Patrick Oconnell
Gnocchi is a versatile Italian pasta dish that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including boiling, baking, and sautéing. One popular method is to cook the gnocchi in boiling water and then sear it in a hot skillet to give it a nice crispy texture. Gnocchi goes well with various ingredients and sauces, such as tomato-based sauces, pesto, cream-based sauces, or simply sautéed in butter with herbs and cheese. For a cheesy gnocchi dish, you can follow a recipe like the Cheesy Gnocchi Florentine, which involves cooking gnocchi with Italian sausage, shallots, garlic, Italian seasoning, canned tomatoes, half & half, and spinach, and then sprinkling mozzarella cheese on top. Alternatively, you can create your own combination of cheese and other ingredients to suit your taste.
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What You'll Learn
Boil the gnocchi
To cook pre-made gnocchi, start by bringing a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. It is important to use a large pot so that the gnocchi has enough room to cook properly. Add a generous amount of salt to the water to enhance the flavour of the gnocchi.
Once the water is boiling, carefully add the gnocchi to the pot. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot, which can cause the gnocchi to stick together. Stir the gnocchi occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
The gnocchi will be ready in just a few minutes. You'll know they're done when they float to the top of the pot. This usually takes around 3 to 4 minutes, but may vary depending on the size and thickness of your gnocchi. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
When the gnocchi are almost done, you can start heating a sauté pan over medium-high heat. You can then drain the gnocchi and add them to the pan to sear and crisp them up. Alternatively, you can simply drain the gnocchi and serve them with your favourite sauce.
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Drain and add sauce
Once the gnocchi is cooked, drain the water and add the pasta to your chosen sauce. If you're using a tomato-based sauce, toss the gnocchi in the sauce and serve immediately. You can finish with a drizzle of olive oil and some freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
If you're using a butter-based sauce, melt the butter in a separate pan and add some herbs like thyme or sage. You can then add the cooked gnocchi to the sauce and toss to combine. Again, you can finish with some grated Parmesan cheese.
For a cheese sauce, you can use a combination of mozzarella, Parmesan, and cream cheese. Simply stir the cheese into the sauce until melted and combined. You can also add some baby spinach at this stage if you like. Finally, add the cooked gnocchi to the sauce and stir to combine.
If you're making a pesto sauce, you can either toss the cooked gnocchi in the pesto or serve the pesto on the side as a topping. A simple toss is perfect, but if you want a lighter coating, you can add the pesto a little at a time until you get the desired coverage.
Remember, when cooking the gnocchi, it's important not to overcook it. Drain the gnocchi as soon as it floats to the top of the pot and add it directly to your chosen sauce.
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Grate cheese on top
Gnocchi is a versatile dish that can be cooked in several ways, including baking, boiling, and sautéing. It can be paired with a variety of sauces, such as tomato-based sauces, cream-based sauces, pesto, or simply sautéed in butter with herbs and cheese.
One popular way to cook gnocchi is to first boil it in salted water and then toss it into a hot skillet to give it a nice sear. This is a great way to cook store-bought, pre-made gnocchi. After boiling the gnocchi, you can drain the water and add the gnocchi to a preheated pan with butter and garlic. Sauté the gnocchi until it is golden, and then grate your desired cheese on top. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as Parmesan, mozzarella, or cheddar. Stir the gnocchi to ensure the cheese melts and coats each piece, and then serve immediately.
If you prefer a crispier gnocchi, you can skip the boiling step and add the gnocchi directly to the hot butter or oil in the pan. This will give the gnocchi a nice crispy texture. You can also add other ingredients to the pan, such as shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes, to enhance the flavor.
For a more indulgent dish, you can create a mac and cheese gnocchi by making a béchamel sauce with butter, flour, and milk, and then adding in your choice of cheeses. Stir in the gnocchi, top with additional cheese, and bake in the oven until melted and golden.
Gnocchi is a delicious and versatile dish that can be easily customized to your taste preferences. Whether you choose to boil, sauté, or bake your gnocchi, adding grated cheese on top will surely take your dish to the next level.
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Serve with meat or seafood
Gnocchi is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of meats and seafood. Here are some ideas for how to serve gnocchi with meat or seafood:
Meat
Gnocchi can be served with a variety of meats, such as beef, chicken, or Italian sausage. For example, you can make a ground beef gnocchi with a creamy tomato sauce and parmesan cheese. Simply brown the ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium-high heat, then stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, cream, and the gnocchi. Let the mixture bubble, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Finally, stir in the parmesan and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Another option is to serve gnocchi with a chicken dish, such as chicken Milanese, chicken parmesan, chicken marsala, or simple chicken meatballs. Gnocchi also goes well with Italian sausage, whether in a tomato sauce or a cream-based sauce.
Seafood
Gnocchi also pairs well with seafood. You can make a seafood gnocchi by combining soft potato gnocchi with mussels, clams, shrimp, and squid, and adding a bit of tomato paste for colour, creaminess, and extra flavour. Start by cleaning and preparing the mussels and clams, then sautéing the squid and shrimp in a pan with oil, salt, and garlic. Once the seafood is cooked, add the tomato paste and cooking water, and then boil the gnocchi according to the package instructions.
Alternatively, you can serve gnocchi with seared scallops, whole baked salmon filet, baked cod, or garlic butter shrimp. Gnocchi is also delicious when served with a simple red tomato sauce or pesto, which can be paired with a variety of seafood dishes.
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Store leftovers
Storing leftover cooked gnocchi:
It is best to store leftover cooked gnocchi in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Gnocchi can be kept in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. To store, it is recommended to first allow the cooked gnocchi to cool to room temperature. Then, place the gnocchi in a container and toss with a small amount of olive oil to prevent the gnocchi from sticking together. If the gnocchi has been cooked with sauce, it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. However, the gnocchi may become a little mushy.
Storing leftover uncooked gnocchi:
Uncooked gnocchi can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. If storing in the refrigerator, the gnocchi can be kept for around 1-3 days. For longer-term storage, it is best to freeze the gnocchi. To freeze uncooked gnocchi, first, shape the gnocchi and leave it to dry at room temperature for at least 45 minutes. Then, coat the gnocchi in flour and place them on a baking tray, making sure they do not touch. Put the tray in the freezer until the gnocchi is frozen solid, which may take up to three hours. Once frozen, transfer the gnocchi to an airtight container or sealable freezer bag. Label the container with the date and store the gnocchi in the freezer for up to six weeks.
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Frequently asked questions
Boil a large pot of lightly salted water. Add the gnocchi and cook until they float to the top. Drain the gnocchi and add to your sauce.
Gnocchi goes well with a variety of sauces. You can use a tomato-based sauce, pesto, or a cream-based sauce.
You can grate parmesan cheese on top of your gnocchi. You can also add mozzarella cheese to your gnocchi by sprinkling it on top or stirring it into your sauce.
Yes, you can bake or sauté your gnocchi. To sauté, fry your cooked gnocchi in butter or oil until golden.
