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Chef John's Potato Gnocchi

Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪 Italian 🇮🇹 Sugar-FreeVegetarian 🥦Halal 🕌Kosher ✡️Pescatarian 🐟

Chef John's Potato Gnocchi turns a single russet potato into light, pillowy dumplings that soak up marinara beautifully. The delicate texture, gentle potato flavor, and touch of Parmigiano-Reggiano make it a cozy choice for a weeknight dinner or a simple date-night dish. Expect tender bites with ridges that hold sauce in every nook.

  • Prep40 mins
  • Cook10 mins
  • Serves2
  • DifficultyMedium
Chef John's Potato Gnocchi
  1. 1

    Microwave the potato on high until fully cooked, about 7 minutes, depending on its size.

  2. 2

    Split the potato and scoop out the flesh. Press the flesh through a strainer with the back of a wooden spoon to get a granular texture. Add a pinch of salt and let it cool for about 10 minutes.

  3. 3

    Add the beaten egg to the potato and stir with the tines of a fork, trying not to mash the potato. Add about 1/3 cup flour and keep stirring gently with the fork until the mixture begins to come together. You may need another pinch or two of flour. Fold the mixture with a spatula until the dough forms a mass, adding flour as needed. Using your fingers, knead the dough gently to form a ball for about 10 seconds.

  4. 4

    On a floured surface, shape the dough into a thick log. Cut the log into four pieces. Using your fingertips, gently roll each piece to form a snake or long rope of dough, starting from the center and rolling toward the ends until the dough is about 1/2 inch thick.

  5. 5

    Cut each rope into 1/2-inch pieces, then quickly roll each piece down the back of a fork’s tines to create ridges.

  6. 6

    Warm the marinara sauce in a skillet while you cook the gnocchi.

  7. 7

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Lower to a simmer and add the gnocchi. As soon as they float to the surface (about 30 seconds), cook for an additional 14 seconds. Transfer them with a slotted spoon to the pan with the sauce. Stir until coated.

  8. 8

    Serve topped with grated cheese.