Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi! Soft, pillowy gnocchi coated in a luscious butternut squash sauce with hints of garlic, parmesan, and fresh herbs. This cozy dish is perfect for fall and makes a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal at home.
Ingredients
For the Gnocchi:
- 1 lb (450g) potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
For the Butternut Squash Sauce:
- 2 cups 🥣 butternut squash, peeled & cubed
- 1 tbsp 🧄 garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp 🧈 butter or olive oil
- ½ cup 🥛 heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
- ½ cup 🧀 grated Parmesan (or nutritional yeast for vegan)
- ½ cup 🍲 vegetable broth (or more as needed)
- ½ tsp 🌿 dried thyme or sage
- ½ tsp 🧂 salt
- ¼ tsp 🫙 black pepper
- ¼ tsp 🌶️ red pepper flakes (optional)
For Garnish (Optional):
- Fresh sage or thyme 🍃
- Extra Parmesan 🧀
- Toasted pine nuts or walnuts
Instructions
Cook the Butternut Squash:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the butternut squash cubes. Boil for 10-12 minutes until fork-tender. Drain.
2️⃣ Make the Sauce:
- In a pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add cooked butternut squash, heavy cream, Parmesan, vegetable broth, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Blend the mixture until smooth using an immersion blender or regular blender. Add more broth if needed to reach a creamy consistency.
3️⃣ Cook the Gnocchi:
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the gnocchi according to package instructions (usually 2-3 minutes until they float). Drain.
- In a separate pan, heat olive oil and sauté the gnocchi for 2 minutes until lightly golden (optional).
4️⃣ Combine & Serve:
- Toss the gnocchi in the creamy butternut squash sauce. Stir well to coat.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs, extra Parmesan, and toasted nuts if desired.
Notes
✔Make it Vegan – Use coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead of heavy cream and Parmesan.
✔ Add Protein – Serve with crispy tofu, grilled chicken, or shrimp.
✔ Extra Flavor – A dash of nutmeg or cinnamon enhances the squash’s sweetness.
✔ Storage – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: butternut squash gnocchi, creamy gnocchi, fall comfort food, easy Italian dinner