Sweet Potato Gnocchi Sage Butter (Printable Version)

Soft sweet potato gnocchi paired with crisp sage leaves and golden brown butter for a flavorful Italian-inspired dish.

# What You Need:

→ For the Gnocchi

01 - 1.1 lbs sweet potatoes (about 2 medium)
02 - 1 large egg, lightly beaten
03 - 1¼–1⅔ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
04 - ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
05 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
06 - ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (optional)

→ For the Sage Butter

07 - ⅓ cup unsalted butter
08 - 12 fresh sage leaves, whole or sliced
09 - ¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt
10 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ For Serving

11 - ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Prick sweet potatoes with a fork, place on a baking tray, and roast for 40–45 minutes or until very tender. Allow to cool slightly, then peel and mash until smooth.
02 - Transfer mashed sweet potato to a large mixing bowl. Add egg, sea salt, black pepper, and nutmeg if using. Mix thoroughly.
03 - Gradually incorporate flour, stirring until a soft, slightly sticky dough develops. Add just enough flour to achieve a workable consistency.
04 - Dust work surface with flour. Divide dough into four pieces. Roll each into a rope approximately ¾ inch thick. Slice ropes into ¾ inch segments. Optionally, roll each gnocchi over the tines of a fork to create ridges.
05 - Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a gentle boil. Working in batches, add gnocchi and cook until they float to the surface, about 2–3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain well.
06 - Heat unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sage leaves and cook, swirling pan, until butter is golden and nutty and sage is crisp, around 2–3 minutes.
07 - Add drained gnocchi to the skillet. Toss gently to coat with sage butter. Season with flaky sea salt and additional black pepper as desired.
08 - Arrange gnocchi on plates and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Simple ingredients from pantry and fridge
  • Ready in about an hour for a special dinner
  • Naturally vegetarian and crowd-pleasing
  • Satisfies cravings for something cozy but not complicated
02 -
  • High in fiber thanks to sweet potatoes
  • Freezes well for make-ahead meals
  • Naturally vegetarian and adaptable for dietary needs
03 -
  • Always roast not boil sweet potatoes for drier flesh and fluffier gnocchi
  • Add flour gradually too much and the gnocchi go from dreamy to dense quickly
  • Do not crowd the pan when browning butter and sage let the flavors develop fully and keep a close eye butter can go from brown to burnt in seconds
  • Keep your work surface well floured when shaping the dough to avoid sticking
  • Roll gnocchi on the back of a fork for those signature grooves which help the sauce cling better