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Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi with Brown Butter Sage

creamy pumpkin gnocchi - featured image

A quick and comforting holiday dinner featuring pillowy gnocchi tossed in a velvety pumpkin sauce with nutty brown butter and crispy sage leaves.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh or frozen gnocchi
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1015 fresh sage leaves
  • 1 cup pure pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
  • 23 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add gnocchi and cook according to package directions (usually 2-3 minutes) until they float.
  2. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the gnocchi and set aside.
  3. While gnocchi cook, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Watch closely until it foams and turns amber with a nutty aroma.
  4. Add sage leaves to the brown butter and fry for 1-2 minutes until crispy and dark green. Do not burn.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Add pumpkin puree to the skillet and stir to combine with the butter and sage.
  6. Add heavy cream and a splash of reserved pasta water. Whisk gently to create a smooth, emulsified sauce.
  7. Add the drained gnocchi to the skillet and toss to coat evenly. Add more pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
  8. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted.
  9. Serve immediately, topped with crispy sage leaves and extra Parmesan.

Notes

Use pure pumpkin puree, not pie filling. Fresh sage is essential for the best flavor. If the sauce breaks, lower the heat and add a splash of cold water or more pasta water to re-emulsify. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free gnocchi. For a dairy-free version, swap butter for olive oil and Parmesan for nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin gnocchi, brown butter sage, holiday dinner, quick weeknight meal, comfort food, vegetarian pasta