Homemade Italian Gnocchi with Sage Brown Butter Sauce
Soft pillow-like potato gnocchi tossed in a nutty sage-infused brown butter sauce, perfect for a comforting Italian dinner. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs russet potatoes, all-purpose flour, egg for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds russet potatoes
- 1 1/2 cups, plus extra for dusting all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 12 fresh sage leaves
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pierce 2 pounds russet potatoes several times with a fork and microwave on high for 8-10 minutes until tender. When cool enough to handle, peel and pass potatoes through a ricer onto a clean work surface.
- Step 2: Spread the riced potatoes into a mound and make a well in the center. Crack 1 large egg into the well, add 1 teaspoon salt, and sprinkle 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour over the top.
- Step 3: Using your hands, gently mix the egg and flour into the potatoes until a soft dough forms, adding a little extra flour if the dough is too sticky. Divide dough into 4 portions.
- Step 4: Roll each portion into a 3/4-inch thick rope on a floured surface. Cut each rope into 1-inch pieces and press each piece gently with a fork to create ridges.
- Step 5: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the gnocchi in batches, dropping them into boiling water and removing with a slotted spoon when they float to the surface, about 2-3 minutes.
- Step 6: Meanwhile, melt 6 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 12 fresh sage leaves and cook the butter until it turns golden brown and smells nutty, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 7: Add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet and toss gently to coat in the sage brown butter. Serve immediately topped with 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Homemade Italian Gnocchi with Sage Brown Butter Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (30 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Homemade Italian Gnocchi with Sage Brown Butter Sauce?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep russet potatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Homemade Italian Gnocchi with Sage Brown Butter Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Homemade Italian Gnocchi with Sage Brown Butter Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Homemade Italian Gnocchi with Sage Brown Butter Sauce?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
