The Biggest Gnocchi Mistake You're Making

You're seriously missing out if you haven't jumped on the gnocchi train yet. If pasta and dumplings had a baby, it would be something along the lines of gnocchi. This small potato dumpling is a staple in northern Italy where it originated, according to Amaro Restaurant. Each dumpling is the perfect size for a bite. The grooves pressed into each piece serves as a comfy seat for a sauce of any flavor. Gnocchi dishes can be tossed with anything from creamy pesto to crispy shallots and mushrooms, but some popular sauces are buttery sage or a classic cheesy tomato sauce also known as gnocchi alla Sorrentina (via Pasta Evangelists). 

As delicious as homemade gnocchi may be, there's not always enough time to toss together a dough from scratch at the end of a long day. When time isn't on your side, store-bought gnocchi will do, just as long as it's being prepared correctly. Store-bought gnocchi shouldn't be cooked in the same fashion as gnocchi made fresh, recipe developer Ali Slagle shared with Bon Appétit.

When cooked perfectly, gnocchi is a delectable pillow of flavor that will melt in your mouth. With the ideal amount of crispiness on the outside and a soft, velvety texture inside, a little goes a long way with these Italian dumplings.

To prepare fresh gnocchi, boil the dumplings for two to four minutes, according to BBC Good Food. It wouldn't be a crazy idea to assume packaged gnocchi is prepared the same way, but boiling store-bought gnocchi often results in a soggy unappetizing mess (via Bon Appétit). 

Rather than tossing your gnocchi in boiling water, fry them in a sauté pan with some oil on the stove or roast them in the oven. This will allow the potato dumplings to brown on the outside, creating a delectable bite with lots of depth. There are likely a variety of gnocchi brands you'll spot at your local market, and they'll have varying textures, but each will taste delightful whether pan-fried or roasted. You'll quickly find that you can create restaurant-quality gnocchi right in your cast iron pan and save the fresh gnocchi for special occasions. Another bonus is how quickly you can lock down that crispy perfection with store-bought gnocchi. Eat Well 101's recipe for Fried Butter Gnocchi with Garlic & Parmesan is crisped up in just 15 minutes.