Description
This Homemade Gnocchi recipe guides you through creating tender, pillowy potato dumplings from scratch using russet potatoes, ricotta, Parmesan, and all-purpose flour. Baked potatoes are mashed and combined with rich dairy and egg to form the dough, which is shaped into ropes, cut into bite-sized pieces, and boiled until perfectly tender. Simple yet elegant, these gnocchi make a delightful base for your favorite sauces.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 2 medium russet potatoes
Dough
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- Kosher salt, to taste (approx. 3/4 teaspoon)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste (approx. 1/4 teaspoon)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Bake potatoes: Pierce each russet potato several times with a fork, place them on the baking sheet, and bake in the preheated oven until tender, about 1 hour. Allow the potatoes to cool completely before handling.
- Mash potatoes: Cut the cooled potatoes in half, scoop the flesh into a medium bowl, and mash until smooth. Transfer approximately 1 1/2 cups of the mashed potato to a large mixing bowl.
- Make the dough: To the mashed potatoes, add the all-purpose flour, whole milk ricotta, grated Parmesan, egg, kosher salt, and pepper. Mix gently until a cohesive dough forms, being careful not to overwork it.
- Shape the gnocchi: On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough into six equal portions. Roll each piece into an 18-inch-long rope about 1 inch in diameter, sprinkling with flour as needed to prevent sticking.
- Cut and arrange: Using a sharp knife, cut each rope into 3/4-inch bite-sized pieces. Transfer the gnocchi pieces to a baking sheet while you prepare to cook.
- Cook the gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the gnocchi in batches, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until they float to the surface and are tender, about 2-3 minutes.
- Drain and rest: Use a slotted spoon to remove the cooked gnocchi, drain well, and transfer to a clean rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with remaining batches.
Notes
- Make sure potatoes are fully cooled before mashing to avoid excess moisture in the dough.
- Handle the dough gently to keep gnocchi light and tender; overworking will make them dense.
- If dough is sticky, dust with additional flour, but avoid adding too much to keep softness.
- Freshly grated Parmesan adds flavor and texture; pre-grated cheese may not yield the same result.
- Serve gnocchi with your favorite sauce right after boiling for best texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Baking and Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian