Description
A comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender potato gnocchi bathed in a rich and creamy pumpkin sauce seasoned with garlic, sage, and warm spices. Perfect for fall, this recipe combines smooth pumpkin puree and creamy dairy to create a luscious sauce that coats the gnocchi beautifully, making it an ideal vegetarian main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Gnocchi
- 1 pound potato gnocchi
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried sage
Garnish (optional)
- Additional Parmesan cheese
- Fresh sage leaves
Instructions
- Cook the Gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the potato gnocchi and cook according to package instructions until they float to the surface, indicating they are done. Drain the gnocchi and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until it becomes fragrant but not browned.
- Prepare the Pumpkin Sauce: Stir in the canned pumpkin puree and heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic, mixing well until the sauce is smooth and evenly combined.
- Season the Sauce: Add the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, ground nutmeg, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir thoroughly and let the sauce simmer gently for 5–6 minutes until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld together.
- Combine Gnocchi and Sage: Add the cooked gnocchi along with the chopped fresh or dried sage to the sauce. Toss everything together gently to coat the gnocchi evenly with the creamy pumpkin sauce.
- Finish Cooking: Continue to cook for an additional 2 minutes allowing the gnocchi to absorb some of the sauce flavors and heat through completely.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the gnocchi warm, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh sage leaves if desired for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a dairy-free alternative, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.
- Experiment with sweet potato gnocchi as a seasonal variation to add natural sweetness and color.
