Sweet Potato Gnocchi With Brown Butter And Sage

Homemade sweet potato gnocchi with brown butter and sage. Once you made your first homemade gnocchi you will never go back to store bought gnocchi again! This recipe makes light, pillowy gnocchi tossed in a delicious nutty brown butter sauce topped off with crispy sage.

Jump to:

• 💭The inspiration
• ❤️Why you will love this recipe
• ❓What are gnocchi?
• ❓By hand or with the kitchen aid?
• 🥣Equipment
• 📝The Ingredients
• 📝How to make sweet potato gnocchi with brown butter and sage
• 🍴Serving Suggestion
• 🥄Storage
• 💭Frequently asked questions
• More savory recipes you might like
• 📖 Recipe
• Ingredient Notes:
• Kneading options:
• Never miss a recipe!

While making your own pasta may seem like a daunting task, let me assure you that it is a simple process that is totally worth it. No matter what kind of pasta you want to make, the fresh one is always better than the store-bought one.

💭The inspiration

During my childhood we spent some time in Italy. I can especially remember our Italy holidays 10 years ago. We stayed in Italy for several weeks visiting different cities. For dinner we always went to a local "Grotto" where I ordered gnocchi with melted butter and sage nearly every single time. This year I wanted to switch things up and elevate this traditional, rustic recipe to a dish that will blow your mind!

❤️Why you will love this recipe

• Perfectly balanced flavor: The sweet potato gnocchi has a delicate sweetness that pairs perfectly with the savory brown butter and sage sauce. Every bite is a perfect balance of flavors.
• Easy to make: With just a few simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe is easy to make at home. You don't need any fancy equipment or techniques to create delicious homemade gnocchi.
• Versatile: This dish can be served as a main course or as a side dish. It's a great option for a family dinner or a dinner party.
• Simple cooking process: Once the gnocchi dough is made, simply boil the gnocchi until they float to the surface and remove with a slotted spoon. The brown butter sauce is quick and easy to make, and the dish can be assembled in minutes.

With its delicious flavor and easy preparation, this sweet potato gnocchi with sage-infused brown butter sauce is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.

If you love this pasta recipe you should also try my pumpkin ravioli recipe.

❓What are gnocchi?

Gnocchi are an Italian pasta. The classic version is made out of potatoes. For the dough you mix mashed potatoes, flour and eggs. There are many new versions out there with sweet potato, ricotta, cauliflower, etc.

When it comes to sauces you have a ton to choose from. During my trips to Italy most restaurants served them with melted butter and sage. Thick sauces like a tomato sugo, a vegetable sauce or a cheesy sauce. My dad especially loves a gorgonzola sauce.

❓By hand or with the kitchen aid?

This recipe can be made with a kitchen aid or by hand. I personally prefer doing it by hand as you can feel the dough and that way can feel when you should stop and wont over knead the dough. Also I find kneading a dough by hand suuuper therapeutic.

🥣Equipment

You'll only need a few basic kitchen tools and equipment.

• Oven: You'll need an oven to bake the sweet potatoes until they're tender and fully cooked. An oven with a temperature control feature will allow you to set it to the right temperature for this recipe.
• Potato masher or potato ricer: You'll need a tool to mash the potatoes up until they're smooth. A fork can be used instead.
• Kitchen machine with dough hook (optional): You can use a kitchen machine with a dough hook to knead the dough for your gnocchi. This will save time and effort compared to hand kneading.
• Dough scraper: You'll need a dough scraper to cut the gnocchi dough into pieces.
• Baking sheet and parchment paper: This will be needed to bake the potatoes but also for easy storing of the gnocchi before you cook them. A baking sheet lined with parchment paper will keep the gnocchi from sticking to the surface and make it easy to transfer them to the boiling water.
• Slotted spoon: You'll need a slotted spoon to remove the gnocchi from the boiling water once they float to the surface.
• Small skillet: You'll need a small pan to melt the butter for the brown butter and sage sauce. A light-colored pan will allow you to see when the butter starts to turn light brown.

📝The Ingredients

• Sweet potatoes: These are the star ingredient of the dish and give the gnocchi its unique texture and flavor. As sweet potatoes come in many different sizes I gave you a specific measurement and not an amount of potatoes in this recipe. Try to get near that number, it doesn't have to be exact.
• Eggs: The eggs are added to the mashed sweet potatoes to help bind the dough together and give it structure.
• Flour: Flour is added gradually to the sweet potato and egg mixture to form the gnocchi dough. Both all purpose flour or spelt flour work for this recipe. I did not test any other flours.
• Butter: The base of the sauce with butter, which is melted until it turns a light brown color and has a nutty aroma.
• Sage: A handful of fresh sage leaves are added to the melted butter to infuse the sauce with its earthy, herbal flavor.

All of these ingredients come together to create a deliciously unique and flavorful dish that's perfect for impressing dinner guests or enjoying on a cozy night in.

📝How to make sweet potato gnocchi with brown butter and sage

Here is a quick overview of the recipe steps. Please read the recipe card for the full instructions.

1. Bake and mash sweet potatoes with eggs to make gnocchi dough.
2. Knead in flour and let dough rest.
3. Roll and cut dough into gnocchi shapes.
4. Boil gnocchi until they float to the surface.
5. Melt butter until light brown, then add fresh sage leaves.
6. Combine butter sauce with cooked gnocchi and serve.

You can make your gnocchi look pretty by rolling them over the back of a fork or by using a gnocchi paddle like the one I use).

🍴Serving Suggestion

This is a hearty and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with some complementary sides. Here are some serving suggestions:

• Top the gnocchi with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese or pecorino Romano cheese for an extra savory flavor.
• Serve it alongside a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to balance out the richness of the sauce.
• Roasted Brussels sprouts, sautéed kale, or garlic roasted broccoli are all great vegetable options that pair well with this dish.
• A glass of crisp white wine or a light-bodied red wine would be a perfect accompaniment to this flavorful meal.

🥄Storage

The cooked gnocchi can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply boil them in salted water for 1-2 minutes until heated through.

If you have extra gnocchi that you'd like to save for later, they freeze well. After cutting and shaping the gnocchi, lay them out on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place them in the freezer until frozen. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. To cook from frozen, simply boil them in salted water for 3-4 minutes until they float to the surface.

💭Frequently asked questions

Q: How do I know if the sweet potatoes are fully cooked?

A: How do I know if the sweet potatoes are fully cooked?

Q: Can I freeze the gnocchi?

A: Yes, you can freeze the gnocchi by laying them on a baking sheet and placing them in the freezer until frozen solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Q: Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?

A: Yes, you can use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes to make classic gnocchi.

Q: Can I use dried sage instead of fresh sage?

A: Yes, you can use dried sage instead of fresh sage, but fresh sage will provide a stronger flavor.

Q: Can I use gluten-free flour for the gnocchi?

A: I have not tested gluten-free flour for this recipe. It will probably change the doughs consistency. I would love to hear how it went if you try using gluten-free flour.

Q: How long does it take to boil the gnocchi?

A: It takes about 2-3 minutes for the gnocchi to cook in boiling water.

More savory recipes you might like

📖 Recipe