The worlds’ most easy homemade gnocchi – by using ricotta instead of mashed potatoes, you can make gnocchi from scratch in just 30 minutes. The gnocchi is light and fluffy, like mini pillows of ricotta goodness. Toss ricotta gnocchi in a simple browned butter sauce or a tomato sauce – you choose!
EASIEST homemade Gnocchi recipe
Pillowy soft gnocchi is a thing of beauty. And while nowadays, we can get great store bought gnocchi, there is something so satisfying about making it at home.
So what if I told you that you can make homemade gnocchi from scratch in 30 minutes?
Start to finish, including cooking. With no special equipment required and very little mess!
This method I’m sharing today is a ricotta gnocchi. A much easier way to make gnocchi than the traditional mashed potato method, ricotta gnocchi is faster and virtually foolproof.
Anyone can make ricotta gnocchi, even beginner cooks. On the other hand, potato gnocchi is a recipe for capable cooks, requiring a deft hand, a gentle touch and a good feel for dough.
Ricotta gnocchi has both a similar texture and flavour to traditional potato gnocchi!
How to make really easy Homemade Gnocchi
Ricotta is the secret ingredient for this really easy homemade gnocchi. I call ricotta gnocchi “Italian fast food” – because it’s so quick to make!
Here’s what you need:
-
Ricotta
-
Parmesan
-
Flour
-
Eggs
-
Salt and pepper
Just mix them together, then use your hands to bring it all together into a soft dough.
Roll into ropes then cut into bite size pieces.
How to cook Gnocchi
Gnocchi is cooked in the same way as pasta – in boiling water. Fresh homemade gnocchi only takes a minute or two. You will know when gnocchi is cooked because they rise to the surface!
Then just drain and toss in your sauce of choice.
Best sauce for gnocchi
The classic sauce for gnocchi is butter sauce. I love butter sauce because it really let’s the flavour of gnocchi come through.
But sometimes, I like my gnocchi to be nice and saucy like pastas. On such days, I make a tomato pasta sauce instead.
Both are lovely, so you choose because both sauce options are provided! 🙂
Making gnocchi ahead of time
Gnocchi freezes brilliantly! Just freeze the uncooked gnocchi, then just cook from frozen. Imagine how smug you will feel if you have a stash of homemade gnocchi in your freezer!
Serve this gnocchi with a fresh garden salad tossed with Balsamic Dressing or Italian Dressing. If you want to go all out, add a side of Garlic Bread! – Nagi x
Gnocchi Lovers!
-
Easy homemade Pumpkin Gnocchi with Sage Butter Sauce
-
Pan Fried Gnocchi with Pumpkin & Spinach – quick and easy, made with store bought gnocchi
-
Malfatti – Cousin of the gnocchi, made with spinach and ricotta
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Easy Homemade Ricotta Gnocchi
Ingredients
Gnocchi
- 8 oz / 250g ricotta - ordinary supermarket ricotta , not expensive fresh Italian ricotta (Note 1)
- 3/4 cup / 75 g freshly grated parmesan cheese (Note 2)
- 3/4 to 1 cup / 112 - 150g plain flour , plus more for dusting (Note 3)
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Black pepper
Browned Butter Sauce
- 4 tbsp / 60 g unsalted butter
- 1/4 tsp salt (or omit if using salted butter)
- Black pepper
Tomato Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves , minced
- 1/2 brown onion , finely diced
- 28 oz / 800 g canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp mixed dried Italian herbs (or any combination of dried parsley, basil, oregano and thyme)
- 1 tsp salt
- Black pepper
Garnish
- Freshly grated parmesan
- Fresh parsley , finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
Gnocchi
- Combine the gnocchi ingredients in a bowl except the flour.
- Use a rubber spatula to mix until the egg is partially mixed into the ricotta. Then add 3/4 cup of flour and mix until just combined so it is a sticky very soft dough, but not like batter. Use the remaining flour, 1 tbsp at a time to get the dough consistency right. I find 3/4 cup is enough. (Note 3)
- Turn it out on a work surface lightly dusted with flour, sprinkle a tiny bit of flour on top then pat it down to a disc about 1"/2.5cm thick. Cut it into 8 pieces.
- Roll a piece into a log about 3/5" / 1.5 cm in diameter and about 10"/25cm long. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Line 4 logs up, then cut them into 3/5" / 1.5cm pieces. Repeat with remaining 4 logs. (Note 4)
- Bring a large pot of water to boil. Tumble the gnocchi in and cook for around 2 1/2 minutes, or until the gnocchi is floating on the surface for around 30 seconds.
- Reserve 1 mug of cooking water. Then drain and add the gnocchi into the frypan with your sauce of choice (you only need one of them, not both). Follow the instructions below.
Browned Butter Sauce
- Melt the butter in a large fry pan over medium high heat. Let it bubble until it turns brown. Add the salt and pepper. If the gnocchi isn't ready yet, remove from the stove until ready.
- Pour the cooked gnocchi into the fry pan along with 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water. Gently stir, coating the gnocchi in the melted butter, cooking for 1 minute. This is the step when the butter and starch in the water emulsify so the sauce coats each piece of gnocchi.
- Do a taste test and add more salt if required. Serve immediately.
Tomato Sauce
- Heat the olive oil over medium high heat.
- Add the garlic and onion. Sauce for 3 to 5 minutes until the onion is translucent.
- Add the remaining ingredients and cook for 10 minutes. Do a taste test and adjust saltiness to taste.
- Add the gnocchi and 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water. Cook for 1 minute, stirring gently. The olive oil and starch in the water will emulsify to thicken the sauce so it clings to the gnocchi better.
To Serve
- Serve immediately as the gnocchi will start to harden after about 15 minutes as it cools. You can reheat in the microwave to soften.
- Garnish with freshly grated parmesan and parsley, if desired.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition assuming 3 servings with Browned Butter Sauce (left) and Tomato Sauce (right).
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milkteaxx says
i remember making gnocchi from scratch and took me hours on end, i am definitely trying this one out!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Yes, do! It’s amazing!
Sandhya says
Nagi,
I can relate so well to the shouting at the contestants on TV:)
The gnocchi looks amazing- soft and fluffy and droolicious!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Ha! Glad to hear it, I don’t feel so much like a mad foodie now!! I’m glad you like the look of this chicken 😉
Krista Bjorn says
How fantastic, Nagi! I’m delighted by this recipe and cannot wait to try it. 🙂
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Hope you do Krista! 🙂
Rachel (Rachel's Kitchen NZ) says
I get so mad at those contestants and frequently shout at the TV:-) But this gnocchi is a totally different reason for shouting that is shouting for joy!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Rachel, I just had a vision of you and I on the couch, yelling at the TV like blokes do with rugby…..we would bring down the house!!!
Bam's Kitchen says
These little pillows of wonderfulness look like such a treat! 30 minutes, wow now I must try this. I sometimes watch Asian Food Network (that is what we get over here) but it does not grab my attention like some of the discovery channels that host chefs traveling and eating with the locals in the area-love food and culture combo. You know I am the same way I make dishes at least 3 times, sometimes even more before posting it, however, it is a really good thing as so many thing you can freeze and enjoy on another day. I know my boys will love this recipe!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Asian Food Network? I would have thought the food would be INCREDIBLE!!! (Not sure would recommend you making this for your boys, you’ll have to make a quadruple batch just to serve one of them. Too labor intensive! Opt for food you can make multiple batches of with little extra effort!) 😉
easypeasy says
Love how these are freezer friendly and can’t wait to try both sauces! My mouth won’t stop watering!!!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
I know, right?? Nuts! Who knew??
Marissa @ OMG FOOD says
OMGOMGOMGOMG. I love gnocchi! Though I usually buy it fresh from the pasta bakery and have yet to make it from scratch. I am so making this soon!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
You must!! It is so crazy easy!
recipescout says
I just recently got this recipe, tried it, and LOVED IT!. Thanks for bringing us gnocchi without all the carbs! This much I cn handle.
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Woah! That was fast! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, isn’t it incredible? I’m obsessed with these! 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let me know you loved it!!
Christine Gleeson says
One Word……YUM
Nagi | RecipeTin says
I like that word…. 😉
Kathleen | HapaNomNom says
Ok first of all, your description of yelling at food contestants on TV had me cracking up! And second, holy cow, ricotta gnocchi! I have never had nor heard of using ricotta en lieu of potatoes but it sounds like it would be totally amazing!!! I cannot wait to try this, this is pure genius! I love gnocchi – when it turn out well, they’re little cloud-like pillows. But when it doesn’t work out, they’re like little hockey pucks! I have made the same recipe for years, and like you said, it’s about a 75% chance they’ll turn out well. I like the odds of your ricotta gnocchi much better!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
I know, right?? Seriously, the first time I made potato gnocchi, half the batch turned out black because I was so slow, the potato became discoloured.
And you know perfectly well if we were on the couch together, you’d be screaming at the contestants as much as I do!! 😉
Kathleen | HapaNomNom says
Girl…. you know I would 😉 xoxo
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I love ricotta gnocchi too. The last time I had this gnocchi it was beautiful. The sauce was made by sauteing a million chopped onions and garlic in a bathtub full of butter while in another pot, fresh broccoli was being steamed to well overdone. After what seemed a lifetime, he tossed the broccoli in with the butter and it just fell apart to make a sauce. He seasoned it and mixed it in with the ricotta. One man at the meal had 5 bowls of it. That’s how many bowls of yours I want. How gorgeous the tomato sauce looks!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Bathtub of garlic butter? OOOOHHHH….now THAT’S my kind of bath!! 😉
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
You and I are simpatico – I always make gnocchi with ricotta. The funny thing is that it’s the first gnocchi I ever tried and we liked it so well that I’ve never attempted potato gnocchi. But from what you say, apparently that’s a good bet anyway. My recipe is different and I can’t wait to try yours. The gnocchi look perfect. And then there are the sauce choices – yes please! I’ll have to make both.
I can’t bear those competition cooking shows – they completely stress me out! It’s kind of like watching improv comedy, I always feel so nervous for the people on stage that I have a hard time enjoying the show! 🙂
Nagi | RecipeTin says
I know! I get so worked up!! And I feel nervous for the people I like! 🙂 Ooh, I’m popping over to see if you have a recipe on your blog. 🙂 After writing this, my mother reminded me of my first attempt at making potato gnocchi when I was a youngster. Half the batch went black – you know how potato becomes discoloured?? TOO FUNNY!! 🙂
Ciao Florentina says
But of course ricotta gnocchi are the best gnocchi ever ! Like i put ricotta in everything, have you noticed ?? I already know these are the Bomb, and now you see why you are a girl after my own heart. Ok so here’s the deal: you fly out to Cali and make these ricotta gnocchi, and I make ricotta muffins and ricotta meatballs, and ricotta tomato tart bahahha
Nagi | RecipeTin says
All I have to say to that is this: why don’t YOU fly out here to SYDNEY?! 😉 N x
Ciao Florentina says
That is on my Bucket List, so yeah it’s gonna happen !! 😉
Brendan_mp says
Thanks for the excellent simple recipe. I plan on trying it both ways. I’ll make a double batch so we can have some of each. My son is 6′ 210lbs. He always has two plates. 😉
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Now this is a GREAT carb load up for your won! He clearly needs the fuel! Hope you do try it, would love to know what you think! I have another batch in the freezer, looking forward to having them tonight!! 🙂
Kevin | keviniscooking says
A year or so ago I came across a fantastic gnocchi recipe with only two ingredients from Irvin Lin over at Eat the Love. They are like soft pillows of wonderful. BUT this version with ricotta and no potato has me intrigued. Must try next weekend.
I think I would make one with pesto, but that browned butter and saucy tomato is beautiful.
Nagi | RecipeTin says
2 ingredients? You have me extremely curious….
Kevin | keviniscooking says
OK, be gentle, my photos were from a year and a half ago! BUT his recipe is a good one. http://www.keviniscooking.com/handmade-gnocchi-two-ingredients/
Kevin | keviniscooking says
Feel free to delete this after you get the link if you like.
Tania @My Kitchen Stories says
Oh Nagi, they drive me crazy but I watch them. Masterchef has become particularly stupid. Cooking 3 or 4 courses in two hours. No professional ever des that. They start the prep and sauces etc the day before. Just stupid. ( funny they always seem to finish though?)
Love Ricotta gnocchi in fact Ricotta is a bit of a minor miracle food really.
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Ha ha ha!! I am SO GLAD you can relate!! 😉
Thao @ In Good Flavor says
Who would have thought 20 years ago that watching cooking shows elevates your blood pressure like a sporting event! Those competitive cooking challenges are brutal! This ricotta gnocchi sounds heavenly! I’m going to want both sauces because I don’t want to miss out on either one.
Nagi | RecipeTin says
You make me laugh Thao!! I know, right?? Well, I must admit, no sport (other than soccer) ever got my blood boiling. But you are so right. Who would have thought? 😉
Lisa Smithey says
HI NAGI!!!! COLD in Sydney?- weeks and weeks in the 90’s in Portland, TOO hot for an Oregonian!! I HAVE been watching the blog and making your recipes and STILL making the family’s favorites–, the homemade teriyaki with chicken is made at least twice a month STILL! I am so happy to see a homemade gnocchi recipe. I JUST made gnocchi with browned butter and parmesan cheese last week another favorite and I cant wait to try this. Your FAITHFUL blog watcher who is STILL using Nagi recipes for her family and grandson! lol Lisa WAY TOO HOT IN PTOWN!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
LISA! It’s so nice to hear from you! I sent you an email to say hi and give you a free copy of my wings cookbook, I hope you got it. 🙂
I can’t believe you just made gnocchi!! (Especially given it is in the 90’s!) I’m so happy to hear from you again, it hasn’t been the same without you around! I hope your family is well! N x
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Now you KNOW I approve of these, Nagi! I’ve made them several times too and definitely prefer the ricotta version. Plus I’m starting to trust your mum’s opinion, so I reckon this is going to be a sound recipe to follow!
Once, my whole family got addicted to My Kitchen Rules. We watched them all afternoon long one after another on a food channel! Loved it! 🙂
Nagi | RecipeTin says
Oh my gosh! I just remembered – you posted the giant ones last month!!! I totally forgot!!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
That’s it! Nagi – I’m coming over for dinner! The “dough” using ricotta looks so insanely light and fluffy! I’ve never made gnocchi of any sort – and I -ugh- hate to admit this, but I’ve never eaten it either! I gotta try this though – soon as Summer ends and we are back on a schedule in our house!
Have you ever sen Cutthroat Kitchen w/Alton Brown? All the sabotages have me on the edge of my seat! My Kitchen Rules sounds fantastic!
Nagi | RecipeTin says
What? Alton Brown has a cooking show? NO WAY! I have to get it!!!
PS Yes you need to change your gnocchi drought. You will LOVE them. Promise promise promise. 😉