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Sweet Potato Gnocchi

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This Sweet Potato Gnocchi is cheesy, creamy and super easy to make- perfect for anyone who’s making their own gnocchi for the first time. It is a great recipe to try out on a weekend when you’re in the mood for a good pasta, but don’t want to indulge. It truly is a restaurant worthy dish you need to try out!

sweet potato gnocchi in a bowl

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

  • This has to be one of my favorite gnocchi recipes of all time, and for many good reasons.
  • Not only is the sweet potato mixture super easy to make, but the recipe calls for just a few simple ingredients.
  • Plus, it is super customizable too! You can totally add your favorite sauce to it to jazz it up.

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need just a few simple ingredients to make the sweet potato gnocchi.

  • Sweet potato: The base of gnocchi, sweet potatoes offer a healthier alternative with a slight sweetness.
  • Egg: Acts as a binder, keeping the gnocchi dough together.
  • Cheese: Adds a creamy richness to the gnocchi, blending into the dough mixture.
  • Flour: Essential for creating the gnocchi dough’s structure and texture.
  • Olive oil: Forms a simple sauce that coats the gnocchi, enhancing its flavor.
  • Herbs: Thyme, bay leaf, and coriander add subtle, aromatic flavors to the dish.
  • Seasonings: Simple salt and pepper seasoning brings all the flavors together.
 Sweet Potato Gnocchi Ingredients

How to Make Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Once you have all your ingredients ready, here’s how to make the homemade sweet potato gnocchi from scratch.

Step 1: Bake Sweet Potatoes or Steam Them Until Fork Tender

Wash sweet potatoes and cut into finger-thick circles. Bake the potatoes in the oven or steam them. you will need about 50 minutes. The slices should pierce easily with a fork.

Step 2: Peel and Mash the Potatoes with a Fork

Peel the potatoes from their skins. Mash the potato slices with a fork in a large bowl.

Step 3: Add Seasonings & Knead Until Soft Dough Forms

Add salt, pepper, egg, grated cheese. Pour in flour. Knead into a soft, tender dough.

Step 4: Roll the Dough into a Thick Rope

Roll out a piece of dough into a finger-thick rope on a lightly floured surface.

Step 5: Cut into 1 inch Length Pieces

Cut into 1-inch lengths using a sharp knife and shape with a fork or gnocchi board. We used a metal vegetable slicing holder – it’s very handy.

Step 6: Add to Boiling Water and Cook Gnocchi

Boil water in a saucepan, add salt. Add uncooked gnocchi to the salted water and cook until the gnocchi floats. Drain in a colander or use a slotted spoon to transfer to a plate.

Step 7: Prepare the Sauce & Add Gnocchi In

For the sauce, heat the olive oil in a large skillet with the spices and pour over the gnocchi. Cook over medium high heat until slightly golden brown. Sprinkle over the thyme leaves and serve.

Cooking Tips

Making this sweet potato gnocchi might seem easy, but here are a few extra tips and tricks you might want to have handy to nail the recipe.

  • If you’re making homemade gnocchi for the first time, I would recommend using a potato ricer to work with the potato flesh.
  • I used all purpose flour for this gnocchi recipe, but you can also use wheat flour if you want to try out a healthier variant.
  • Remember to cook the sweet potatoes all the way through- regardless of whether you’re baking them in a sheet pan or boiling them in a large pot.
  • Traditional gnocchi is usually served in a sage butter sauce, and if you’ve got some fresh sage, you can totally do that with this homemade sweet potato gnocchi too.
  • Butternut squash can also be a great addition to this gnocchi recipe.

Variations

  • To add some more flavor to your homemade sweet potato gnocchi, I would recommend using some fresh herbs and Kosher salt.
  • You can also add garlic and sprinkle some freshly ground black pepper, grated Parmesan cheese or ricotta cheese towards the end, right before you serve.

Storage Instructions

  • Fridge: If you have any leftovers, you can actually store them for later too. I would not recommend refrigerating or freezing fresh gnocchi though.
  • Freeze: Remember to cook it first, allow it to cool down and then freeze it in a baking sheet lined with parchment paper until it is solid.
  • Containers: After that, transfer it to a freezer safe container or bag, and you’ll have your frozen gnocchi ready to be used!

What To Serve With This Recipe

  • Garlic Bread: Serve warm garlic bread or garlic knots on the side. The garlic-infused butter and crispy texture of the bread pair perfectly with the soft and pillowy gnocchi.
  • Green Salad: A fresh green salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and a light vinaigrette dressing adds a refreshing contrast to the richness of the gnocchi.
  • Roasted Vegetables: Roast a medley of vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, carrots, and cauliflower. The caramelized flavors of the roasted vegetables complement the sweetness of the sweet potato gnocchi.
  • Chicken Tenders or Sausage: Serve chicken breasts or sausages alongside the gnocchi for added protein. The savory flavors of the meat complement the hearty texture of the gnocchi.
  • Creamy Sauce: Top the sweet potato gnocchi with a creamy sauce such as Alfredo or Gorgonzola cream sauce. The richness of the sauce enhances the flavors of the gnocchi and adds a luxurious touch to the dish.

FAQ’S

How Do I Fix Sticky Gnocchi Dough?

To avoid a sticky gnocchi dough, I would recommend keeping two simple steps in mind.
First, make sure you’re working with cooled potatoes. Give the sweet potatoes a bit of time to cool down after they’re out of the boiling salted water, and then peel them and rice them.
Also, add more flour if necessary. You can also melt butter and add some of it to the gnocchi mixture if you want to.

Can I Make this Vegan?

You sure can! I’ve used olive oil for this homemade gnocchi recipe, but you can use dairy free butter, and skip adding the egg while making gnocchi.

sweet potato gnocchi

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Additional Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 57 minutes

This sweet potato gnocchi is cheesy, creamy and super easy to make- perfect for anyone who's making their own gnocchi for the first time.

It is a great recipe to try out on a weekend when you're in the mood for a good pasta but don't want to indulge.

It truly is a restaurant-worthy dish you need to try out!

Ingredients

  • 1 large sweet potato
  • 1 egg
  • 1-2 ounces cheese
  • 1 cup of flour + a little for topping
  • 3 tbsp olive oil,
  • 2-3 sprigs thyme
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper blend
  • 1 tsp. coriander
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt, pepper

Instructions

How to Make Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Once you have all your ingredients ready, here's how to make the homemade sweet potato gnocchi from scratch.

Step 1: Bake Sweet Potatoes or Steam Them Until Fork Tender

Wash sweet potatoes and cut into finger-thick circles. Bake the potatoes in the oven or steam them. you will need about 50 minutes. The slices should pierce easily with a fork.

Step 2: Peel and Mash the Potatoes with a Fork

Peel the potatoes from their skins. Mash the potato slices with a fork in a large bowl.

Step 3: Add Seasonings & Knead Until Soft Dough Forms

Add salt, pepper, egg, grated cheese. Pour in flour. Knead into a soft, tender dough.

Step 4: Roll the Dough into a Thick Rope

Roll out a piece of dough into a finger-thick rope on a lightly floured surface.

Step 5: Cut into 1 inch Length Pieces

Cut into 1-inch lengths using a sharp knife and shape with a fork or gnocchi board. We used a metal vegetable slicing holder - it's very handy.

Step 6: Add to Boiling Water and Cook Gnocchi

Boil water in a saucepan, add salt. Add uncooked gnocchi to the salted water and cook until the gnocchi floats. Drain in a colander or use a slotted spoon to transfer to a plate.

Step 7: Prepare the Sauce & Add Gnocchi In

For the sauce, heat the olive oil in a large skillet with the spices and pour over the gnocchi. Cook over medium high heat until slightly golden brown. Sprinkle over the thyme leaves and serve.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 430Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 364mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 12g

More Recipes to Try

If you enjoyed this sweet potato recipe, and are inspired to try some more healthy recipes, here are a few good ideas to try out.

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