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    Home > Our Favourites > Pan Fried Gnocchi

    Pan Fried Gnocchi

    Last updated May 19, 2021. Originally posted May 19, 2021 By Jyothi Rajesh Leave a Comment

    Recipe Video Print
    pan fried gnocchi cooked in skillet with text overlay
    pan fried gnocchi cooked in skillet with text overlay

    Pan fried gnocchi is gnocchi fried in skillet in garlic butter sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese. It only takes 15 minutes, a perfect weeknight dinner for busy days.

    fried gnocchi in garlic butter sauce in skillet
    Jump to:
    • Why pan fried skillet gnocchi is must try recipe
    • What type of gnocchi you can fry
    • Ingredients you’ll need
    • How to make pan fried gnocchi
    • FAQS
    • 📋Pan Fried Gnocchi

    Why pan fried skillet gnocchi is must try recipe

    1. Pan fried gnocchi is comfort food at its best.
    2. You’ll need 7 ingredients to make the dish.
    3. It only takes 15 minutes. Depending on the type of gnocchi you use you can skip boiling and pan fry it directly. See section “what type of gnocchi you can fry”
    4. It’s perfect for weeknight dinner.
    5. Pan fried gnocchi has amazing crispy with slight crunch on the outer and soft and pillowy inside. It’s simply yum!
    6. You can eat pan fried gnocchi loaded with parmesan cheese as it is or turn into complete meal by adding it to spinach and sun dried tomatoes tossed with gnocchi in the end or stir it with crumbled gorgonzola cheese and heavy cream.

    What type of gnocchi you can fry

    Depending on gnocchi you can skip boiling it in salted water and fry directly in butter. Any homemade fresh gnocchi (with potato or ricotta gnocchi) is great for frying directly. You don’t have to boil it first.

    If buying gnocchi from store, fresh pre-made gnocchi found in refrigerated pasta section (it’s fresh gnocchi) can be directly fried in butter.

    If you bought gnocchi from dried pasta section (it’s mostly vacuum packed, and not really fresh) I would recommend you boil first for a minute or two and then fry in butter.

    store bough gnocchi

    Ingredients you’ll need

    all ingredients for pan fried gnocchi
    • 1 ½ lb gnocchi (store bought or homemade)
    • 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 5 cloves garlic, minced
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
    • ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese
    • Fresh parsley or fresh basil for garnish

    Ingredients additions and substitutions

    1. Instead of all butter you can use mix of olive oil and butter, if you are someone who counts calories. But butter is the way to go!
    2. Parmesan cheese can be substituted with crumbled gorgonzola cheese and heavy cream mix to create a creamy outer coating on pan fried gnocchi.
    3. Add fresh rosemary sprigs or fresh sage leaves while frying gnocchi in butter for enhanced taste and flavor.
    4. I do NOT recommend garlic powder in place of fresh garlic. Fresh garlic adds tons of great flavor and taste to the dish.
    fried gnocchi in garlic butter sauce in skillet

    How to make pan fried gnocchi

    Pan fried gnocchi recipe is surprisingly easy to make.

    Note: gnocchi available in super market are two varieties. One is fresh pre-made gnocchi found in the refrigerated pasta section and other is dried gnocchi pasta which in dried pasta section.

    For fresh pre-made gnocchi bought from refrigerated pasta section (it’s fresh gnocchi) you can use it directly to pan fry it.

    If you use dried gnocchi from regular pasta section you must boil it first and then use it to pan fry.

    step by step picture collage of pan fried gnocchi
    1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Salt boiling water. Add gnocchi to boiling salted water. In a minute or two gnocchi will begin to float on the surface of water, indicates its cooked.
    2. Immediately remove gnocchi from boiling water using slotted spoon. Drain off all water and transfer to a bowl. Lay cooked gnocchi on kitchen paper towel until use to prevent it from sticking to one another.
    3. Melt butter in large skillet. Add minced garlic. Stir cook for a minute.
    4. Add salt and pepper to taste along with red chili flakes.
    5. Stir cook for few seconds.
    6. Add cooked gnocchi without overcrowding the pan.
    7. Cook on high heat for 5 to 8 minutes with constant stirring.
    8. Once gnocchi is crispy on all sides it’s ready. Pro-Tip: don’t fry them too long or the center will firm up and turn hard and you’ll loose the soft pillowy center.
    9. You can serve it as it is loaded with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley or basil for garnish or turn into a meal by tossing it with gorgonzola cheese and heavy cream (for creamy based gnocchi) or toss baby spinach and sun dried tomatoes to the skillet of crispy gnocchi in the end to make it a healthy meal, don’t forget to sprinkle some parmesan in the end.
    10. Best served immediately. Pan fried gnocchi tends to dry out quickly.
    fried gnocchi in garlic butter sauce in skillet

    FAQS

    Do I need to boil gnocchi before frying?

    Depending on the type of gnocchi you use you can skip boiling. Fresh homemade gnocchi or fresh pre-made gnocchi bought from refrigerated pasta section from super market can be directly fried. For more details check the section “what type of gnocchi you can fry”

    Can I use homemade gnocchi to make pan fried gnocchi?

    Yes, homemade gnocchi can be used. If using fresh homemade gnocchi, you don’t have to boil it first. Directly fry in butter.

    What type of gnocchi you can fry

    Depending on gnocchi you can skip boiling it in salted water and fry directly in butter. Any homemade fresh gnocchi (with potato or ricotta gnocchi) is great for frying directly. You don’t have to boil it first.
    If buying gnocchi from store, fresh pre-made gnocchi found in refrigerated pasta section (it’s fresh gnocchi) can be directly fried in butter.
    If you bought gnocchi from dried pasta section (it’s mostly vaccum packed, and not really fresh) I would recommend you boil first for a minute or two and then fry in butter.

    Why did my gnocchi turn hard?

    You probably fried gnocchi for too long. Don’t fry them too long or the center will firm up and turn hard and you’ll loose the soft pillowy center.

    Ways to serve pan fried gnocchi

    Enjoy pan fried gnocchi as it is. We love it as side with roast meat, as a snack and also as a meal.
    To make it a meal – toss in baby spinach and sun dried tomatoes to the skillet in the end and enjoy with fresh grated Parmesan cheese on top.
    Or make a creamy sauce with gorgonzola cheese and heavy cream mix and toss pan fried gnocchi in it. Serve along with garlic bread on side.

    fried gnocchi in garlic butter sauce

    MORE POTATO RECIPES TO TRY:

    Melting Potatoes

    Baked Potato Wedges

    Smashed Sweet Potatoes

    Instant Pot Garlic Butter Potatoes

    Savory Roasted Sweet Potatoes

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    15 minutes fried gnocchi in bowl
    fried gnocchi in garlic butter sauce in skillet

    📋Pan Fried Gnocchi

    Pan fried gnocchi is gnocchi fried in skillet in garlic butter sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese. It only takes 15 minutes, a perfect weeknight dinner for busy days.
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 3 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 781kcal
    Author: Jyothi Rajesh

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ lb gnocchi potato gnocchi is best
    • 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 5 cloves garlic minced
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
    • ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese
    • Fresh parsley or fresh basil for garnish

    Instructions

    • Bring a large pot of water to boil. Salt boiling water.
    • Add gnocchi to boiling salted water. In a minute or two gnocchi will begin to float on the surface of water, indicates its cooked.
    • Immediately remove gnocchi from boiling water using slotted spoon. Drain off all water and transfer to a bowl.
    • Lay cooked gnocchi on kitchen paper towel until use to prevent it from sticking to one another.
    • Melt butter in large skillet. Add minced garlic. Stir cook for a minute.
    • Add salt and pepper to taste along with red chili flakes. Stir.
    • Add cooked gnocchi without overcrowding the pan.
    • Cook on high heat for 5 to 8 minutes with constant stirring.
    • Once gnocchi is crispy on all sides it’s ready.
      Pro-Tip: don’t fry them too long or the center will firm up and turn hard and you’ll loose the soft pillowy center.
    • You can serve it as it is loaded with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley or basil for garnish or turn into a meal by tossing it with gorgonzola cheese and heavy cream (for creamy based gnocchi) or toss baby spinach and sun dried tomatoes to the skillet of crispy gnocchi in the end to make it a healthy meal, don’t forget to sprinkle some parmesan in the end.
    • Best served immediately. Pan fried gnocchi tends to dry out quickly.

    Video

    Notes

    To boil gnocchi or not: Depending on gnocchi you can skip boiling it in salted water and fry directly in butter. Any homemade fresh gnocchi (with potato or ricotta gnocchi) is great for frying directly. You don’t have to boil it first.
    If buying gnocchi from store, fresh pre-made gnocchi found in refrigerated pasta section (it’s fresh gnocchi) can be directly fried in butter.
    If you bought gnocchi from dried pasta section (it’s mostly vacuum packed, and not really fresh) I would recommend you boil first for a minute or two and then fry in butter.
    Don’t fry for too long: Don’t fry them too long or the center will firm up and turn hard and you’ll loose the soft pillow-y center.
     
    Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that nutritional information provided is only a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 781kcal | Carbohydrates: 124g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 1440mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 952IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 287mg | Iron: 13mg
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?I love to see your creations. Tag me on instagram @CurryTrail or tag #CurryTrail!
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    I'm Jyothi. This is my creative space where I share my stories on my culinary adventures. You will find a variety of recipes from across the world. Read more...
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