Description
Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi is a cozy and comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender, pillowy gnocchi in a rich, velvety pumpkin cream sauce. Perfect for autumn evenings, this easy-to-make recipe blends the natural sweetness of pumpkin with aromatic herbs and Parmesan cheese, delivering indulgent flavors in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh pumpkin puree (homemade or canned)
- 1 pound potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves or fresh thyme
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- A pinch of nutmeg
Instructions
- Prepare the Pumpkin Sauce: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Gently sauté minced garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add fresh sage leaves or thyme and cook briefly to release their aromas. Stir in pumpkin puree and heavy cream, whisking until combined. Let the sauce simmer gently, seasoning with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg to add warmth.
- Cook the Gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drop the gnocchi in small batches, cooking until they float to the surface (about 2-3 minutes). Scoop them out with a slotted spoon and transfer directly into the pumpkin sauce to absorb the flavors.
- Combine and Finish: Gently fold the cooked gnocchi into the warm sauce, coating each piece evenly. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and stir until melted and silky. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Optionally, drizzle browned butter and garnish with extra fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
- Fresh homemade gnocchi can enhance texture, but store-bought gnocchi saves time without losing flavor.
- Homemade pumpkin puree yields a thicker, richer sauce compared to canned puree.
- Adjust the cream quantity to get your preferred sauce consistency — thicker for coating, thinner if you like a more saucy dish.
- Season gradually and taste as you go to balance the pumpkin’s natural sweetness.
- Toast fresh sage or thyme in butter at the start for an aromatic flavor boost.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: creamy pumpkin gnocchi, pumpkin gnocchi recipe, autumn recipes, comfort food, easy Italian dinner
