Homemade potato gnocchi is delicious topped with all kinds of sauces.

This gnocchi is one of the dishes we started making as a result of their trip.

Also, it helps to put them through a potato ricer for a smoother consistency.

Potato Gnocchi being shaped on a floured countertop

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

Gnocchi goes well with practically any good pasta sauce.

What Are Gnocchi?

Although gnocchi are associated with pasta, they are not pasta.

A bowl of Potato Gnocchi made from scratch

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

Gnocchi are dumplings, most commonly made with potatoes.

Many varieties now exist, includingspinach ricottaand semolina gnocchi.

Why Use Egg Yolks, Not the Whole Egg?

Baked russet potatoes cooling on a rack to make Potato Gnocchi

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

For gluten-free gnocchi give ourCauliflower Gnocchia try.

Do not defrost frozen gnocchi before cooking.

They can go straight from the freezer into the simmering water, following the directions in Step 6.

Riced potatoes in a bowl to make a Potato Gnocchi recipe

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

Bake the potatoes in their skins until tender, about an hour.

Let cool on a rack, cutting them open to help cool and let more moisture escape.

Work with the potatoes when they are still warm.

How to make Potato Gnocchi dough with eggs, cooked mashed potatoes, and flour

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

Scoop out the potatoes from their skins.

Mash the potatoes and fluff them up with a fork into a large bowl.

(It works great to pass the potatoes through a potato ricer if you have one.)

Potato Gnocchi dough in a bowl for homemade gnocchi

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

Add the flour, beaten egg yolks, and pinch of salt.

Mix by hand until you have a nice pliable ball of dough.

Prepare a work area and dust it with flour.

Hands showing how to shape logs of dough to make potato gnocchi

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

It is very important to keep alight touchwhile you are rolling the dough!

Cut the tubes of dough into pieces about 1 inch long.

Simple Tip!

Rolling snakes of dough to make into homemade Potato Gnocchi

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

At this point, it’s possible for you to freeze the gnocchi ahead of time.

To cook, just put the frozen gnocchi into the simmering water for the next step.

Gently place the gnocchi, a few at a time, into the water.

Potato Gnocchi begin cut by hand on a floured board

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

Place the gnocchi on a warm serving dish.

Cook the remaining gnocchi the same way.

Top the gnocchi with your favorite (heated) pasta sauce and serve immediately.

Hands putting dimples in cut Potato Gnocchi and shaping them with a fork

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

How to cook Potato Gnocchi

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

Potato Gnocchi tossed with pesto sauce in a serving bowl

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas