RP
RecipePoolDiscover your next favorite recipe
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Roundups
  • Meal Plans
  • Guides
  • About
Search
Browse
IngredientsCuisineDietMethodOccasion

Main Navigation

  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Roundups
  • Meal Plans
  • Guides
  • About

Browse Faster

IngredientsCuisineDietMethodOccasion
Follow RecipePool on Pinterest
RecipePool

1,784+ tested recipes

Thoughtfully tested recipes, seasonal inspiration, and cooking guides to help you make something delicious every day.

Get weekly recipe inspiration

Explore

  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Roundups
  • Seasonal
  • Products
  • Meal Plans
  • Guides
  • Ingredients

Browse By

  • Cuisine
  • Diet
  • Method
  • Occasion

Company

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Policy
  • Recipe Testing
  • Privacy
  • Terms

© 2026 RecipePool. All rights reserved.

HomeSearchCollectionsSaved
  1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Gnocchi
A top-down view of a delicious plate of Italian gnocchi with herbs and spices, ready to be enjoyed.

Pillowy potato dumplings from scratch

Gnocchi

Gnocchi

1h 15mMedium

Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

5 min

Total Time

1 hr 15 min

Servings

4

4 cups

Difficulty

Medium

Cost

Budget

$

Be the first to rate this recipe
Share

Gnocchi

Pillowy potato dumplings from scratch

Light, pillowy potato gnocchi that melt in your mouth with every bite. These tender dumplings are made with just potatoes, flour, and an egg for the perfect delicate texture.

30m

Prep Time

5m

Cook Time

75m

Total Time

4

Servings

Medium

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Italian CuisineSide DishVegetarian
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

January 28, 2024(Updated April 13, 2026)

Great gnocchi should be feather-light and tender, not dense and gummy. The keys are using the right potatoes, keeping the dough dry, and handling it as little as possible.

Why This Recipe Works

Baking rather than boiling the potatoes keeps them dry, which means less flour is needed. Less flour equals lighter, more tender gnocchi that practically dissolve on your tongue.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs russet potatoes
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour (approximately)
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Semolina flour for dusting
  • Nutmeg, a pinch

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bake whole potatoes at 400°F for 1 hour until tender. Halve and scoop out the flesh while still hot.

  2. 2

    Rice the hot potatoes onto a floured surface. Spread out to release steam and cool slightly.

  3. 3

    Sprinkle flour, salt, and nutmeg over the potatoes. Make a well and add the egg.

  4. 4

    Gently fold and knead until the dough just comes together—do not overwork.

  5. 5

    Roll into ropes, cut into 1-inch pieces, and roll each over a fork for ridges. Boil in salted water until they float, about 2-3 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping

  • Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil

  • Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette

Substitutions

Russet potatoesYukon Gold potatoes

Slightly creamier but still work well

EggOmit for eggless gnocchi

Use a touch more flour—the gnocchi will be slightly more delicate

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Olive Oil

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the olive oil matters

On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.

This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.

  • Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
  • Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure

A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.

Shop olive oil for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Use a potato ricer for the fluffiest, lump-free gnocchi.

  • Work the dough as little as possible—overworking makes gnocchi tough and gummy.

Storage

Freeze uncooked gnocchi on a sheet pan, then transfer to a bag for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Cook frozen gnocchi directly in boiling water—no need to thaw.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (45mg) · 4 servings

Calories280
LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein8g
Carbohydrates2g
Fat56g
Fiber350mg
Sugar3g
Sodium1g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my gnocchi gummy?
Too much flour or too much kneading. Use starchy russet potatoes and handle the dough minimally.
Can I use sweet potatoes?
Yes, but they are wetter—you will need more flour and the gnocchi will be denser.

Explore More

More Italian RecipesMore Side DishVegetarian RecipesBaking Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

Some product links on this page may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate RecipePool earns from qualifying purchases.

Related Recipes

A close-up view of freshly prepared dumplings arranged neatly in a steaming tray near a window.

Dumpling Wrappers

55 min

Close-up of freshly baked dinner rolls arranged neatly on a wooden plate indoors.

Dinner Rolls

130 min

Mouth-watering dessert featuring fresh raspberries and cream on a glazed pastry, perfect for a sweet treat.

Brioche

245 min

Golden flaky pie crust with crimped edges

Pie Crust

75 min

Flaky puff pastry layers in cross-section

Rough Puff Pastry

150 min

High angle of raw homemade pasta nests on floured wooden board in kitchen

Fresh Pasta Dough

53 min

You Might Also Like

A close-up view of freshly prepared dumplings arranged neatly in a steaming tray near a window.
VeganDairy-Free
Medium

Asian

Dumpling Wrappers

55 min8 servings
View Recipe

Dumpling Wrappers

55 min•Medium
Close-up of freshly baked dinner rolls arranged neatly on a wooden plate indoors.
Vegetarian
Easy

Dinner Rolls

2h 10m16 servings
View Recipe

Dinner Rolls

2h 10m•Easy
Mouth-watering dessert featuring fresh raspberries and cream on a glazed pastry, perfect for a sweet treat.
Vegetarian
Hard

French

Brioche

4h 5m10 servings
View Recipe

Brioche

4h 5m•Hard
Golden flaky pie crust with crimped edges
Vegetarian
Medium

French

Pie Crust

1h 15m8 servings
View Recipe

Pie Crust

1h 15m•Medium
Flaky puff pastry layers in cross-section
Vegetarian
Medium

French

Rough Puff Pastry

2h 30m8 servings
View Recipe

Rough Puff Pastry

2h 30m•Medium
High angle of raw homemade pasta nests on floured wooden board in kitchen
Vegetarian
Medium

Italian

Fresh Pasta Dough

53 min4 servings
View Recipe

Fresh Pasta Dough

53 min•Medium
See more Italian recipes →