Home-made Gnocchi

Making gnocchi at home is a lot more labor intensive than most of my recipes. It takes a lot of time, both in simply cooking and while forming the actual gnocchi. When I make gnocchi, I often use store bought for this reason. That said, the end result is very good when done this way.

Home-made Gnocchi

Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time2 hours
Course: Pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Pasta
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 5 medium-large Potatoes
  • 1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour (more or less)
  • 1 Beaten egg yolk (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Wash and pat dry potatoes. Bake in oven for 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Cool slightly. Peel and mash very well by hand or use ricer.
  • While potatoes (mashed) are still warm, pour flour into a high lump and make a well in the center. This can be done in a large bowl, on a board, or on the counter top).
  • Mix mashed potatoes with egg yolk, if using.
  • Place mashed potatoes into flour well.
  • With your hands, work flour into the well. Knead dough just for a few seconds (dough will be sticky) and form a ball.
  • Lightly flour your table or working surface.
  • Take a large piece of dough and roll by your palms to form a rope, almost an inch in diameter. With a sharp knife, cut pieces off (a few at a time), about an inch in length.
  • With your thumb (flour if needed) shape pieces like ears. Line pieces (not touching) on the floured surface you're working on.
  • Continue until all potato dough is used.
  • Bring large pot of water (a little more than 3/4 full) to a rapid boil. Add a palmful of salt and the gnocchi (enough not to overflow the pot). Remove with a large slotted spoon when they surface and place in a large serving bowl.
  • Continue this process until all gnocchi are cooked.
  • Toss with tomato sauce.
  • OR Toss with 5 tbsp butter and 1 cup freshly grated parmigiano.
  • OR Toss with 5-6 tbsp butter, a handful of finely chopped fresh sage leaves, and 1/2 cup parmigiano.