Homemade Potato Gnocchi

Featured in: Family-Friendly Everyday Meals

These potato gnocchi are tender and pillowy, made from starchy potatoes, flour, egg, and salt. Boiled until they float, they create a soft texture perfect for tossing with rich sauces like sage butter or tomato. For added flavor, gently sauté in butter after boiling. The dough is simple to prepare, involving mashing, kneading lightly, and shaping into small pieces. A classic Italian dish with versatile serving options.

Updated on Mon, 24 Nov 2025 13:21:00 GMT
Steaming hot Homemade Potato Gnocchi, ready to be tossed with a rich, flavorful sauce. Save
Steaming hot Homemade Potato Gnocchi, ready to be tossed with a rich, flavorful sauce. | honeyflint.com

Tender, pillowy potato dumplings made with just four simple ingredients—perfect for tossing with your favorite sauce.

This recipe has become a family favorite, especially when paired with fresh tomato sauce or sage butter.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 1 kg (2.2 lbs) starchy potatoes (such as Russet or Yukon Gold)
  • Flour: 250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
  • Eggs: 1 large egg
  • Salt: 1 tsp fine sea salt

Instructions

Boil Potatoes:
Boil the potatoes (with skins on) in a large pot of salted water until fork-tender, about 20 25 minutes.
Cool and Peel:
Drain and let the potatoes cool slightly While still warm peel off the skins.
Mash Potatoes:
Pass the peeled potatoes through a potato ricer or mash thoroughly until smooth.
Prepare Dough Base:
Spread the potatoes on a clean work surface Sprinkle with salt and most of the flour (reserve about 1/4 cup for dusting).
Add Egg:
Make a well in the center and add the egg.
Knead Dough:
Using your hands gently mix and knead the ingredients together gradually adding the rest of the flour as needed until a soft slightly sticky dough forms Do not overwork.
Roll Dough:
Cut the dough into quarters Roll each piece into a rope about 2 cm (3/4 inch) thick.
Cut Pieces:
Cut ropes into 2 cm (3/4 inch) pieces If desired roll each piece gently over the tines of a fork to create ridges.
Boil Water:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook Gnocchi:
Drop gnocchi in batches into the boiling water When they float to the surface (about 2 3 minutes) continue cooking for 30 seconds then remove with a slotted spoon.
Serve:
Serve immediately tossed with your favorite sauce such as sage butter tomato sauce or pesto.
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Making this gnocchi is always a special time with my family, bringing everyone to the kitchen to help shape the dough.

Notes

For extra flavor sauté cooked gnocchi briefly in butter until lightly golden. Gnocchi pairs well with a crisp Pinot Grigio or light red wine.

Required Tools

Large pot, potato ricer or masher, knife, slotted spoon, fork (optional for shaping)

Allergen Information

Contains egg and gluten (wheat flour). For gluten-free or egg-free versions substitute as needed and check all product labels.

Golden brown homemade potato gnocchi, light, fluffy, and perfect for dinner tonight. Save
Golden brown homemade potato gnocchi, light, fluffy, and perfect for dinner tonight. | honeyflint.com

With these tips, your homemade gnocchi will come out tender and delicious every time.

Recipe FAQs

What type of potatoes works best?

Starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold provide the ideal texture for soft, light dumplings.

How can I prevent the dough from becoming sticky?

Gradually add flour when kneading and avoid overworking the dough to keep it soft yet manageable.

Can gnocchi be prepared in advance?

Yes, gnocchi can be frozen individually before boiling; freeze on a tray then store in bags.

What is the sign that gnocchi are cooked?

They float to the surface in boiling water after about 2–3 minutes, then cook briefly before removal.

How can I add extra flavor after cooking?

Sauté boiled gnocchi in butter until lightly golden for a richer taste and texture.

Homemade Potato Gnocchi

Soft potato dumplings combined with flour and egg, ideal with a variety of sauces.

Prep duration
30 minutes
Time to cook
30 minutes
Total duration
60 minutes
Recipe by Julia Fenmore


Skill level Medium

Cuisine type Italian

Makes 4 Portions

Diet info Meatless

What you'll need

Potatoes

01 2.2 lbs starchy potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold)

Flour

01 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting

Eggs

01 1 large egg

Salt

01 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

Preparation steps

Step 01

Boil Potatoes: Place potatoes with skins in a large pot of salted water and boil until fork-tender, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Step 02

Cool and Peel: Drain potatoes and allow to cool slightly; peel skins while still warm.

Step 03

Mash Potatoes: Pass peeled potatoes through a ricer or mash thoroughly until smooth.

Step 04

Prepare Dough Base: Spread mashed potatoes on a clean surface, sprinkle with salt and most of the flour, reserving about 1/4 cup for dusting.

Step 05

Add Egg: Form a well in the center, add the egg.

Step 06

Mix and Knead: Gently combine ingredients by hand, gradually incorporating remaining flour until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms; avoid overworking.

Step 07

Shape Dough: Divide dough into quarters and roll each into a rope approximately 3/4 inch thick.

Step 08

Cut Gnocchi: Cut ropes into 3/4 inch pieces; optionally, roll each piece over fork tines to create ridges.

Step 09

Boil Gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add gnocchi in batches, cook until they float plus 30 seconds (about 2 to 3 minutes), then remove with a slotted spoon.

Step 10

Serve: Serve immediately tossed with a preferred sauce such as sage butter, tomato sauce, or pesto.

Tools needed

  • Large pot
  • Potato ricer or masher
  • Knife
  • Slotted spoon
  • Fork

Allergy details

Review each item for allergens and check with your doctor if unsure.
  • Contains egg and gluten (wheat flour).

Nutrition details (each serving)

Information here is just a guide—talk to your doctor for personal advice.
  • Calorie count: 250
  • Fat content: 1 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 54 grams
  • Proteins: 7 grams