Pumpkin and Sage Gnocchi is a comforting, seasonal dish that combines the rich, earthy flavors of pumpkin with the warmth of fresh sage. This Italian-inspired meal is the perfect way to embrace fall, featuring tender homemade gnocchi tossed in a delicious brown butter and sage sauce. With its balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that’s both satisfying and full of seasonal charm.
The base of this dish starts with soft, pillowy gnocchi made from a mixture of pumpkin puree, flour, and egg. The pumpkin adds a subtle sweetness and a vibrant orange color to the gnocchi, making them not only delicious but visually stunning. When cooked, the gnocchi become light and airy, providing the perfect texture to absorb the rich sauce that coats them.
To make the sauce, butter is melted and browned in a pan, creating a nutty, deep flavor that pairs beautifully with the pumpkin. Fresh sage leaves are added to the butter, sizzling and crisping up, releasing their fragrant aroma and giving the sauce a fragrant, herbaceous note. The crispy sage leaves add a lovely contrast to the softness of the gnocchi, while the brown butter brings a rich, luxurious finish to the dish.
Pumpkin and Sage Gnocchi is the ideal dish for a cozy fall dinner or special occasion. The combination of the soft, pumpkin-flavored gnocchi with the savory brown butter and crispy sage is simple yet elegant. You can garnish the dish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for added richness and a touch of freshness with a little lemon zest if desired.
This dish works perfectly as a main course or a side dish to accompany roasted meats or salads. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the flavors of fall, offering a comforting, filling meal that’s full of warmth and seasonal ingredients. Whether you’re serving it for a special occasion or simply enjoying a cozy night in, Pumpkin and Sage Gnocchi is a dish that will quickly become a fall favorite.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pumpkin puree canned or homemade
- 2 cups all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
- 1 egg large, lightly beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup fresh sage leaves finely chopped
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter for the sauce
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese for serving, grated
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, flour, egg, salt, and chopped sage. Mix until a dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead gently until smooth. Divide the dough into four portions.
- Roll each portion into a long rope, about 1/2-inch thick. Cut the ropes into 1-inch pieces to form the gnocchi.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the gnocchi in batches until they float to the surface, about 2-3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the cooked gnocchi and sauté until lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve the gnocchi with grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Nutrition
I don’t know what went wrong, but mine fell apart in the water. 🤔
Yummy! But can you use sweet potato instead? Asking for a friend.
I don’t know if my pumpkin was watery or I messed up the kneading, but my dough was super sticky. I ended up adding more flour and they turned out… kinda gnocchi-ish? Flavor was good though.
So easy and cozy. I made it as written and my family ate it all. One of those recipes that makes you feel like a chef lol.
Easy recipe! Took me longer than expected tho, but well worth it. Can’t believe I made gnocchi!
This was a hit at our dinner party! Everyone loved the flavors. Will definitely make again!
I followed the recipe but mine were a bit heavy, like bread dumplings. I think I added too much flour when rolling. Still tasty though!
Ahh that makes sense—too much flour can absolutely make gnocchi heavy like dumplings. Next time, try adding flour only as needed (or use a lighter hand when dusting). Still love that you said it was tasty!
Wait—are you sure you measured the flour right? I always go by weight. If you scooped, it’s easy to overdo. Also, knead “gently” is key; if you work it too much it gets dense.
Instructions clear but took me forever! I guess I’m no pro. Still tasted good.
I found the dough really sticky, even with the flour. Are you sure the measurements are right? I might not try it again.
I didn’t have that problem! Maybe you used too much pumpkin? Just add more flour next time. It gets better!
This is my first time making gnocchi, and it was surprisingly easy! Will definitely make again.
Congrats! Gnocchi can be tricky but sounds like you nailed it! Pumpkin and sage are the perfect combo.
I’m not sure it’s that easy for everyone. I once messed up gnocchi so bad it turned into mush! Be careful!
Way too much sage! I mean, who even puts that much sage in gnocchi? Less is more, people.
Yummy! I added some garlic to the butter sauce and it was 10/10. Will share with my friends!
I thought gnocchi was made from potatoes? Why pumpkin? It sounds weird. But my friend said this is a thing. Maybe I’ll try it once.
I’ve had pumpkin gnocchi before, and it was actually really good! The sweetness from the pumpkin adds a nice flavor. Give it a shot!
Yum! I added some garlic to the butter and it really kicked the flavor up a notch! Will make again for sure. 5 stars!
Garlic sounds like a great idea! I might try that next time. Thanks for the tip!
YUM! I love this! 🍂 Made it with my kids and they gobbled it right up! So fun to make too!
That sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try it with my little ones too! 🤗
These were surprisingly good—pillowy gnocchi with that nice sage flavor. I dusted enough flour and they didn’t turn gummy. Will make again for sure!
Made these last night—so pillowy! The sage butter really shines and the flavor feels super cozy. I did add a touch more flour since my pumpkin was wetter, but otherwise followed the steps.
Yes!! I love when the sage butter actually comes through. Mine always tastes restaurant-y too 😄
Wasn’t sure about the pumpkin and sage combo, but it surprisingly worked well. The family enjoyed it. Just a bit too much butter for my taste.
Gnocchi is actually Italian not sure if this fits the bill. But it tasted fine, I guess. Just saying!
Honestly, I didn’t expect this to be good. Pumpkin in pasta? Nah. But surprisingly, it was decent! Just not my favorite. 3 stars.
Glad you found it decent! I was skeptical too but the pumpkin adds a nice creaminess. Definitely a unique combo!