Sweet Potato Gnocchi are a delightful twist on the classic Italian pasta that bursts with seasonal flavor and versatility. Forget bland, store-bought gnocchi; this homemade version is easy to create and so worth the effort.
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What size and shape should gnocchi be?
This truly varies on your personal preference and usage. For this recipe they are roughly the size of a large marble. The classic shape, resembling small pillows with slightly rounded sides and ends.
Why This Sweet Potato Gnocchi Recipe is a Keeper
Sweet potato gnocchi is a healthier version than traditional potato gnocchi. They don’t get gluey when worked like regular potatoes. Producing a smoother, more tender dough.
- Easy Ingredients: 5 ingredient sweet potato gnocchi are amazing and easy to make at home.
- Family Friendly: Such a fun twist from mashed sweet potatoes and sweet potato fries. Gnocchi isn’t hard to make. In fact, the kids can help.
- Adaptable: Can bake the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them. Use different fun sauces. It’s so easy.
If you’re looking for more sweet potato recipes, try these Roasted Spicy Sweet Potatoes, Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole with Canned Yams and Praline Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole.
Gnocchi
While the origins of gnocchi can be traced back to ancient Rome, the potato was not introduced to Europe until the 16th century. So that version came into existence much later. This version was a favorite in Norther Italy where it has a colder climate.
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Ingredient Notes for Make Sweet Potato Gnocchi
This easy sweet potato gnocchi recipe only uses five simple ingredients. Try this recipe when you want something different.
- Sweet Potatoes: The sweet flavor and velvety texture of sweet potato gnocchi elevates the dish.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for Homemade Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Gnocchi is by far an easy pasta to influence by adding different items such as sauces, herbs and seasonings.
- Sage Butter: Butter and sage sauce add a fresh quality to the gnocchi. Remove the gnocchi from the pot and then heat the butter and fresh herbs. It is ready when the gnocchi and butter begins to brown.
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Roast the sweet potatoes and then follow the recipe below. Cook the gnocchi until they float and add your favorite sauce.
Special Equipment Needed to Make Gnocchi from Scratch
If you love gnocchi it is worth investing in these tools. Sweet Potato gnocchi is easy to make when you use these easy, inexpensive tools.
- Potato Ricer: When you use a potato ricer. It makes mash potatoes perfectly or use a potato masher. A masher or potato ricer will both work. The consistency is just different.
- Gnocchi Board: For fancy gnocchi with grooves to hold the sauce. Roll each gnocchi on the board.
How to Make this Sweet Potato Gnocchi Recipe
You can make and form the gnocchi any time and then gnocchi can be stored in the freezer until you are ready to serve. Make with your favorite salad recipe and dinner is done.
These are the basic steps for making Gnocchi with Sweer Potatoes. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
STEP 1: Prepare the Potatoes and Mash
Put sweet potatoes, unpeeled, in a large saucepan. Cover with 2 inches of cold water. Add salt and bring pot to a boil. Reduce heat to medium high and cook the sweet potatoes for about 40 minutes, until tender. Allow to cool slightly, then peel. If using leftover potatoes, microwave them until they are heated through. Pass through a ricer into a large bowl.
STEP 2: Make the Homemade Gnocchi Dough
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil with salt. Add flour, egg, kosher salt, and black pepper to the potatoes. Using your hands, gently combine the potato mixture until the dough is smooth and soft.
STEP 3: Make the Gnocchi
Lightly dust your workspace with flour. Divide dough into 4 pieces. Roll each ball into a long snake about 3/4 inches thick. Cut the gnocchi rope into 1-inch pieces. Place the finished gnocchi onto parchment paper or baking sheets, sprinkled with flour.
STEP 4: Cook the Gnocchi
Place half the gnocchi into the boiling water in the large pot. Boil the gnocchi for 2-3 minutes until gnocchi floats to the surface. Using a large, slotted spoon remove gnocchi. Repeat with other half.
STEP 5: Prepare the Sweet Potato Gnocchi Brown Butter Sauce
For the brown butter sauce, melt butter in a large skillet over medium low heat. Add garlic and rosemary and cook for about 5 minutes or until the butter turns a golden brown. Add the heavy cream and stir to combine. Remove from heat and add Parmesan cheese. Immediately toss with the gnocchi. Top with additional Parmesan cheese.
Gnocchi with Brown Butter Recipe FAQs
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe for 5 ingredient Sweet Potato Gnocchi
There are a few tips. Make sure to use unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt. Do not over boil or they will be mushy.
- Double: Make extra for a large gathering or freeze a batch for a future meal. The recipe makes a nice amount but place the gnocchi in the freezer and keep the gnocchi for future meals.
- Add Ricotta Cheese for Fluffy Gnocchi: Create a creamy pasta pillow by add 1/3 cup of ricotta cheese to the fresh gnocchi recipe.
- Freeze Sweet Potato Gnocchi: Place gnocchi pasta on a baking sheet and freeze. Then remove and store in an airtight container.
- Best Potato for Gnocchi: For ease of use go for the classic orange. For a richer flavor try garnet for these homemade gnocchi recipe.
- Soup: Like traditional gnocchi, use the cooked gnocchi to make a gnocchi soup. Using gnocchi in place of traditional noodles.
- Variety: Purple potatoes, white potatoes or even pumpkin can be used to make delicious gnocchi.
What to Serve the Gnocchi with
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Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Ingredients
For gnocchi:
- 1 pound Sweet potatoes
- 1 cup Flour
- 1 Egg
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
For Sauce:
- ½ cup Unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoon Fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 tablespoon Heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Put sweet potatoes, unpeeled, in a large saucepan. Cover with 2 inches of cold water. Add 1 Tbsp salt and bring pot to a boil. Reduce heat to medium high and cook for about 40 minutes, until tender. Allow to cool slightly, then peel. If using leftover potatoes, microwave them until they are heated through. Pass through a ricer into a large bowl.
- Meanwhile, bring a separate large pot of water to a boil with 1 Tbsp salt.
- Add flour, egg, kosher salt, and black pepper to the potatoes. Using your hands, gently combine the ingredients until the dough is smooth and soft.
- Lightly dust your work space with flour. Divide dough into 4 pieces. Roll each ball into a long snake about 3/4 inches thick. Cut your rope into 1 inch pieces. Place the finished gnocchi onto parchment paper or cookie sheets, sprinkled with flour.
- Place half the gnocchi into the salted boiling water in the large pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes until gnocchi rises to the surface. Using a large slotted spoon remove gnocchi. Repeat with other half.
- For the browned butter sauce, in a sauce pan melt the butter and salt over medium low heat. Add garlic and rosemary and cook for about 5 minutes or until the butter begins to brown. Add the 2 Tbsp heavy cream and stir to combine. Remove from heat and add Parmesan cheese. Immediately toss with the gnocchi. Top with additional Parmesan cheese.
Expert Tips
- Double: Make extra for a large gathering or freeze a batch for a future meal. The recipe makes a nice amount but place the gnocchi in the freezer and keep the gnocchi for future meals.
- Add Ricotta Cheese for Fluffy Gnocchi: Create a creamy pasta pillow by add 1/3 cup of ricotta cheese to the fresh gnocchi recipe.
- Freeze Sweet Potato Gnocchi: Place gnocchi pasta on a baking sheet and freeze. Then remove and store in an airtight container.
- Best Potato for Gnocchi: For ease of use go for the classic orange. For a richer flavor try garnet for this homemade gnocchi recipe.
- Soup: Like traditional gnocchi, use the cooked gnocchi to make a gnocchi soup. Using a gnocchi in place of traditional noodles.
- Variety: Purple potatoes, white potatoes or even pumpkin can be used to make delicious gnocchi.
Estimated Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic-inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe. I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients, and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible to the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.
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Sweet potato gnocchi
How many cups per person do I get when making for 4 servings of sweet potato gnocchi.
I am not sure how many cups the finished recipe would translate to. I usually just divide the finished dish into four portions.