This is the best gnocchi recipe and also the easiest! Some potatoes, flour, and an egg and you have an amazing and fancy-sounding meal on your hands. There are so many ways to make gnocchi these days, with cauliflower, sweet potato, and so many other ideas. I prefer to go back to basics with a regular potato gnocchi recipe. This recipe in particular is so light and airy, so simple and easy, and absolutely a fun recipe to get your hands dirty with. Let the kids in to help and gather around for a filling and delicious homemade gnocchi meal.
This easy homemade potato gnocchi recipe will be a family favorite for you! Its so simple to make right at home in your own kitchen and is so fluffy and delicious.
The Best Potatoes for Gnocchi Russets will do, but Yukon Golds have more of the nutty flavor of the yellow-fleshed boiling potatoes used by the Italian and Provençal cooks who have mastered gnocchi.
How do you make Gnocchi from Scratch?
Ideally a ricer is used to get the potatoes nice and finely mashed into the homemade gnocchi dough. However, I didnt actually use one for this recipe and it turned out wonderfully still.
Peel and cut 4-5 red or golden potatoes in half. If you have some larger ones, you probably only need 2-3. Place them in boiling water to cook until nice and tender. Make sure the water is boiling already when you put them in. Placing potatoes into water and then bringing it to a boil makes the potatoes absorb way too much water and destroys a lot of the rich flavor that is especially important in gnocchi.
Get these potatoes really nice and tender so they are easy to mash into dough. Generally, Ill take a fork and if it goes through the potato easily and splits it, thats when I know theyre good to go.
After youve taken the potatoes out of the boiling water, rinse them in cold water and let them cool for a bit.
The Best Potatoes for Gnocchi
Potatoes are a classic choice for basic delicious gnocchi. We used our favorite, red skinned potatoes. I love the flavor of these potatoes, especially over russet potatoes. If you dont have red potatoes, golden potatoes have an amazing buttery flavor that works so well with this basic homemade gnocchi recipe.
So red potatoes or golden potatoes are the best options for a classic gnocchi with the best creamy buttery flavor. They are also a similar size so feel free to interchange them depending on what you have available at the time.
Watch THIS before you make potato gnocchi
FAQ
Why are russet potatoes used in making gnocchi as opposed to red potatoes?
Are starchy or waxy potatoes better for gnocchi?
Is it better to boil or bake potatoes for gnocchi?
Why did my gnocchi turned out mushy?
What potatoes are good for gnocchi?
In Italian supermarkets, we can buy potatoes labelled as being good for gnocchi! Outside of Italy, the best potatoes for gnocchi are Yukon Gold, Russets, King Edwards, Desirée or Maris Piper. Step 4 Turn riced potato out onto a flour dusted work surface. The recipe for gnocchi della Val Varaita I followed calls for red potatoes.
Can sweet potatoes be used as a replacement for white potatoes on a no starch diet?
Sweet potatoes do contain starch. However, they also contain fiber and other nutrients that may help to offset the effects of the starch. If you are following a no-starch diet, speak with your doctor or dietitian about whether sweet potatoes are appropriate for you. They may be able to offer suggestions for other vegetables that you can eat.
Are russet potatoes good for gnocchi?
This will result in light, pillowy soft gnocchi. Russet potatoes are perfect. Even more perfect are older Russets because they have an even lower moisture content. In contrast, using lower starch, waxy potatoes with a higher moisture content like Yukon Golds will result in denser, gummier gnocchi. Do NOT mash the potatoes! Use a potato ricer.
Are potato gnocchi difficult to make?
Potato gnocchi, when made from real potatoes and an authentic Italian recipe, are incredibly delicious and not too difficult to make. It’s definitely a beloved favorite of all Italian dishes! Who doesn’t love gnocchi? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.