3 Easy Gnocchi Recipes

Linguini, fettuccini, gnocchi, can you spot the type of pasta that is different? That’s right it’s gnocchi! Gnocchi is made out of potatoes and eggs compared to most kinds of pasta which are made out of wheat and flour. The best way to make this Italian dish is simple and it requires very few ingredients. It can get a little messy, but the results are definitely worth spending time in the kitchen. Let’s take a look at 3 different ways to make this delicious homemade gnocchi for yourself or your loved ones in just a few easy steps:

How To Make Traditional Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce

Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Gnocchi

➔ 1pound of potatoes (clean but not skinned)
➔ 1 cup of flour
➔ 1/2 teaspoon salt
➔ 1 medium egg

For the tomato sauce

➔ 2 tablespoons olive oil 
➔ 1/2 teaspoon salt
➔ 1-2 cloves large of garlic chopped
➔ 1 teaspoon oregano
➔ 1 teaspoon basil
➔ 1 can of tomato sauce
➔ 1/2 cup water

Method for gnocchi
Step 1: In a large pot boil the potatoes until they are soft. (Poke them with  a fork to test them) Remove potatoes from the water and let them cool. Once they are cool, peel them.
Step 2: Push potatoes through a potato ricer. Make sure there aren’t any lumps.
Step 3: Mix the flour and salt and place on a flat surface, make a hole in the middle and add the potatoes and egg, mix with your hands until the dough is soft and not sticking to your hands.
Step 4: On a different surface, sprinkle some flour, cut small amounts of dough to form a long piece of dough, and then cut into 3/4 inch (2 cm) pieces. (Or the size of your thumb.)
Step 5: Slide each piece on a fork and roll them down the fork to form a pattern in the dough.
Step 6: Let the gnocchi sit for 20 minutes before cooking
Step 7: While the gnocchi is resting, take a saucepan and add olive oil, tomatoes, salt, garlic, oregano, basil, and water, stir to combine the ingredients together. Cover the sauce and let it simmer until the sauce is thick.
Step 8: In a large pot add water and salt. Once the water is boiled, add the gnocchi to cook them. They’ll be ready when they are floating at the top.
Step 9: Drain the gnocchi in a strainer in the sink and then add them to the sauce. Add parmesan cheese for extra taste.

 
How to Make Gnocchi with Ricotta

We’ve already discussed how gnocchi is different from traditional pasta which is made of wheat. Did you know that you can make it with ricotta cheese? You didn’t? Well, keep reading to find out how!

Here’s what you’ll need:
➔ 2 lbs ricotta cheese
➔ 1 egg, plus 1 egg yolk
➔ 3 ½ ounces of flour
➔ 1 tbsp salt
➔ 1 tsp black pepper

Method
Step 1: Drain ricotta on paper towels.
Step 2: Add ricotta to a bowl, along with egg and egg yolk
Step 3: Add flour
Step 4: Combine and knead until you get a soft dough
Step 5:  On a flat surface, sprinkle some flour and place dough. Roll out the dough into long ropes.
Step 6: Cut the dough into small pieces (or the size of your thumb)
Step 7: You can create a lined pattern as mentioned above or place them directly in boiling water. Serve with tomato sauce.
 
How to Make Gnocchi with Pesto

Tired of the same old tomato sauce. Not to worry we’ve got you covered here too. Rather than a tomato sauce, why not make fresh homemade pesto?

Ingredients (serves 4):
➔ 40 g fresh basil leaves
➔ 1 clove of garlic
➔ 125 g grated Pecorino or Parmesan cheese
➔ 15 grams of pine nuts
➔ 300 ml olive oil
➔ 10 g salt

Method
Step 1: Place garlic and nuts in a food processor and pulse together
Step 2: Place basil in the food processor, and mix all together, until basil is chopped.
Step 4: Add olive oil and mix
Step 5: Add cheese
Step 6: Add salt for taste
Step 7: Add pesto to hot gnocchi and mix

There you have it! Fresh homemade gnocchi is made in 3 different ways. Hopefully, this has given you a few new ideas on how to transform your pasta-eating experience.