Pan fried gnocchi – crispy, golden and buttery on the outside, soft on the inside, tossed with roasted pumpkin and spinach. This is one of my favourite ways to make gnocchi without blowing my carb meter and making a dreamy buttery sauce without using tons of butter!
Pan Fried Gnocchi
I absolutely adore gnocchi. If I go to an Italian restaurant, chances are I’ll order gnocchi.
I put it above handmade pasta. That’s how much I love it.
And up until maybe a year ago, I was a total gnocchi snob. I would only ever have fresh or homemade gnocchi. Scarred from my uni days when I made store bought gnocchi and it was so chewy and tasteless.
But in the years that have passed, I must say that packaged gnocchi has come a long way and now I happily use packaged gnocchi!
This gnocchi is served with a butter sauce which is a classic sauce for gnocchi.
What does Gnocchi taste like?
Gnocchi is a potato flour dumpling, so it tastes like a cross between pasta and mashed potato. It’s soft on the inside, and when pan fried like in this recipe, it’s crispy on the outside.
Plain gnocchi, like pasta, does not actually have much flavour in itself. So it’s used with sauces and ideal for add-ins, like pumpkin and spinach which is what I’m using here.
Filling out Gnocchi with Pumpkin
So nowadays, armed with the convenience of store bought gnocchi, the only thing that holds me back from a weekly gnocchi fix is that it’s so high in carbs.
250g/8oz of gnocchi has 90g of carbs, 400 calories. And it’s super dense so it’s only about 1 cup in volume which isn’t enough for a meal (at least, not for me!)
Add a sauce and the calorie count starts hiking up quite considerably….
So to “lighten” it up and fill it out more, I like to add roasted pumpkin which has only 20g of carbs and 85 calories per 250g/8oz, almost 1/4 of gnocchi!
Plus roasted pumpkin is so juicy, it provides more “wetness” to this dish instead of adding more butter.
Adding roasting pumpkin adds flavour as well as filling out the gnocchi dish to make it a filling meal
Butter sauce for Gnocchi
I think a simple butter sauce is the best sauce for gnocchi. But you don’t need tons of butter! If you just make this with loads of butter for the sauce, it’s far too rich.
So the way to make a butter sauce is to add some of the water used to cook the gnocchi. This water is starchy, and when tossed with the butter sauce, the starch in the water reacts with the butter to thicken the water and creates a glossy butter sauce.
It’s how a real proper Alfredo is made, the way restaurants make it, without using tons of cream. 🙂
So I use that same technique to make the butter sauce for this Pan Fried Gnocchi too. So every piece of golden crispy gnocchi is coated in a buttery sauce that actually clings to the gnocchi rather than pooling in the base of the bowl.
You will love this, I promise! Yes it’s indulgent, and yes it’s still carb heavy, but it is lighter than making it without pumpkin. Try this with fresh garden salad on the side, tossed with Balsamic or Italian dressing! – Nagi x
Gnocchi Lovers!
- Easiest homemade gnocchi ever – Ricotta Gnocchi
- Easy homemade Pumpkin Gnocchi with Sage Butter Sauce
And some cosy risottos!
Just because when I think of gnocchi, for some reason there’s always a passing thought of whether to make risotto instead…
- Chicken and Mushroom Risotto
- Creamy Baked Pumpkin Risotto
- Creamy Prawn Risotto (Shrimp)
- Chorizo Risotto with Kale
- One Pot Creamy Baked Risotto with Lemon Pepper Chicken
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Pan Fried Gnocchi with Pumpkin & Spinach
Ingredients
- 500g/1lb pumpkin, cut into 2cm / 4/5" pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 350g/12oz gnocchi, store bought (Note 1)
- 45g / 3 tbsp butter, salted (unsalted also ok, just add more salt)
- 1 garlic clove (large), minced
- 80g / 2.5oz baby spinach leaves
- 1/2 tsp fresh sage, finely sliced
- Salt & pepper
- Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200C/390F. Place pumpkin in a large bowl, drizzle with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to coat, spread out on tray and bake for 20 - 25 minutes, turning once, until golden and soft inside. Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to the boil, add a good pinch of salt. Cook gnocchi according to packet directions, or until gnocchi pops to the surface of the water (see video). SCOOP OUT a large mug of cooking water, then drain gnocchi.
- Place butter in a skillet then put on the stove over medium high heat. Once it foams, add gnocchi immediately. Stir, turn up the heat to high, then leave to cook for about 30 seconds.
- Add garlic and sage, then stir / toss for no longer than 1 1/2 minutes (i.e. 2 minutes in total - see note 2) until gnocchi is golden on both sides.
- Add about 3/4 cup of gnocchi cooking water and toss - the water will evaporate quickly and transform into a sauce.
- Then add the pumpkin, spinach and about 1/4 cup of cooking water. Stir quickly , then season with salt and pepper. Toss then serve immediately with freshly grated parmesan.
Recipe Notes:
- I use both refrigerated and non refrigerated store bought gnocchi. I don't have a favourite brand, but the ones you get from Italian delis are extra great!
- If you pan fry gnocchi for too long, it becomes chewy inside which is not very nice! That's why I limit the pan frying to 2 minutes.
- Pan Fried Gnocchi with Pumpkin and Spinach nutrition per serving.
Nutrition Information:
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Pan Fried Gnocchi with Pumpkin & Spinach recipe video!
LIFE OF DOZER
Whenever you see a photo of a table laden with food like the one above the recipe card, just know that this fur ball is sitting right underneath it. Always.
Hi Nagi,
So some reason this is the first time I’ve commented on this recipe even though we have enjoyed several times.
My daughter actually requested this today so I picked up what I neededon the way home,and asked said daughter to peel and cube pumpkin whilst en route.
As always, this is a quick recipe with minimal prep and great flavour!
Thank you Nagi, once again.
This looks great! Is there a good substitute for fresh sage? I can’t access sage easily. Thanks !
You could use Thyme or died sage if you can get it ☺️
Hi Nagi!
This looks amazing! I was wondering if I could sub sweet potato for pumpkins since my local market only sells canned…
Also do you think this would reheat the next day well?
Hi Maddy! Sweet potato will be great in this – YUM!! It reheats great the next day, though not quite as saucy because it’s sucked up by the gnocchi but when you reheat, the gnocchi gets juicy because of the sauce it’s absorbed. It’s SO GOOD!
Hi Nagi – LOVE your recipes and the simplicity of the meals, much of which I prep ahead. Can I make a double batch of this and freeze?
Meg
Hi Megan! Hmm – I’m not sure to be honest! I’ve never frozen cooked pumpkin OR cooked gnocchi before. Sorry I can’t help! N x
Hi Nagi,
We love your recipes and cooking. They are awesome. Thank You for sharing!
Makes me happy to hear that! Thank you for reading. 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend! N xx
Great recipe! Loved the flavours, delicious sauce! I couldn’t resist and added chorizo!
Ohhhhh CHORIZO! It makes everything better! 🙂
This recipe is delish! Thank you Nagi! I love your video tutorials also, it means that your recipes are totally fool proof! I made this tonight and hubby and I really enjoyed it! Totally scrummy and you wouldn’t even know that we cheated on the butter by using the gnocchi cooking water! My hubby demands that I cook it again, so it’s a big winner this one! Love to you and Dozer of course xox
AWESOME!!! I’m so glad to hear that Alex, thanks for letting me know! N xx
Mmmm… OMG Nagi, you’ve done it Again!
Husband and I just devoured this for dinner tonight ( ha-ha kids, you missed out )
Love love loved it. A definite keeper! 10/10
So glad you had a wonderful time in Japan – Welcome Home.
Thank you xo
You MADE THIS ALREADY??? Woo hoo!!!! I am SO HAPPY that you liked it, thank you Vanessa! I wasn’t sure if people would feel cheated because I filled it out with pumpkin – ba ha ha! N xx
I have not made gnocchi for about 2 years. I ❤️ your take. Time for a change.
p/s I tried to send you an email re homemade mango ice cream without churning via your e-response but it bounced back.
I forgot the whipped cream. The canned mango purée (fresh mangoes are not all that at the mo) and condensed milk are to be chilled for 24 hours, then whip it at high speed till ribbon stage. Not sure if I should add a raw egg. Freeze it and whip it every 30min to break ice crystals for the first couple of hours. What ya think?
Hi CK! I’ve tried that method in the past and found it didn’t quite work for me, albeit not with mango. My concern is that mango would make it even icier because of the water in it. I would absolutely love to know what you think though if you do try it!
Wow… these gnocchi s look classic with pumpkin. slightly roasted brownish tint makes it exotic
I AGREE!!
Hi, Nagi,
Welcome home!
I was so jealous of your time in Japan — my son lived there for two years with his family while he was teaching English as a second language in Nagoya, and I got to visit him twice. The second time we did so,e traveling and stayed at ryokans with onsen. How I wish they had onsen here on Kauai!
Anyway, Dora asked if you meant actual pumpkin or butternut/buttercup squash — or did you mean what the Japanese call pumpkin, the green-skinned kabocha squash?
Thanks!
Donna
Gosh you know more about Japanese pumpkins than I do!!! I made this using actual pumpkin but butternut would work just as well, I use them interchangeably 🙂 We don’t have other types of squash here in Oz (too hot maybe??), do you get the varieties in Hawaii that are found in the states??? How wonderful that your son lived in Japan, what a fantastic experience! PS I want an onsen too…. 🙂
As an aussie living in USA(part time) pumpkin in USA talk = orange things you carve…. Pumpkin in aussie talk = winter squash(in USA talk)
So pumpkin ONLY refers to carving??? I thought there was plenty of eating pumpkin too!!
I love love love gnocchi but I am dismal at making it, they always end up like hard little disappointment turds so thank you or sharing this recipe!! I love that it is lower in carbs and that you fry it, it sounds absolutley divine x Your Japan adventures sound amazing I am super green with envy 🙂
I sometimes struggle with potato gnocchi too 🙂 Try ricotta ones, I have a recipe on my site, they are much easier (and way faster) to make!!
Try the Women’s Weekly Italian Cookbook one if you can find the recipe… I found that to work well… or the ricotta gnocchi from Stephanie Alexander works pretty nicely with more protein and less carb… or spinach ricotta is nice also…
Nagi Wellcome back. We will have yet another heatwave from Sun. , for05 days. GOD help us ALL. Gnochis Are yumi, 20 y of My life Had home Made pastas, noodless, bread etc.. My Dear Mum sure did spoiled us. Love IT can have IT any time , day Or night. Did YOU miss Mr Doza? Yes YOU did. Regards, Vera.
Sydney has a week of RAIN forecast!!! BOO!!!!! PS Miss Dozer? Umm….yess….kind of…. well, LOTS! Can’t do long holidays anymore, I miss him too much!!! 🙂 N xx
I always have the soft gnocchi, but I love the idea to fry them. They will be crispy outside and soft on the inside. Pumpkin is becoming one of my favorite ingredients to cook any recipe. Safe trip back home!
Anything with a golden crispy buttery exterior is extra delicious!!!!! Hope you’ve had a great week Carlos! N xx
The lovely pumpkin addition will be tried, but if I do make gnocchi I still love my own! Actually ANY diet should consist of 40% good carbohydrates for health – unfortunately potatoes are not that ‘good’! The Tokyo Travel Guide would be a marvellous idea – and we might hear from your lovely Mother again! But how you put weight on in Japan is beyond me: in all my trips I never gained a kilo and yet we had to go to 3-4 hour-long formal lunches and dinners almost every day . . . with all the fish and vegetables and seaweed and tofu and . . . 🙂 !!!
Actually I stepped on the scales and surprisingly it’s the same!!! I guess it’s all the hours of walking I did every day 🙂 I bet you make a mean gnocchi Eha!!!
*big grin* Nagi, there is a difference between knowing how to make and making often : I truly do eat very little European food!! Yes, of course you skied and walked but unless you only eat crumbed and fried food, methinks you do not have to worry about weight in Japan – I do not remember meeting too many plump Japanese – if some of the ones with whom we did business had a tummy . . . methinks sitting down all day and loving the whisky we brought in may have been more of a cause!!
That is so so true….Japan is probably one of the healthiest nations in the world!!
Nagi,
When you say pumpkin, are you using honest-to-goodness pumpkin, or are you referring to butternut or buttercup squash?
Hi Dora! I’m using honest to goodness pumpkin in this 🙂 But I would happily sub with butternut squash! We don’t get other types of squash here in Australia, just butternut which is very similar to pumpkin (I use them interchangeably)
Aussie pumpkin = winter squash for USA residents who call pumpkin ONLY the orange carving things…
This looks delicious. Since fresh pumpkin are not available, is it possible to use canned? I’ve spent many hours in the Tokyo airport. Love watching those planes come in.
It’s mesmerising watching those planes!! Can you get canned pieces of pumpkin?? Cooked or raw??
Do you have Wegmans nearby? They sell frozen packs of squash and spinach IIRC… Aussie pumpkin = winter squash so look around – perhaps an acorn or butternut is available fresh…
Hi Nagi
I’m making this tonight but I’m so nervous as I’ve never attempted gnocchi before. Please don’t be rubbery ☹️
I have read this back to back plus the comments so wish me luck.
Ps – the weather today is magnificent. I hope your enjoying it too.
Bec
Hi Nagi, I have been making pan fried gnocchi a lot lately too but with grilled chorizo, cherry tomatoes and basil which is always a hit in our house! I will try your variation next time. For those home cooks in Singapore, I highly recommend the brand Giovanni Rana for their gnocchi. As for Tokyo, I second your idea for the Tokyo tips on your mum’s blog. I was just there in October and we had a fabulous time eating and cannot wait to go back already!
I am actually sitting at Tokyo airport responding to messages eating a RAMEN and yet I paused noodle slurping at that vision of a chorizo gnocchi…. PS Good chorizo in Singapore???
Ohhh I completely agree with you – when we were in Rome, I had the best homemade gnocchi EVER! Nothing’s going to beat that flavour, but store bought comes kinda close when you give it a little love. First of all, I love those Japan stories… I don’t know if I’ll ever get to go there myself (I spent some time in Sydney, and that’s as far away from my country the Netherlands as you could possible go!) so I’d love to read about it a little more! And then for your recipe, oh, no words needed I think. Big fried gnocchi fan here, and I’d love to whip up a batch of this!
I’ve never been to the Netherlands! Have to change that one of these days 🙂 N xx