste this for me, does this taste cooked? is it al dente? or over done?”
Nope. Just, is it floating? yes, then it’s cooked. No, then it’s not. And the whole process takes about 2 minutes.
Why make your own gnocchi
With the big plus of Gnocchi being the ease of it, you may be wondering why you would want to complicate the process by making your own.
Well let me explain, the only issue with gnocchi is that in terms of pasta, it’s on the pricier side. Not to say its expensive, it’s still really cheap. But it is noticeably more expensive then other types of pasta. Especially when you consider you only get a tiny bit.
And yet, despite the general thought that it would be difficult to make, it’s actually really easy. You can make Gnocchi from potatoes, yes potatoes. That’s what it basically is, mashed potato pasta.
So if you’ve ever made mashed potatoes this will be a breeze.
Remembering lockdown
Whilst we’re on the subject of pasta does anyone else remember during lockdown when pasta and flour was sold out everywhere? That’s a problem you wouldn’t have if you new how to make gnocchi. Afterall, potatoes where still very much available.
So what is gnocchi?
Gnocchi pasta, is a Italian pasta commonly made from potatoes, eggs, and flour. That’s it, really. It’s a light, pillowy textured pasta which is highly versatile.
You can make it without eggs if you’re vegan. You can make it with gluten free flour if you wish. The list goes on…
The beauty of gnocchi is:
Easy to get ingredients: Its a 2 ingredient pasta. 3 if you opt for an egg. Sure, you’ll want a pasta sauce to go with it, but you can whip up a sauce out of just about anything, depending on how creative you’re feeling.
Prep: Even though the process is easy and you can get away without having any pasta making equipment. It does tend to take a little while. Making the dough and rolling out each piece individually. However, once you have made it, you can freeze it. Which works great for stay at home mummy’s and daddy’s.
You can have your kids help you make the pasta, have a food-tech day. They’ll have fun making it, you’ll have fun making it with them. It will get them excited about good food which is always a plus.
Once you’re done and you’ve made a large batch, spread it out on a baking sheet, stick it in the freezer for an hour or two (This will stop the gnocchi sticking together). Then stick it all in a bag and back in the freezer it goes.
Gnocchi pasta is easily cooked. It takes less then 5 minutes to cook from frozen. So once you've had that one day of prep, you’re set for all your future 5 minute meals (till you run out that is).
Above is a “how to cook gnocchi pasta easily at home” video to follow along with if you prefer.
As you will see in the video, I don't have any professional pasta making equipment and it’s all done at home with stuff I had around the house.
Helpful equipment for making Gnocchi at home
For this recipe you will need potato ricer. You can pick up one cheap enough on amazon if you don’t have one, something like this for £7.99 would work perfectly. Or if you really want to tech out, this electric masher would be awesome.
It also helps if you have a Gnocchi board. This is a board which is used to roll the gnocchi and give each piece texture. In the video, you can see I use a folk which does the same job but takes a little longer. If you don’t want to spend all your time rolling Gnocchi over a folk, check out this £14.99 gnocchi board paddle of amazon.
Homemade Potato Gnocchi
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place your potatoes in a large pot of boiling water. Leave the skin on. Once you have a rolling boil, simmer till the potatoes soften. You will know when they are ready because you’ll be able to slip a fork easily into the potatoes. For me this took around 20 minutes, but it may vary for yourself.
- Peel and mash the potatoes using a potato ricer. If you do not have a potato ricer, use the back of a folk. Season the mashed potatoes with salt and pepper. Nutmeg also works really well if you have any on hand.
- Make a well in the middle of the mashed potatoes and add the egg, use a folk to start mixing the egg into the mash. Add the flour and mix together. Depending on your potatoes you may have to add more or less flour. Don't just add the whole 200 grams in one go. Start slowly and add as needed till you get a dough consistency.
- Knead the dough on a flour dusted surface until pliable. Cut into 4 equal sections, then roll each section into 3 cm thick sausages.
- Cut the “sausages” into 1 cm long pillows then roll out each pillow. Now you have your gnocchi. To give it that fancy gnocchi pasta look, roll each piece over the back of a folk to indent swirls into the gnocchi. If this is a bit time consuming for you, you could always just push your thumb into each piece to give it some quick texture. Texture not just looks good but helps sauce and seasonings stick to the gnocchi when using in a recipe.
- To cook your gnocchi, add in batches to a pan of boiling water. Once the gnocchi floats to the top of the water, it's cooked. This should only take between 2-5 minutes.
Notes
This recipe will provide you with enough Gnocchi for 4 meals. Once you've perfected your gnocchi and do feel free to get creative with the seasonings you can make as much of this as you can fit in your freezer.
In the freezer, this gnocchi should last indefinitely.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
395.07Fat
1.81Sat. Fat
0.5Carbs
83.03Fiber
7.24Net carbs
75.78Sugar
2.9Protein
11.79Sodium
80.81Cholesterol
40.92The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
Now you have your gnocchi, it’s time to get to enjoying it. Try out my summer gnocchi pasta salad for a healthy meal where you gnocchi can shine through. I also have a delicious recipe for grilled cheesy gnocchi with leaks and mustard by Joe Wicks that I recommend checking out here.
If they don’t scream delicious, try out this below recipe for a garlic butter and parsley serving…
Garlic butter and parsley gnocchi recipe
Ingredients
Your homemade gnocchi pasta
50 grams Butter
2 cloves Garlic
Half a small Onion
Method
Add 1 tbsp of oil to a frying pan or wok. Once heated, add the chopped onion and saute for 1 minute.
Dice the garlic and add to the pan along with half of the butter.
Once the butter has melted add your gnocchi (as many as you like) and fry for 2 minutes.
Toss in 1tbsp of dried or fresh parsley and grated cheese to taste. Parmesan works great, as does a mature cheddar.
Add the rest of the butter and toss until butter and cheese has melted then you’re ready to plate up!
Smartblend is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.co.uk and amazon.com. Smartblend does earn a small commission on goods purchased through the included links. Don't worry, it doesn't cost you any more, but we do appreciate your referral!
Search Recipes
Healthy, Quick, Snacks & Sides, Desserts, Seafood, Vegetarian, Budget Friendly
All Recipes
Hi, I’m Cameron, guv’nor of Smartblend. If you liked this then you’re in luck, I have a bunch more related articles for you below. Oh, and don’t forget to sign up below to receive the Smartblend monthly newsletter! Thank you and happy eating!
Related Recipes
Super easy, basic, and creamy tomato risotto recipe made with garden fresh, homegrown beefsteak tomatoes, basil and parmesan cheese.