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Cloud-Like Italian Potato Gnocchi Recipe From Scratch
Whip up irresistibly pillowy homemade gnocchi with this authentic Italian recipe that transforms simple potatoes into something extraordinary.
Why You’ll Love these Homemade Italian Potato Gnocchi
When you sink your teeth into these pillowy soft potato gnocchi, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making them from scratch all along. I’m obsessed with how these little dumplings transform basic mashed potatoes into something magical with just a few pantry staples.
What I adore most is their versatility—dress them simply with brown butter and sage, or toss them in your favorite marinara. The satisfying ritual of rolling each piece across a fork, creating those signature ridges that capture sauce perfectly, feels almost meditative. And unlike their store-bought cousins, these have no preservatives or mystery ingredients!
What Ingredients are in Homemade Italian Potato Gnocchi?
Creating homemade gnocchi is surprisingly simple, requiring just a handful of everyday ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and refrigerator. The beauty of this traditional Italian dumpling lies in its humble components—mostly potatoes and flour—transformed through a bit of kneading and rolling into something truly special.
The ingredients work together to create that perfect balance of softness and structure that defines a proper gnocchi.
- 2 cups cold mashed potatoes
- 1 to 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion salt
The quality of your potatoes matters tremendously in this recipe. I prefer using starchy varieties like Russets for the fluffiest results, and making sure they’re completely cold prevents the dough from becoming too sticky.
You might need to adjust the flour amount depending on how moist your mashed potatoes are—start with less and add more as needed until you achieve a soft but workable dough. The seasonings can also be customized to your taste preferences; some traditional recipes might skip the Italian seasoning and garlic powder for a more neutral canvas that lets your sauce shine.
How to Make these Homemade Italian Potato Gnocchi
Making gnocchi from scratch is surprisingly simple, and the results are so much better than store-bought. Start by combining 2 cups of cold mashed potatoes with 1 to 1½ cups of flour in a large bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil for richness, and season with 1 teaspoon each of salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion salt.
Mix everything together until you have a soft, pliable dough that holds together but isn’t too sticky. The key here isn’t to overwork it—tough gnocchi is nobody’s friend.
Once your dough is ready, turn it out onto a well-floured surface and knead it about 20 times. This isn’t like bread where you’re developing gluten; we’re just making sure everything is incorporated.
Divide the dough into four equal portions and roll each one into a rope about 12 inches long. Think of it as making play-dough snakes, but ones you actually want to eat. Cut each rope into half-inch pieces, then create those classic gnocchi ridges by rolling each piece across the tines of a fork. Those little grooves? They’re not just for looks—they help sauce cling to each delicious bite.
The final step is cooking these little potato pillows. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil, then gently drop in your gnocchi. Don’t crowd the pot; work in batches if needed.
For perfectly cooked rice to serve alongside your gnocchi, consider investing in a premium rice cooker that delivers consistent results every time.
The beauty of gnocchi is that they tell you when they’re done—they float to the surface when ready, usually in just a minute or two. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the floating gnocchi to a colander to drain.
And there you have it—homemade Italian potato gnocchi ready for your favorite sauce. Might I suggest a simple brown butter and sage, or perhaps a classic marinara? Either way, these tender, flavorful dumplings will make you wonder why you ever bought the packaged kind.
Homemade Italian Potato Gnocchi Substitutions and Variations
While traditional potato gnocchi holds a special place in Italian cuisine, there’s plenty of room to play with the basic recipe to suit your dietary needs or flavor preferences.
For gluten-free options, I recommend substituting regular flour with rice flour or a gluten-free blend. You can also experiment with sweet potatoes for a slightly sweeter, more nutritious twist.
Herb lovers might enjoy adding chopped basil, rosemary, or even spinach to the dough for vibrant color and flavor. Ricotta can replace some potato for a lighter, fluffier texture—perfect for those days when you’re craving something delicate but still comforting!
What to Serve with Homemade Italian Potato Gnocchi
When those pillowy potato dumplings are floating to the surface of your boiling water, what’s going to accompany them on the plate?
I’m partial to classic pairings that let the gnocchi’s delicate texture shine.
A simple brown butter sage sauce – just butter sizzled until nutty with crispy sage leaves – creates magic with minimal effort.
For something heartier, try a robust bolognese or creamy mushroom sauce that clings to those little fork ridges we’ve so carefully crafted.
Don’t forget a shower of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano on top!
Green sides like roasted asparagus or a peppery arugula salad provide the perfect counterpoint to all that comforting starch.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve made it this far in your gnocchi journey, you’ve opened one of Italian cuisine’s most treasured comfort foods.
There’s something magical about transforming humble potatoes into pillowy clouds that dance in your mouth with each bite.
I’m confident that with a little practice, you’ll master the perfect consistency—that sweet spot where the dough is pliable but not sticky.
Remember, the best gnocchi comes from feeling the dough rather than following rigid measurements. Trust your instincts.
Whether dressed simply with brown butter and sage or swimming in a robust tomato sauce, homemade gnocchi elevates any dinner into a celebration.
