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A plate of browned sweet potato gnocchi garnished with rosemary, with two black forks on the side. A sprig of fresh rosemary and a glass bottle of olive oil are nearby.

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Sweet Potato Gnocchi are soft, pillowy dumplings made from roasted sweet potato, ricotta, and Parmesan, boiled and then crisped in a brown butter and thyme sauce; the dough can be shaped and frozen ahead for an easy make-ahead main or holiday side
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Servings: 8
Calories: 488kcal

Ingredients

For the Gnocchi:

  • 3 medium sweet potatoes pierced with a fork
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 3 ½ to 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour as needed

For the Brown Butter Thyme Sauce:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 5 tablespoons fresh thyme chopped
  • Freshly grated Parmesan for serving
  • Salt and pepper to taste
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Video

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id="0QIo8vaF" upload-date="2025-10-23T13:03:01+00:00" name="Healthy Sweet Potato Gnocchi" description="Easy sweet potato gnocchi that’s light, fluffy, and perfect for weeknight dinners." player-type="default" override-embed="default"]

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the pierced sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and roast for about 1 hour, or until very tender. Let them cool slightly, then scoop out the flesh and mash until smooth. Measure 3 cups and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
    3 medium sweet potatoes
  • Add ricotta, Parmesan, egg, and salt to the mashed sweet potatoes. Stir until combined.
    2 cups ricotta cheese, ⅔ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 2 teaspoons salt
  • Gradually mix in the flour, ½ cup at a time, kneading gently after each addition. Use just enough flour to form a smooth, soft dough that’s not sticky. Do not overwork the dough.
    3 ½ to 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • Lightly flour your work surface. Divide the dough into 8 portions. Roll each portion into a long rope about ½ inch thick. Cut into ½-inch pieces. Optional: Roll each piece over the back of a fork or gnocchi board to make ridges. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet dusted with flour.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
  • Drop the gnocchi into the boiling water. Once they float to the surface (about 2–3 minutes), remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a lightly greased baking sheet.
  • In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Let it cook for 4–5 minutes, swirling occasionally, until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
    1 cup unsalted butter, 5 tablespoons fresh thyme, Salt and pepper
  • Heat a clean skillet over medium-high heat. Add a portion of the brown butter and half of the gnocchi. Sauté for 5–6 minutes, or until golden and lightly crispy. Transfer to a warm oven 300°F (150C) while you sauté the remaining gnocchi.
  • Plate the gnocchi and drizzle with the remaining brown butter thyme sauce. Top with freshly grated Parmesan and enjoy warm.
    Freshly grated Parmesan

Notes

  • Roast the sweet potatoes rather than boiling them, and measure the mash to exactly 3 cups; a wet or mismeasured potato throws off the flour.
  • Add the flour half a cup at a time and stop as soon as the dough stops sticking; too much flour makes the gnocchi dense.
  • Handle the dough gently and boil a test gnocchi or two before the whole batch.
  • Pull the butter off the heat the moment it smells nutty, as it burns quickly after that.
  • To get ahead, freeze the shaped gnocchi raw on a floured tray, then bag them and boil straight from frozen, adding a minute or two.

Nutrition

Calories: 488kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 838mg | Potassium: 424mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 13318IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 258mg | Iron: 2mg
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