Nonna Zoe’s homemade Potato Gnocchi with tomato sauce 🇮🇹🍅
There’s something special about Sunday in an Italian household. It’s the day when the kitchen smells like slow-cooked tomato sauce, fresh basil, and pure love. And if you’re lucky—like me—it’s also gnocchi day.
This recipe comes straight from my nonna Zoe, who rules the kitchen like a true Italian grandmother. Every time she visits us in Los Angeles, we have a tradition: we make gnocchi together. But we don’t do it alone. We always end up with a kitchen full of friends and neighbors, ready to roll up their sleeves and get messy. Whether it’s my brother Lorenzo’s friends, my mom’s besties, our next-door neighbors, or my friends from Peer Support, one thing is certain—gnocchi night is always a success. It’s loud, it’s fun, there’s flour everywhere, and by the time we sit down to eat, everyone is smiling (and completely stuffed).
Ingredients for the Gnocchi 🥔
✔️ 1 kg (2.2 lbs) starchy potatoes (yellow potatoes work best)
✔️ 300 g (2 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
✔️ 1 medium egg
✔️ A pinch of salt
Ingredients for the Tomato Sauce 🍅
✔️ 500 ml (2 cups) tomato passata
✔️ ½ onion, finely chopped
✔️ 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
✔️ A few leaves of fresh basil
✔️ Salt & black pepper to taste
How to make Nonna Zoe’s Gnocchi
Step 1: Cook the Potatoes
1️⃣ Boil the whole potatoes with the skin on in a large pot of salted water for about 20-30 minutes, until fork-tender.
2️⃣ Drain and peel them while still warm (yes, it’s hot, but that’s the trick to making fluffy gnocchi!).
Step 2: Make the dough
1️⃣ Mash the potatoes with a potato ricer or a fork directly onto a floured surface. Let them cool slightly.
2️⃣ Add the flour, the egg, and a pinch of salt.
3️⃣ Gently mix everything together until you get a soft, smooth dough. (⚠️ Don’t overwork the dough! The less you knead, the lighter the gnocchi will be.)
Step 3: Shape the Gnocchi
1️⃣ Divide the dough into small portions and roll each one into a long rope, about 2 cm (¾ inch) thick.
2️⃣ Cut into bite-sized pieces and, if you want that classic gnocchi shape, roll them over a fork or a gnocchi board.
Step 4: Cook the Gnocchi
1️⃣ Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2️⃣ Drop the gnocchi in gently—they will sink at first, but once they float, they’re ready! (This takes about 2-3 minutes.)
3️⃣ Remove them with a slotted spoon and set aside.
How to Make the Perfect Tomato Sauce
1️⃣ Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion and whole garlic clove until golden and fragrant.
2️⃣ Add the tomato passata, salt, and pepper, then let it simmer for 20 minutes on low heat.
3️⃣ Just before serving, stir in some fresh basil for extra flavor.
Bringing It All Together 🍽️
1️⃣ Toss the gnocchi into the warm tomato sauce and mix gently.
2️⃣ Plate them up and top with grated Parmigiano Reggiano (because everything is better with cheese!).
3️⃣ Serve immediately and enjoy every bite.
Why you NEED to make this recipe
✨ It’s simple but special. Few ingredients, but the result? Pure comfort.
✨ It’s a tradition. If you’ve never had homemade gnocchi, you haven’t lived yet.
✨ It brings people together. Gnocchi is best made with family, music in the background, and a lot of laughter.
By the time we sit down to eat, we’re all covered in flour, full of laughter, and completely stuffed. It’s the best kind of chaos—and the most delicious tradition. So, if you want to experience a real Italian Sunday, grab some potatoes and give this recipe a try. Your kitchen will smell like home, and your stomach will thank you.
Buon appetito! 🇮🇹✨