How To Make Handmade Pan Fried Gnocchi

Get ready to make a batch of irresistible handmade pan-fried gnocchi! This classic Italian dish is the ultimate comfort food.

With its dense texture, rich flavor, and satisfying bite, gnocchi is a dish you’ll fall in love with.

While it is often referred to as pasta, gnocchi is actually an Italian dumpling, traditionally made from potatoes and flour.

However, if you’re lucky enough to have the opportunity to eat a batch whipped up by an Italian Nonna, you’ll find ricotta cheese in the dough too.

This ingredient adds an extra layer of richness. And trust me, it’s outrageously delicious!

Gnocchi can easily take center stage as a hearty main course or shine as a side dish. No matter how you serve it, this dish is guaranteed to impress and satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

What does gnocchi taste like?

Homemade gnocchi is truly in a league of its own. When made from scratch, the difference in taste and texture is undeniable.

Just one bite of fresh, handmade gnocchi and you’ll never consider buying a store-bought version again!

This dish is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. It’s delightfully tender, and it’s subtle, mild flavor pairs beautifully with a wide variety of sauces.

If you want your gnocchi to be as tasty as it possibly can be, it’s important to be picky about the ingredients you use to make it.

Not all flour, potatoes, and cheese are created equal after all. And using high-quality versions of these ingredients will elevate this dish to new heights.

Start with an organic, all-purpose flour for optimal flavor and texture. Trust me, it makes a noticeable difference!

When it comes to potatoes, choose a good russet variety. They contain less moisture, which helps the dough maintain it’s shape and improves overall texture.

For the cheese, go for the very best quality Italian ricotta and parmesan that you can find. If you have an Italian import store in your area shop there.

There is a significant difference in the richness and authenticity of high quality cheese when compared to it’s more affordable counterparts.

And the flavor that they will impart to your gnocchi is exceptional.

Don’t forget the farm fresh eggs. They are a must for adding depth of flavor to your gnocchi dough.

When you select the ingredients for this dish with care, the result will be noticeable, and worth every penny too!

Are gnocchi hard to make?

Making handmade gnocchi may seem intimidating, but it’s actually much simpler than you might think.

While it does take quite a bit more time than grabbing a package of store-bought gnocchi, the process is far from complicated.

If you’re comfortable with basic cooking techniques, you’ll find that the difficulty level is quite manageable.

Mastering this dish is more about patience than technical skill. Overall, it’s preparation is pretty basic.

It can take some practice to hone the skill of rolling the gnocchi dumplings to create the signature ridges and indentations on them.

Don’t try to skip this step though. It’s an important feature of these tasty little potato dumplings. It helps them hold onto the sauce.

And once you get the hang of shaping them, it really becomes second nature.

The best part about making gnocchi is that it can be transformed into a really fun, interactive experience.

It’s a great way to spend time in the kitchen with loved ones. Get together one afternoon and turn out tasty gnocchi dumplings in mass with family and friends.

Or host a gnocchi making dinner party one evening. Everyone can come early and bond over shaping and cooking gnocchi together.

You can even share a bottle of wine or two while you work. It’s the Italian way!

So, don’t let the thought of making these amazing potato dumplings overwhelm you. With a few top-notch ingredients, a little patience, and a whole lot of love and laughter, everyone will be indulging in a delicious homemade dish in no time!

How to make handmade pan fried gnocchi

Here’s a breakdown of the steps of making handmade pan fried gnocchi to guide you through the process. Follow these steps and you’ll have a delicious dish in no time!

1. Prepare the dough:
The first step to making gnocchi is preparing the dough. It’s surprisingly easy! Simply place all of the ingredients in a stand mixer. Use the dough hook attachment to blend all of them together, until they form a ball and move away from the sides of the bowl.

2. Roll out the dough into a rope:
Once your dough is mixed, place it on a lightly floured surface. Use your hands to roll it into four long ropes about ¾ inch thick. This will help you create evenly sized pieces for your gnocchi.

3. Slice the dough into bite-sized pieces:
Cut your dough rope into bite-sized pieces (this is the gnocchi!).

4. Score each piece with a fork:
Now, score each piece using the backside of a fork. Set the piece of dough at the top of the tines of the fork. Use your fingers to gently roll it down the tines creating ridges in one side of the dumpling. As it rolls off the tines use your finger to create an indentation in the other side. This is the most challenging part of making gnocchi. It will take some patience to master. But you’ll get it.

5. Let the gnocchi rest:
Allow your gnocchi to sit and rest at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. This will firm the dough up a bit and make it easier to cook.

6. Boil the gnocchi:
Gently drop the dumplings into a large pot of boiling, salted water. When they float to the surface, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the pot.

7. Pan fry the gnocchi:
Heat some oil in a cast iron skillet and add the boiled gnocchi. Fry them until they are a nice golden brown and a little crispy on the outside. This step will create a contrast between the texture of the outside of the gnocchi and the tender inside.

8. Top with your favorite sauce:
Finally, toss your crispy pan fried gnocchi in your favorite sauce. Serve and enjoy!

PRO TIP: Don’t skip the scoring step. It’s a common misconception that scoring gnocchi is just for show.

But scoring these dumplings isn’t about making the dish look “fancy”— it’s more than aesthetics here.

This step helps the dumplings to hold onto the delicious flavor of the sauce they are served with, making the dish much tastier.

So, be sure to score them. It’s worth the extra effort and patience it takes to get the hang of this step.

Can you fry gnocchi without boiling it?

You absolutely must boil gnocchi before frying it—skipping this step will leave you with raw, undercooked dumplings.

Boiling the dumplings is how they are actually properly cooked. And it gives them that pillowy interior.

Once boiled, pan frying is an optional, extra step that I highly recommend. It is the secret to achieving a crispy, golden brown exterior.

And it makes the dish significantly more flavorful and satisfying.

You can even prepare the gnocchi ahead of time, and then fry them just before you serve them, if you like.

To do this, prepare and boil the dumplings, coat them lightly in oil, and refrigerate them until you’re ready to fry them.

This makes for an easy prepare ahead dinner that still tastes fresh and delicious when it hits the table.

Choosing sauce to top handmade pan fried gnocchi

Whether you’re in the mood for something light and fresh or rich and comforting, there are ENDLESS choices out there for sauce to complement your gnocchi.

One standout option, and one of my very favorite options too, is a creamy artichoke spinach sauce.

This amazing, velvety sauce is absolutely divine and will quickly become a go-to in your recipe rotation.

It’s made with your choice of plant-based milk; making it a lighter, healthier alternative to traditional heavy cream sauces, without sacrificing flavor.

You’ll find the recipe for it, along with the gnocchi recipe, at the bottom of this post.

But don’t stop there — each time you make this dish you can explore a different variety of fantastic sauces to top it.

Start with your favorites. And then branch out and experiment with a few you’ve never tried before.

Here are just a few options to consider:

• Tomato sauce: A classic, simple option that lets the gnocchi shine while adding that comforting, traditional flavor we all know and love.
• Creamy mushroom sauce: Earthy mushrooms and a creamy base make this sauce a perfect match for gnocchi.
• Butter garlic herb sauce: Rich and aromatic, this sauce is full of savory goodness.
• Basil pesto sauce: Fresh, fragrant basil pesto adds a burst of vibrant flavor that complements this dish perfectly.
• Alfredo sauce: Creamy, indulgent, and rich — this sauce is perfect when you’re craving something extra decadent.
• Pumpkin alfredo sauce: This indulgent sauce is the perfect option for topping handmade gnocchi in the fall season of the year.
• Bolognese sauce: For those who prefer a meaty option, bolognese is a satisfying choice. It brings a delightful depth of flavor to your dish.
• No cook pasta sauce: This sauce is light and delightful. It’s absolutely perfect for hot summer days.

Feel free to experiment with these sauces, and any others that catch your eye. Switch them up based on your mood, and the ingredients you have on hand.

The beauty of gnocchi is that it’s so versatile. It can be paired with almost any sauce, making it a dish you’ll never tire of!

Handmade pan-fried gnocchi from scratch may take a little bit of effort to master, but the end result is absolutely worth it.

With its tender interior, crispy exterior, and endless sauce possibilities, this dish is sure to impress every time you make it. It’s a comfort food you’ll keep coming back to.

So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and enjoy the satisfaction of creating this delicious Italian dish from scratch!

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This easy recipe for handmade pan-fried gnocchi will elevate your comfort food game! Perfectly crispy on the outside and delightfully soft on the inside — you can pair this dish with endless sauce options. Or make the tasty spinach artichoke sauce included in the recipe to top it. Be sure to save this recipe for your next Italian-inspired dinner night!

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