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Homemade Gnocchi With Pesto

INGREDIENTS

For the Gnocchi:
1 kg potatoes (starchy variety, like Russet or Yukon Gold)
250 g all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon salt

For the Pesto:
50 g fresh basil leaves
50 g Parmesan cheese, grated
30 g pine nuts
1-2 cloves garlic
100 ml extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

DO YOU WANT AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE OF MAKING THIS IN ITALY?

HOW TO MAKE GNOCCHI WITH PESTO

Prepare the Gnocchi
Cook the potatoes:
Boil the potatoes with their skins on until tender (about 20-30 minutes). Drain, let them cool slightly, then peel the skins off while still warm.
Pass the peeled potatoes through a potato ricer or mash them well until smooth.
Make the dough:
On a clean work surface, create a mound with the mashed potatoes, and make a well in the center. Add the flour, egg, and salt into the well.
Gently mix everything together, incorporating the flour into the potatoes. Be careful not to overwork the dough—it should be soft but not sticky.
Shape the gnocchi:
Divide the dough into smaller portions and roll each into long ropes, about 1.5 cm thick.
Cut the ropes into small pieces, around 2 cm each. To shape them, press each piece lightly with a fork or your thumb to create ridges (this helps the sauce stick).
Cook the gnocchi:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the gnocchi in batches; they are done when they float to the surface (about 2-3 minutes). Scoop them out with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a dish.

 

Prepare the Pesto:
Blend the ingredients:
In a food processor, blend the basil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan until roughly chopped.
With the machine running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until you get a smooth, creamy consistency.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble the Dish:
Toss the gnocchi with the pesto:
Once the gnocchi are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl and gently toss them with the freshly made pesto sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little pasta cooking water to loosen it up.
Serve:
Garnish with extra Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

Buon Appetito!