This Sweet Potato Gnocchi Recipe is made with ricotta and parmesan cheeses with flour binding the dumplings together for the best homemade gnocchi, and then sautéed in butter and oil.
If you have never made homemade pasta, then you are in for a satisfying rich and delicious dumplings.
Be sure to try this Gnocchi with Sausage and Tomatoes Recipe too!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
Have you had homemade gnocchi before?  I’ve ordered them at a restaurant on several occasions and have always been amazed by how filling the little dumplings are. Once you make homemade pasta at home it’s hard to enjoy it any other way!
- Soft and pillowy, not hard and chewy like store purchased gnocchi.
- Melt in your mouth just like you would get at a top-notch restaurant.
- Easy to make! No special gnocchi boards or pasta making tools needed. Everything can be found in your kitchen.
- Simple ingredients; sweet potatoes, flour and cheese are the main ingredients.
EQUIPMENT AND INGREDIENTS NEEDED
If you are lucky enough to have authentic gnocchi board or potato masher, then be use to use those tools. However, you can use a plain cutting board and the tines from a fork to mimic the grooves typically seen on gnocchi.
Equipment
- Large Stock Pot
- Slotted spoon
- Large Baking Sheet
- Cutting Board
- Sharp Knife
- Fork
- Large Bowl
- Large skillet
Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes – cooked and mashed to a puree
- All Purpose Flour – for a gluten free dish you can use a 1:1 gluten free flour
- Ricotta Cheese – add to the rich soft pillow texture.
- Parmesan Cheese – buy the block style found in the refrigerator section of the grocery store and shred your own.
- Nutmeg – adds a warm nutty flavor.
TIPS
- To ensure light gnocchi is to take as much moisture out of the ricotta as you can. I put the cheese on several layers of paper towels and lightly pressed on top of the ricotta with more paper towels repeating the process a couple of times.
- Use the amount of flour listed in the recipe card as a guideline. In one of my batches I only used 2/3 cups of flour. You don’t want the dough too sticky, but go easy on the flour and add a couple of tablespoons at a time.
- Pictured is one portion out of the three that this recipe makes, so you can cook up just what you plan on using and make more at a different time. If the gnocchi is a side dish, 5-6 pieces per person is satisfying.
- Shape the gnocchi and freeze the dough if you don’t plan on serving all at once.
There is actually a really cool gnocchi board that you can use to form the grooves in the gnocchi., but you can also use a grater or the tines of a fork to make the same indentations. I think it kind of looks rustic with the grooves, and wish the shape would have been more prominent.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH SWEET POTATO GNOCCHI
Sweet Potato Gnocchi are rich and filling and don’t need much to accompany them. We ate them just out of the pan sautéed with a mix of oil and butter along with this air fryer pork tenderloin or baked turkey thighs.
MORE RECIPES WITH SWEET POTATOES TO TRY
If you love cooking with sweet potatoes, then be sure to try these recipes too!
- Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe – Classic holiday side dish.
- Sweet Potato Soup with Coconut Milk – creamy and delicious soup without any dairy.
- Breakfast Bowl with Sweet Potatoes – Hearty dish with sausage to keep your satisfied for hours.
- Sweet Potato Cake with Crumble Topping – A sweet treat for brunch or dessert.
Homemade Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Delicious gnocchi made with sweet potatoes. This homemade meal doesn't require any special tools. Tender and filling vegetarian dish.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups sweet potatoe flesh, mashed ( about 3 medium potatoes)
- 6 ounces ricotta cheese (I used low-fat), remove as much moisture possible
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- up to 1 1/2 cups of flour
- 1 tablespoons salt for boiling water for cooking
- Butter and olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, adding 1 tablespoon of salt.
- In a medium bowl mix sweet potatoes and ricotta cheese together mixing well. Add parmesan cheese and nutmeg. Mix in flour starting with a 1/4 cup. Add a tablespoon at a time until a soft dough forms.
- Divide dough into three portions. On a floured surface roll the dough forming a long rope that is about 1/2 in diameter. Cut each rope into 20 pieces. Add the indentation if you would like using a fork.
- Place gnocchi in boiling water (up to 10 at a time. Don't over crowd). Stir once to ensure gnocchi doesn't stick to the bottom. When the gnocchi floats to the top, let it simmer another minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a baking sheet. Repeat until all gnocchi is cooked and let cool.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. When melted, gently add gnocchi and saute until a light crust forms. Turn once. Keep warm and repeat process for remaining gnocchi.
Notes
Sweet Potato Puree
I prefer roasting my sweet potatoes. To follow this method, clean and pierce potatoes with a fork. Put on a baking sheet and roast at 400°F for 1 hour or until a fork and easily pierce the potato. Let cook and cut in half lengthwise. Remove pulp and mash with a potato masher or pulse in a food processor.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 270Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 1271mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 10g
Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.
Adapted from Epicurious, Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Sage.
Robyn
Hi Sandra,
I’ve seen you so much on Google+ and love your recipes but I don’t think I’ve visited your blog before! How gorgeous is it here – wow. You have so many beautiful dishes and I love that you include sinful ones as well. I’m going to start to do the same, lol.
I’m going to follow you on FB too so I don’t miss a thing.
Thanks so much for your kind words at Bobbi’s blog! Hope you’re having a great weekend.
Sandra Shaffer
Hi Robyn! Thank you so much for stopping by and for the sweet compliment! So glad to meet another awesome blogger. I’m looking forward to visiting your blog and FB page too 🙂
Jessica (Savory Experiments)
I struggle making the perfect gnocchi, yours looks amazing! Brilliant color!
Sandra Shaffer
Isn’t the gnocchi pretty! I love colorful tasty foods. I think you’ll have success with this recipe, Jessica.
Jen
I have never made homemade gnocchi before but have always wanted to. Your recipe looks delicious, can’t wait to try it!
Sandra Shaffer
It’s really easy to make, Jen! You can get real creative with a gnocchi dish too. Would love to see what you cook up!
Heidy @TheMccallumsShamrockPatch
Homemade Sweet Potato Gnocchi sounds remarkable! I am totally in love with this idea!!
Sandra Shaffer
Homemade gnocchi melts in your mouth. It’s the best, and the sweet potatoes are so colorful and tasty!
Hotly Spiced
I do love gnocchi. I don’t think I’ve ever had sweet potato gnocchi before. Your little pillows look so light and fluffy and the sweet potato really does add a beautiful colour to the dish xx
Sandra Shaffer
I love all things with sweet potatoes and using the pulp for gnocchi is just another tasty way to eat it up 🙂
Rachael
My dad lived in Italy for a while, and he love gnocchi, I think I will make this for him!
Sandra Shaffer
That would be a nice surprise for your dad! I hope he likes this sweet potato version of gnocchi!
GiGi Eats
Gnocchi reminds me of Top Chef because every chef on the show tends to EFF it up! Doesn’t look like you did though! 🙂
Sandra Shaffer
Haha! I can totally see why it might be difficult to make because you don’t want the dumplings to be heavy with flour. Those shows are so fun to watch!
Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen
I order gnocchi all the time at restaurants but have never made it. Your photos are encouraging me to give it a try! I’d love to try the sweet potato variety.
Sandra Shaffer
Yes, please mix up some dough of gnocchi! You’ll be amazed how simple it really is to make 🙂
Karen (Back Road Journal)
I love gnocchi when they are light as air which is hard to get even in a good Italian restaurant. I’ll be giving yours a try over the fall or winter…they will add pretty color to the plate on a cold gray day.
Sandra Shaffer
The orange color from the sweet potatoes really does brighten up a plate!
Tammy Northrup
I’ve never made homemade gnocchi. Definitely pinning your recipe to try sometime.
Sandra Shaffer
It’s an easy recipe, Tammy! Thank you for pinning!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama
I just love a good gnocchi, but I have never had sweet potato ones though! I need to make these asap. 😉
Sandra Shaffer
These are tasty, Carrie and I bet your little one would gobble these up too!
shelby
I have made homemade gnocchi before and I absolutely LOVE it 🙂 Yours lookds delicious!
Sandra Shaffer
Thank you, Shelby! I think I’ll be creating more dishes with gnocchi in it. It has become such a favorite!
Femke - Desired Cooking
Oh wow, I have never actually seen the process of gnocchi made before. Great to see those photos of what it looks like before it’s final form. That orange colour is so pretty, I will have to try these, such a great alternative to standard potatoes!
Sandra Shaffer
Once you take the mystery out of how to make a dish, it seems so easy to make. It’s fun to mix, roll and cut gnocchi dough 😉
Katerina
They look so easy and sound so delicious!I love all types of gnocchi!
Sandra Shaffer
Gnocchi is super filling too and I love that you can stretch the dumplings adding them so many meals!
Sarah
Drooling! I really need to try these asap! They look really fun to make.
Sandra Shaffer
I think this would be a fun to open a bottle of Chianti, gather everyone around a table and make gnocchi!
Mary Ellen
Sweet potato gnocchi are one of my faves! Yours look fantastic….
Sandra Shaffer
Thanks so much! Sweet potato is one of my favorites too!
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads
These look and sound incredible! Such a great recipe!
Sandra Shaffer
Thanks, Sheena!
Renee's Kitchen Adventures
I love homemade gnocchi. Like little soft pillows of heaven. I’ve only ever made some using yukon gold potatoes, so I would def love to give these a try!
Sandra Shaffer
I would love to hear what you think if you give the sweet potato gnocchi a try!
Norma Chang
You make making gnocchi doable thanks for the easy recipe.
Sandra Shaffer
My pleasure to pass along a tasty dish, Norma!
Liz
I haven’t made gnocchi in a long time, but we have a recipe coming up for French Fridays with Dorie. I’d love to try your sweet potato version, too! The color is amazing!
Sandra Shaffer
I love the way the gnocchi made with sweet potatoes just pop off the plate and says, eat me!
Choc Chip Uru
Your gnocchi rivals the restaurants, I definitely believe that! 😀
Delicious recipe!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Sandra Shaffer
Thank you, CCU! Well, since these gnocchi are made with my own hands, I will have to agree 😉
Sam
This looks amazing! I am going to make it tomorrow
Sandra Shaffer
Super! Hope you love them as much as we have, Sam! Thanks for swing by 🙂
Sheryl @Mama's Gotta Bake
Hi Sandra, gnocchi is something I love to eat in restaurants. It looks difficult to make but your recipe looks like it’s something I think I can do. I will give it a try and let you know how it comes out! Looks yummy!
Sandra Shaffer
Hi Sheryl! Gnocchi is way easier to make than I originally thought too. So darn good too 🙂