Gnocchi

Gnocchi are small, tender dumplings central to Italian cuisine, traditionally made with potatoes, flour, and egg. The recipe has regional variations: in Northern Italy, potato gnocchi are common, while in other areas versions with semolina, ricotta, or even pumpkin appear, reflecting local ingredients and culinary heritage.

The technique involves ricing boiled potatoes, gently incorporating flour and egg, then rolling the dough into ropes cut into bite-sized pieces. A fork or gnocchi board creates ridges to hold sauce. Briefly boiled until they float, gnocchi embody Italy’s artisanal approach to transforming simple staples into refined, versatile preparations.

Prep Time: 30 min

Cook Time: 5 min

Total Time: 35 min

Yield: 6 servings

A sheet pan covered with fresh gnocchi.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb. (2 large) russet potatoes
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 tsp. salt

Instructions

  1. 1.
    Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. 2.
    Pierce each potato with a fork about 10-12 times.
  3. 3.
    Cover the bottom of a small sheet pan with coarse salt.
  4. 4.
    Place the potatoes on the sheet pan and sprinkle all over with more coarse salt.
  5. 5.
    Bake the potatoes for about an hour or until they are tender enough to be stabbed through with a paring knife.
  6. 6.
    Cut potatoes in half and remove the skins. Use a towel if the potatoes are still too hot.
  7. 7.
    Pass the potatoes through a potato ricer onto a large cutting board.
  8. 8.
    Spread out the riced potatoes and cover with most of the flour.
  9. 9.
    Make a small volcano in the middle of the potatoes and add the eggs.
  10. 10.
    Using a bench scraper, combine and fold into a dough.
  11. 11.
    Knead the dough gently until the dough firms up (about 90 seconds).
  12. 12.
    Let the dough rest for about 10 minutes, then quarter the ball of dough.
  13. 13.
    Roll out the dough into a ¾-inch snake and cut into ¾-inch long pieces.
  14. 14.
    Roll each piece into a ball, then press and roll gently on the gnocchi board or the back of a fork to shape.
  15. 15.
    Place each finished piece onto a floured sheet pan and sprinkle flour over the pan when full.
  16. 16.
    Place the sheet pan in the freezer for about an hour until firm, then portion out the gnocchi to eat or freeze.