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    Home » Gnocchi

    Pumpkin Gnocchi Recipe (from Scratch)

    Published: Oct 6, 2020 · Modified: Feb 9, 2025 by Barbara Felicità Lucchini · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    Pumpkin gnocchi is a tasty first course, an easy recipe made with few ingredients. One above all: the Pumpkin. This is the recipe for pumpkin gnocchi without potatoes, dressed with sage butter sauce. 

    So first of all, use a sweet pumpkin, such a butternut squash or a kabocha squash. Then, if you want to get delicious, soft but compact homemade pumpkin gnocchi, you have to cook the pumpkin in the oven so as to make the pulp dry out.

    pumpkin gnocchi recipe 600x900 1

    Many add a boiled potato to the dough. If you use a high quality pumpkin (please NO pure canned pumpkin. Just...NO) and cook it in the right way, the potato is not necessary.

    We are going to show you how to shape pumpkin gnocchi using a gnocchi board. And finally how to properly cook gnocchi and season with a light sauce, not to alter their taste.

    pumpkin gnocchi recipe 600x900 2

    Rich in nutrients, including mineral salts and vitamins, the pumpkin is a typically autumnal vegetable that is harvested and used in the kitchen when it's completely ripe and the pulp is sweeter.

    This vegetable is excellent for preparing pumpkin soup, pasta dishes, such as pumpkin ravioli, or even a pumpkin semifreddo.

    pumpkin gnocchi recipe 600x900 7

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Storage
    • Tip
    • Recipe Card


    Ingredients

    Prep Time: 40 min | Cook Time: 40 min | Servings: 4

    For Pumpkin Gnocchi

    • 600 g (~2 ½ cups) cooked pumpkin pulp (that is, 1 pumpkin of about 1.3 kg /2.8 pounds). Use a sweet pumpkin, such a butternut squash or a kabocha squash
    • 300 g (2 cups) flour
    • 1 egg
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • freshly ground black pepper
    • a pinch of nutmeg

    For the Seasoning

    • 100 g (about 1 stick) unsulted butter
    • 5-6 fresh sage leaves
    • 1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano

    Instructions

    The Dough

    pumpkin gnocchi step 1

    Step 1) - First, you need to clean the pumpkin and cook it. Everyone has their own method. We are going to show you what we think removes water from the pumpkin as quickly as possible. Cut the pumpkin into thin slices then place them on a baking sheet pan covered with baking paper.

    Cook in a static oven preheated to 200°C (390F) for 15-20 minutes or in a ventilated oven at 180°C (350F) for 10-15 minutes, until they start to slightly dry. This way the pumpkin will dry out and will not release the water during the preparation of the pumpkin gnocchi dough.

    pumpkin gnocchi step 2

    Step 2) - Place the flour on a work surface and, using your hands or a spoon, create the classic fountain shape. Crush the pumpkin with a potato ricer directly on the flour. Add salt and black pepper and flavor with a pinch of nutmeg.

    pumpkin gnocchi step 3

    Step 3) - In a little bowl, beat the egg up. Give the mixture again a fountain shape and make a hole in the center then pour the egg. Incorporate it with a fork and work it until it's homogeneous.

    Make Gnocchi

    pumpkin gnocchi step 4

    Step 4) - Work the dough with your hands as little as possible and quickly. Give it the shape of a loaf. Now cut a piece of pumpkin dough with a dough scraper or a sharp knive.

    pumpkin gnocchi step 5

    Step 5) - Then with your hands make a long roll of dough as thick as a finger.

    pumpkin gnocchi step 6

    Step 6) - Slice the roll every 1,5/2 cm (about half inch), so as to have small cylinders.

    pumpkin gnocchi step 7

    Step 7) - Now slide the gnocchi one by one on a gnocchi board to give them the classic striped pattern on the surface (only if they are firm enough, otherwise forget it. They will be delicious all the same!). Homemade pumpkin gnocchi are ready!

    Keep reading and find out how to cook and season pumpkin gnocchi!

    pumpkin gnocchi step 8

    Here’s how to store pumpkin gnocchi: place them, well spaced, on a tray covered with a floured cloth or baking paper. Place the tray into the freezer. Wait for ⅔ hours then transfer them in food plastic bags and put them back into the freezer. Do NOT put freshly-made-still-soft gnocchi in plastic bags, otherwise they will stick to each other!

    Cook gnocchi still frozen in boiling water, directly from the freezer to the pasta pot. This way they will retain the softness and texture of homemade pumpkin gnocchi.

    The Cooking

    So, now it's time to cook the pumpkin gnocchi. Let's see how to do it.

    cooking pumpkin gnocchi step 1

    Step 1) - In a rather large pasta pot, bring the water to a boil and add the necessary coarse salt. When the water boils, add the gnocchi a few at a time. You see that the gnocchi, due to their weight, go to the bottom, especially if they are frozen. Cook over high heat.

    cooking pumpkin gnocchi step 2

    Step 2) - After 1 or 2 minutes, the dumplings come to the surface. They are cooked! As soon as they rise to the surface, take them with a skimmer slotted spoon and drain them well. Pumpkin gnocchi are cooked and ready to be seasoned. Let's see how to do it.

    Season and Serve

    Pumpkin gnocchi have a sweet, delicate flavor. The sauce you use to dress them should not overpower their flavor. Therefore, the best dressing for pumpkin gnocchi is a sauce made with butter, some fresh sage leaves and a sprinkling of Parmigiano.

    So, let's see together how to make sage butter sauce for pumpkin gnocchi.

    pumpkin gnocchi step 9

    Step 1) - In a saucepan, melt the butter and flavor it with the sage leaves on low heat for about 2 minutes.

    seasoning pumpkin gnocchi step 2

    Step 2) - In a bowl, put ⅔ tablespoons of sage butter sauce. When the gnocchi are cooked, place them in the bowl with the sauce, a few at a time.

    seasoning pumpkin gnocchi step 3

    Step 3) - Finish seasoning them by adding all the sauce. Then add a couple of tablespoons of grated Parmigiano cheese.

    seasoning pumpkin gnocchi step 4

    Step 3) - Stir gently, from bottom to top so as not to break them. You will see that the gnocchi are creamy, but, if they are not creamy enough, add a tablespoon of cooking water. Add a little Parmigiano on top before serving.

    pumpkin gnocchi recipe 600x900 8

    YOU MUST ALSO TRY:

    • How to Make Potato Gnocchi Recipe
    • Potato Gnocchi with Arugula Pesto and Gorgonzola Cheese
    • Italian Squash Casserole
    • Pumpkin Lasagna

    Storage

    You can store pumpkin gnocchi in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours before cooking.

    In any case, we suggest freezing them. Yes, it's better if you FREEZE them. It's a little trick. This way you can make pumpkin gnocchi even some days ahead of time and, when you want to eat them, you have just to take the gnocchi directly from the freezer and, without defrosting, cook them.

    Tip

    Pumpkin Gnocchi Dough is too Soft

    It may happen that the pumpkin gnocchi dough is a little soft. This is given by the water contained in the pumpkin. If the pumpkin is too watery and has not dried sufficiently during cooking, the dough will be soft. What to do? Here are some alternative ways of making pumpkin gnocchi with a soft dough.

    If the mixture is too soft to work on a surface, you can put it in a pastry bag. When it is time to cook them, drop small pieces of dough directly into the boiling water. Or take the dough with a teaspoon and drop it into the pot, with the help of another teaspoon.

    If, on the other hand, you have managed to cut the gnocchi but they are too soft and sticky to be striped as per tradition, rather than add too much flour, cook them without striping, they will still be delicious!

    pumpkin gnocchi recipe 600x900 5

    Recipe Card

    STEP BY STEP PHOTOS ABOVE!Have a look at my step-by-step photo instructions, variations and tips. That way, you can get it perfect the first time you try it!
    pumpkin gnocchi recipe

    Pumpkin Gnocchi Recipe (from Scratch)

    Barbara Felicità Lucchini
    Pumpkin gnocchi is a tasty first course, an easy recipe made with few ingredients. One above all: the Pumpkin. This is the recipe for pumpkin gnocchi without potatoes, dressed with sage butter sauce. 
    So first of all, use a sweet pumpkin, such a butternut squash or a kabocha squash. Then, if you want to get delicious, soft but compact homemade pumpkin gnocchi, you have to cook the pumpkin in the oven so as to make the pulp dry out.
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
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    Prep Time 40 minutes mins
    Cook Time 40 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
    Course Gnocchi, Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 605 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For Pumpkin Gnocchi

    • 600 g pumpkin ~ 2 ½ cups, cooked pulp (that is, 1 pumpkin of about 1.3 kg /2.8 pounds). Use a sweet pumpkin, such a butternut squash or a kabocha squash
    • 300 g flour 2 cups, all purpose
    • 1 egg medium
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • black pepper freshly ground
    • nutmeg a pinch

    For the Seasoning

    • 100 g butter ~1 stick, unsalted
    • 5 sage leaves fresh
    • 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano grated

    Instructions
     

    • Cut the pumpkin into thin slices then place them on a baking sheet pan covered with baking paper. Cook in a static oven preheated to 200°C (390F) for 15-20 minutes or in a ventilated oven at 180°C (350F) for 10-15 minutes, until they start to slightly dry.
    • Place the flour on a work surface and, using your hands or a spoon, create the classic fountain shape. Crush the pumpkin with a potato ricer directly on the flour. Add salt and black pepper and flavor with a pinch of nutmeg.
    • In a little bowl, beat the egg up. Give the mixture again a fountain shape and make a hole in the center then pour the egg. Incorporate it with a fork and work it until it's homogeneous.

    Make Gnocchi

    • Work the dough with your hands as little as possible and quickly. Give it the shape of a loaf. Now cut a piece of pumpkin dough with a dough scraper or a sharp knive.
    • Then with your hands make a long roll of dough as thick as a finger.
    • Slice the roll every 1,5/2 cm (about half inch), so as to have small cylinders.
    • Slide the gnocchi one by one on a gnocchi board to give them the classic striped pattern on the surface (only if they are firm enough, otherwise forget it. They will be delicious all the same!). Homemade pumpkin gnocchi are ready!

    Storage

    • It's better if you freeze them. Place them, well spaced, on a tray covered with a floured cloth or baking paper. Place the tray into the freezer. Wait for ⅔ hours then transfer them in food plastic bags and put them back into the freezer. Do NOT put freshly-made-still-soft gnocchi in plastic bags, otherwise they will stick to each other!

    How to Cook Pumpkin Gnocchi

    • In a rather large pasta pot, bring the water to a boil and add the necessary coarse salt. When the water boils, add the gnocchi a few at a time. You see that the gnocchi, due to their weight, go to the bottom, especially if they are frozen. Cook over high heat.
    • After 1 or 2 minutes, the dumplings come to the surface. They are cooked! As soon as they rise to the surface, take them with a skimmer slotted spoon and drain them well. Pumpkin gnocchi are cooked and ready to be seasoned. Let's see how to do it.

    How to Serve Pumpkin Gnocchi

    • In a saucepan, melt the butter and flavor it with the sage leaves on low heat for about 2 minutes.
    • In a bowl, put ⅔ tablespoons of sage butter sauce. When the gnocchi are cooked, place them in the bowl with the sauce, a few at a time. Finish seasoning them by adding all the sauce. Then add a couple of tablespoons of grated Parmigiano cheese.
    • Stir gently, from bottom to top so as not to break them. You will see that the gnocchi are creamy, but, if they are not creamy enough, add a tablespoon of cooking water. Add a little Parmigiano on top before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 605kcalCarbohydrates: 68gProtein: 20gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 112mgSodium: 725mgPotassium: 635mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 13649IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 351mgIron: 5mg
    Keyword pumpkin gnocchi
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    Comments

    1. Andi says

      December 10, 2024 at 3:47 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious!! I have attempted to make gnocchi a handful of times, and they’ve never turned out that well, but this time they were fantastic! I used a roasted sugar pumpkin from my garden and followed the recipe. My dough was a little wet as I didn’t drain/strain the pumpkin after roasting very well, but I resisted the urge to add more flour after reading the author’s notes and reviews. Because of the little bit of moisture I wasn’t able to get the pretty shapes, but it was a hit, regardless. Garnished with a little crumbled up bacon. Served alongside meatloaf and green salads. Will definitely make again! Thanks for the excellent recipe!!!

      Reply
    2. Helen Onderka says

      July 17, 2023 at 2:07 pm

      5 stars
      I make pumpkin gnocchi with Kobocha squash which I process and freeze in 2 cup portions. When defrosted, there is a lot of liquid. I put it in a fine sieve and let some of the liquid drain off, then added just enough flour (gluten free, better batter) to make a very soft dough. Refrigerating the dough would make it easier to handle. They are delicious! Kobocha squash is very sweet and flavorful!

      Reply
    3. Jennifer says

      November 10, 2021 at 1:28 pm

      5 stars
      I used fresh pumpkin (not sure what variety, maybe sugar?) and roasted until dry as recommended, then just squashed it up with my hands since I don't have a ricer. It was quite a wet dough, but I resisted adding flour which was definitely the right move-- they came out great! Was my first time making gnocchi, and was surprised at how tender and pillowy they were. Highly recommend!

      Reply
      • Lilly says

        November 04, 2023 at 11:12 am

        5 stars
        this was very helpful, as i dont have a ricer, thankyou!

        Reply
    4. Stina says

      September 11, 2021 at 3:58 pm

      5 stars
      Just made pumpkin gnocchi for the first time and it was perfect. My pumpkin was not quite ripe, which meant it was very starchy, not watery. I did not have to add any potato.

      Reply
    5. Joaquin says

      October 31, 2020 at 11:10 pm

      5 stars
      I just have to say NEVER use pumpkin from a can. I made this mistake last night for a quicker recipe. Too wet.

      Reply
      • Sheila Friday says

        October 04, 2022 at 6:00 pm

        5 stars
        I made this with some fresh pumpkin that seemed too runny even after baking. I cooked it in a saucepan until much of the liquid had boiled off, stirring constantly. Seems like you could do that with canned pumpkin, too.

        Reply
        • Kat says

          November 04, 2023 at 12:03 pm

          5 stars
          This was my first time processing a fresh pumpkin. I steamed it for the recipe I was making, but I had way more pumpkin left than I anticipated, and it was way too moist. I've been allowing it to drain but it still has too much moisture so I'm definitely going to try this method!!

          Reply
    5 from 9 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    CIAO! Barbara & Silvana here! We are the authors of these amazing Italian recipes. Living in Italy, they are part of our culture, tradition and everyday life. And we want to share them with you all, straight from Italy! Learn more about us! Read our story!

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