The Perfect Alton Brown Gnocchi Recipe: Fluffy Potato Pillows

Alton Brown’s gnocchi represents a culinary marvel that transforms humble ingredients into something magical.

Soft, pillowy potato dumplings capture the essence of comfort food with remarkable simplicity.

These delicate morsels emerge from a precise technique that balances texture and flavor perfectly.

Traditional Italian techniques merge with modern cooking approaches in this beloved recipe.

Professional chefs and home cooks appreciate the nuanced skill required to create these tender parcels.

Master gnocchi-making requires patience, a gentle touch, and understanding of ingredient interactions.

The result promises a deeply satisfying dish that connects you to generations of home cooking: prepare to be amazed.

Why Alton Brown’s Gnocchi Is the Ultimate Italian Comfort Dish

• Craft Simple Comfort: These gnocchi offer a classic homemade experience with minimal ingredients and straightforward cooking steps that anyone can master in their kitchen.
• Enjoy Pillowy Perfection: Each gnocchi piece delivers a delightfully soft, tender texture that melts in your mouth, creating a luxurious eating sensation without complex techniques.
• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Requiring just one hour from start to finish, this recipe provides a delicious Italian-inspired meal that's perfect for busy families seeking a satisfying dinner solution without extensive preparation time.

What You Need for Alton Brown’s Gnocchi

Step 1: Preheat The Oven

Crank up your oven to a toasty 400°F (204°C), getting ready for a cheesy cauliflower adventure.

Step 2: Prepare The Creamy Mixture

• 1 head of fresh cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Gently mix everything together, ensuring each cauliflower piece gets cozy with the creamy cheese sauce.

Step 3: Roast To Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and let the magic happen. Roast for 25-30 minutes, watching for the cauliflower to turn tender and the sauce to bubble and thicken with golden edges.

Step 4: Rest And Serve

Once out of the oven, let the gratin rest for 10 minutes. This allows the sauce to settle and makes serving easier. The result? A mouthwatering side dish that’s creamy, cheesy, and absolutely irresistible.

How to Make Alton Brown’s Gnocchi

Step 1: Boil Potatoes

Submerge whole potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Cook for 15 minutes until tender but not falling apart. Drain and let cool completely. Mash potatoes using a potato masher or fork until smooth.

Step 2: Create Dough

• Mashed potatoes
• Flour
• 1 egg

Knead the dough thoroughly until it becomes smooth and elastic. Work the mixture until it forms a cohesive ball.

Step 3: Shape Gnocchi

Dust a clean work surface with flour. Divide the dough into smaller portions. Roll each portion into long cylindrical shapes resembling thick ropes. Cut each rope into 1/2-inch bite-sized pieces using a sharp knife.

Step 4: Cook Gnocchi

Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring water to a rolling boil. Carefully drop gnocchi pieces into the boiling water. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, watching for pieces to float to the water’s surface. This indicates they are fully cooked.

Step 5: Serve

Using a slotted spoon, remove gnocchi from water. Drain excess liquid. Serve immediately with your favorite sauce or seasoning.

Pro Tips for Perfectly Soft Gnocchi

• Prevent Potato Waterlogging: Bake instead of boil to reduce moisture.
• Test Dough Elasticity: Pinch a small piece and roll to check texture before shaping entire batch.
• Master Gentle Kneading: Use fingertips lightly to incorporate flour without developing tough gluten.
• Create Perfect Fork Marks: Roll each gnocchi with slight pressure against fork tines for classic ridged surface.
• Dry Surface Matters: Let shaped gnocchi rest on floured surface for 15-30 minutes to develop slight skin, preventing sticking during cooking.

How to Store Alton Brown’s Gnocchi

• Vacuum Sealing: Lock in freshness by removing all air with a vacuum sealer. This method prevents freezer burn and preserves gnocchi's delicate texture for up to three months. Seal individual portions for easy future meal prep.
• Moisture-Proof Container: Store cooked gnocchi in glass or hard plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Prevent moisture buildup by placing a paper towel on top before sealing to absorb excess condensation. Keep refrigerated and consume within 48 hours for optimal taste and quality.
• Flash Freezing: Spread freshly cooked gnocchi on a baking sheet in a single layer before transferring to freezer bags. This technique prevents clumping and allows you to remove individual pieces as needed. Quick-freeze for 30 minutes to maintain perfect texture and prevent sticky masses from forming.

Creative Twists on Alton Brown’s Gnocchi

• Herb-Infused Gnocchi: Add chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, or basil to the potato mixture for an aromatic herbal flavor profile.
• Spinach Potato Gnocchi: Blend cooked and finely chopped spinach into the potato mixture to create a vibrant green pasta with extra nutrients.
• Parmesan Cheese Gnocchi: Incorporate grated parmesan cheese directly into the dough for a rich, savory taste that elevates the classic recipe.
• Sweet Potato Gnocchi: Replace traditional white potatoes with roasted sweet potatoes for a slightly sweeter, more nutritious version that pairs wonderfully with sage butter sauce.

A Fluffy Bite of Heaven: Alton Brown’s Gnocchi

Potato pillows of pure comfort whisper culinary magic on plates across kitchens.

Alton Brown’s gnocchi recipe transforms humble ingredients into delightful Italian treasures.

Delicate dough promises satisfying textures that dance between crisp edges and tender centers.

Kitchen adventurers discover simple techniques create restaurant-quality pasta without complex skills.

Home chefs can master this classic recipe with confidence and minimal ingredients.

Fellow pasta enthusiasts, you’ll want to snap a photo, share this delightful discovery, and spread gnocchi love with friends who crave authentic Italian comfort.

Alton Brown Gnocchi Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Alton Brown’s gnocchi brings Italian comfort to your kitchen with pillowy potato dumplings crafted from simple, elegant ingredients. Potato, flour, and egg combine in a culinary dance that delivers a classic Italian pasta experience you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 potatoes, peeled
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg

Binding Ingredient:

• 1 teaspoon salt

Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) water

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Carefully submerge whole potatoes and cook for approximately 15 to 20 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork, ensuring they remain firm and do not disintegrate.
2. Drain the potatoes and allow them to cool completely. Gently press and mash the potatoes using a potato masher or fork, creating a consistent, slightly textured mixture without large lumps.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the flour, one whole egg, and precisely 1 cup of the mashed potatoes. Gradually blend the ingredients, using your hands to knead the mixture into a smooth, pliable dough.
4. Dust a clean work surface with flour to prevent sticking. Divide the dough into smaller portions and roll each section into elongated cylindrical shapes, resembling slender ropes approximately 1/2 inch in diameter.
5. Using a sharp knife, slice the dough ropes into uniform half-inch segments, creating individual gnocchi pillows. Lightly dust the cut pieces with flour to prevent adhesion.
6. Bring a fresh pot of water to a vigorous boil, adding a pinch of salt. Carefully drop the gnocchi into the bubbling water and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, watching for them to rise and float to the surface.
7. Once the gnocchi have floated up, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the water. Drain thoroughly and serve immediately with your preferred sauce or seasoning.

Notes

• Russet potatoes pack the perfect starch content, creating cloud-like gnocchi with incredible texture.
• Mixing too aggressively transforms delicate dough into tough, chewy lumps that nobody wants on their plate.
• Flour incorporation requires a delicate touch, adding small amounts to control moisture and maintain pillowy softness.
• Working in compact batches ensures each potato dumpling cooks evenly and receives proper attention during preparation.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, preventing unexpected textural challenges.
• Keep wooden surfaces lightly dusted with flour to prevent sticky dough complications.
• Boil potatoes with skin intact to minimize water absorption and maintain optimal potato structure.
• Test one gnocchi first to verify cooking time and seasoning before preparing entire batch.
• Leftover gnocchi store beautifully in airtight containers for quick future meals.
• Fresh herbs can transform basic recipe into restaurant-quality comfort food.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 220 kcal
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg