Description
Brown Butter Sweet Potato Gnocchi is a comforting and elegant dish combining the natural sweetness and vibrant color of roasted sweet potatoes with soft, pillowy gnocchi dough. Tossed in a nutty browned butter sauce infused with fresh sage, this recipe is easy to make from scratch with simple ingredients and promises a flavorful twist on classic gnocchi that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Gnocchi Dough
- 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 ½ pounds), roasted and mashed
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 to 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
Browned Butter Sauce
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Fresh sage leaves (optional), chopped or whole for frying
Optional Garnishes
- Grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese
- Toasted pine nuts
- Crispy sage leaves
Instructions
- Roast the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pierce sweet potatoes with a fork and roast whole on a baking sheet for about 45 minutes until soft. Once cooled, scoop out the flesh and mash it until smooth.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes with beaten egg, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually stir in flour until dough just comes together and remains soft. Avoid overworking.
- Shape the Gnocchi: Divide dough into portions. Roll each into a rope about ¾ inch thick, cut into bite-sized pieces. Lightly press each piece with a fork to create ridges.
- Cook the Gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook gnocchi in batches for 2-3 minutes until they float. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Brown the Butter Sauce: In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter, swirling until golden brown and fragrant. Add chopped sage if using. Toss cooked gnocchi gently in the sauce to coat evenly and serve immediately.
Notes
- Roasting intensifies sweet potato flavor and reduces moisture, improving dough texture.
- Add flour gradually to keep gnocchi light and tender; too much flour makes them dense.
- Handle dough gently to avoid tough gnocchi.
- Test cook a piece of gnocchi before cooking all to check dough consistency.
- Brown butter slowly over medium heat to avoid burning and develop nutty flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: sweet potato gnocchi, brown butter, homemade gnocchi, fall recipes, cozy dinner, easy pasta, gluten-free gnocchi, sage brown butter