• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Curry Trail

Simple Flavorful Recipes For The Home Cook

  • Recipe Index
  • Side Dish
  • Chicken
  • About Me
Home > Our Favorites > Pan Fried Gnocchi

Pan Fried Gnocchi

Published: May 19, 2021

Jump to Recipe Rate this Recipe Print Recipe
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

Don’t forget to Subscribe to CurryTrail  Recipes below to get our newest recipes delivered straight to your inbox.

LOVE THIS RECIPE? KEEP IN TOUCH AND DON’T MISS OUT ON ANY OF CURRYTRAIL RECIPES! FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, TWITTER.

HAVE YOU TRIED ONE OF MY RECIPES? I’D LOVE TO SEE WHAT YOU’VE MADE!

TAKE A PICTURE AND USE THE HASHTAG #CURRYTRAIL ON INSTAGRAM SO I CAN SEE! I’LL DO A HAPPY DANCE IF YOU TRY MY RECIPE AND SHARE IT WITH US!

15 minutes fried gnocchi in bowl
fried gnocchi in garlic butter sauce in skillet
5 from 2 votes

📋Pan Fried Gnocchi

Jyothi Rajesh
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.
Prevent your screen from going dark
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
Prep Time 3 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 servings
Calories 781

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: 781kcalCarbohydrates: 124gProtein: 20gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 1440mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 8gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 952IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 287mgIron: 13mg
Did you make this recipe?Follow @CurryTrail and tag #CurryTrail to share your creation!

More Our Favorites

  • roasted sweet potatoes in tray
    Savory Roasted Sweet Potatoes
  • saucy cashew chicken cooked in a wok
    Cashew Chicken (Better-Than-Take-Out)
  • zucchini brownies stacked one on top of each other.
    Best Moist And Fudgy Zucchini Brownies
  • Easy Homemade Creamed Corn Recipe
18547 shares
  • 236
Previous
Refreshing Watermelon Juice
Next
Easy Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Reader Interactions

    5 from 2 votes

    Leave A Reply! Cancel reply

    Share your thoughts!
    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

    Recipe Rating




    Comments & Reviews

  1. Amy Breeding says

    January 13, 2024 at 6:07 am

    5 stars
    Tasty. So much flavor. Will make it again. Husband loved it. So easy to make.

    Reply
    • Jyothi Rajesh says

      January 13, 2024 at 10:26 pm

      So glad you and your husband loved the recipe Amy, thank you for sharing your feedback

      Reply
  2. Mary says

    January 21, 2023 at 5:56 pm

    5 stars
    It was very good easy to make. I will definitely be making it agIn

    Reply
    • Jyothi Rajesh says

      February 05, 2023 at 7:58 pm

      Glad you loved the recipe

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Jyothi - Author of Curry Trail.

Welcome, I'm Jyothi

My food philosophy is simple, fresh and full of flavors! I love ‘spicy’ food. In fact so much so that I can skip dessert for extra spicy savory food!

More About Me
Subscribe

Recipes In Your Inbox

Sign up to receive all our latest recipes straight to your inbox.

    🥗 Salad Recipes

    • healthy arugula beetroot and feta cheese salad on white plate
      Healthy Arugula Beet Salad With Feta Cheese
    • close up view of spinach and strawberry salad in a wooden bowl.
      10 Minutes Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
    • 3 bean salad in bowl
      3 Bean Salad
    • close view of Asian chicken salad
      Chinese Chicken Salad
    • pea salad with cheese, bacon and red onion in ceramic bowl
      Classic Pea Salad With Bacon And Cheese
    • classic egg salad in a bowl.
      Easy Classic Egg Salad Recipe

    🍲 Soup Recipes

    • chicken and gnocchi soup in a bowl.
      Chicken Gnocchi Soup with Bacon
    • spicy sriracha ramen noodles soup topped with soft-boiled eggs.
      20 Minutes Spicy Sriracha Ramen Noodles Soup
    • chicken detox soup in a pot.
      Healthy Immunity Boosting Chicken Detox Soup
    • leek and potato soup served in ceramic soup bowl with bacon
      Creamy Potato Leek Soup (with no added cream)
    • instant pot chicken noodles soup in white bowl
      Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
    • easy egg drop soup in bowl
      Easy Chinese Egg Drop Soup
    Featured on:
    Yummly Logo.
    Tastewise Logo.
    Plattershare Logo.
    parade Logo.
    Greatist Logo.
    Foodgawker Logo.
    Buzzfeed Logo.
    Subscribe

    Recipes In Your Inbox

      Curry Trail Submark Logo.

      Connect With me

      Categories

      • Starters/Appetizers
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch/Dinner
      • Main Dishes
      • Side Dish
      • Desserts

      About

      • About Me
      • Contact Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Accessibility
      • Latest
      ©2025, Curry Trail. All Rights Reserved. Accessibility About Privacy Policy
      Back To Top
      Design by Pixel Me Designs
      ×
      Subscribe

      Recipes In Your Inbox

      Sign up to receive all our latest recipes straight to your inbox.

        18547 shares
        • Pinterest
        • 236Facebook
        • Flipboard
        • Email

        Rate This Recipe

        Your vote:




        A rating is required
        A name is required
        An email is required

        Recipe Ratings without Comment

        Something went wrong. Please try again.