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Keeping things cozy and delicious today with this Pumpkin Cauliflower Gnocchi with Nutty Browned Butter and Whipped Ricotta. Making gnocchi at home is easy with this recipe using mashed cauliflower, pumpkin puree, flour, parmesan and eggs. It’s light, pillowy, and tossed in a delicious nutty hazelnut and sage browned butter sauce. This gnocchi is the perfect way to spend a relaxing fall night in the kitchen with family and friends.
Starting Monday off with gnocchi might seem a little indulgent, but in the fall, anything goes, and it’s all about the cozy recipes. Plus, this gnocchi is really just like eating a plate full of colorful vegetables…because the two main ingredients are cauliflower and pumpkin. So you see? A plate full of vegetables with a side of whipped ricotta cheese…and nutty sage browned butter sauce too. Best kind of Monday (health) food.
Watch Me Make This Gnocchi on Instagram:
OK. That might be a stretch but just go with me on this. Every last ounce of this recipe is mouth-watering delicious and you need it in your life.
Today…
All the details you need to know…
First, this gnocchi recipe is easier than you think and worth any extra time spent in the kitchen. Trust me on this.
Second, to sum this up real quick, you’re basically mixing pumpkin puree with steamed and mashed cauliflower, flour, parmesan, and eggs. Yes, this gnocchi has just 5 ingredients. And while it takes some hands-on time, it’s really fairly simple to make. For whatever reason, gnocchi gets a bad rap for being difficult. But it’s actually simple and always so much better when made at home. At least in my opinion.
The dough comes together in no time. Once you’ve mashed the cauliflower, just mix everything else in. Then it’s time to shape the gnocchi.
When it comes to forming the gnocchi, I keep it very, very simple. I like to roll the gnocchi dough into a long rope and then just cut that rope into pieces. And that’s it. No fancy tools, no fancy rolling method. Just keeping it simple.
Once you’ve rolled and shaped the gnocchi they can be covered and kept in the fridge for a day or so. Then just boil them off before you’re ready to eat.
Here’s what I have to say about this fall recipe.
You do not taste the cauliflower, but you do indeed taste the pumpkin. So, this isn’t anything like Trader Joe’s Cauliflower gnocchi, though that was where I drew inspiration from. Nope, this is a very unique gnocchi that feels lighter and airier (is that a word?) than most.
It’s different, but GOOD.
Now, for that sauce.
It’s a nutty hazelnut and sage browned butter sauce. It’s truly the best sauce you’ll ever toss your gnocchi with.
Browned butter, garlic, sage, nutmeg, and hazelnuts. 5 ingredients, but when put together they create a rich, warming butter sauce that pairs so well with the pumpkiny flavors in the gnocchi.
You could stop here and the recipe would be great….
But it’s ME, and you all know I like to add in that “extra special” finishing touch to all of my recipes.
Enter the whipped ricotta cheese. Not necessarily needed, but 100% DELICIOUS. If you’re new to whipped ricotta, it’s just what it sounds like, ricotta cheese that has been whipped in the food processor. It’s so creamy, light, and airy, and it makes for the BEST base for pasta of any kind. I first tested this out with my broccoli pesto pasta, but you know what?
I’m pretty sure it’s actually better with this pumpkin gnocchi. Maybe it depends on your mood, but seeing as I’m currently embracing all things fall, this recipe is at the top of my list, and the whipped ricotta is what seals the deal.
When the warm, nutty, buttery, gnocchi is spooned over the light, creamy whipped ricotta, the cheese melts into a sauce, mixing with the butter and gnocchi.
Oh my…SO GOOD!
To recap this fall pumpkin cauliflower gnocchi is…
…extra soft and pillowy.
…has hints of sweet pumpkin throughout.
…is made healthier with the addition of mashed cauliflower.
…tossed in an addicting hazelnut and sage butter sauce.
…spooned over whipped ricotta cheese.
…and topped with crispy, fried sage.
Every last bite is mouth-watering. I’d go on to say more, but really that’s all you need to know. Make this tonight, this weekend, just sometime this fall. It’s one of the best autumn pasta dishes you can enjoy.
Tip? Pour yourself a glass of wine or make your favorite cocktail and cozy up by the fire with a bowl full of pumpkin gnocchi and your favorite fall TV show.
Perfect night.
If you make this fall pumpkin cauliflower gnocchi with nutty browned butter and whipped ricotta, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Pumpkin Cauliflower Gnocchi with Nutty Browned Butter and Whipped Ricotta.
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 735 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2-2 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 egg
- 2 1/2 - 3 cups all-purpose flour, use more as needed (or use GF flour blend)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, whipped in the food processor, if desired
Hazelnut Browned Butter Sauce
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, lightly smashed
- 12 fresh sage leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 cup raw chopped hazelnuts (optional)
- kosher salt and black pepper
Instructions
- 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add cauliflower florets and cook until tender, 10 minutes. Drain well.2. Add the cauliflower to a food processor, pulse until smooth (or simply mash well with a fork). Measure out about 1 cup mashed cauliflower and transfer to a large bowl. Add the pumpkin, 2 1/2 cups flour, the parmesan, egg, and salt. Stir the mixture until just combined. If the dough seems wet, add a tablespoon of flour at a time, until it can be formed into a ball. The dough should be sticky.3. Generously flour a clean counter and scrape the dough out onto it. Cut the dough into four equal pieces. Working with one piece of dough at a time, roll the dough into a rope about 1 inch thick and cut into bite-size pieces. Repeat this process with the other pieces of dough. Place the gnocchi on a baking sheet that has been dusted with flour. At this point, the gnocchi can be kept covered in the fridge for up to 1 day, and then boiled just before you are ready to eat. Or boiled right away.5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the gnocchi until they float to the top and are cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the gnocchi using a slotted spoon or spider strainer. Reserve about a cup of the gnocchi cooking water. 6. To make the sauce. Heat the butter, garlic, sage, and hazelnuts, if using, in a large skillet over medium heat and cook butter until it begins to brown, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the garlic and sage from the skillet. Add the nutmeg, 1/4 cup of the reserved gnocchi cooking water, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer. Drop the gnocchi into the sauce, gently tossing to combine. If the sauce thickens up, add a splash more of cooking water to thin it a bit.7. Spread the ricotta cheese into the bottom of each individual serving bowl. Spoon the gnocchi and sauce over the ricotta. Top with sage. Scoop the gnocchi up with the ricotta and the sauce. EAT and ENJOY.
Notes
To Freeze: Prepare the gnocchi through step 3. Freeze on a parchment like baking sheet for 1-2 hours. Transfer the gnocchi to a freezer bag or freezer safe container for up to 4 months. To cook, boil from frozen for 5-7 minutes, until the gnocchi float.Â
To Make Gluten Free: Use an equal amount of your favorite gluten free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. I recommend Cup4Cup gluten free flour.Â
I made this today and it was soooo good. I did think the gnocchi was a little dense, not very fluffy. Any tips?
Greetings from the Netherlands! Love your recipes!
Hey Romy,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try! Was there anything you adjusted in the recipe? Let me know how I can help! xTieghan
Hi! Could you substitute the butter with ghee?
Hey Sarah,
I have not tried this recipe with ghee, but I would use any equal amount. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This recipe totally didn’t work out. The dough was so wet and unmanageable. I made sure the cauliflower was very well drained in order to not add any extra liquid to the mixture. I tried adding extra flour. By the time it was anywhere near the consistency to work with, there was way too much flour. I didn’t even bother rolling it all out, I made one little gnocchi, boiled it and it was a tasteless lead ball. I know my way around the kitchen and this is one of the reasons I tend to not follow internet recipes. The only reason I did is because my partner sent it to me and asked if I could make it for her. Don’t tell me to watch your video, because I tried. It was super glitchy and just kept starting over.
Hi Tye! I am really sorry this recipe did not work for you. If you would like to try it again, I would love to help! Otherwise, I hope you enjoy some other recipes on my site! xTieghan
any other suggestions for the sauce if we don’t like ricotta cheese ?
thanks
Hey Isabel,
You could do a browned butter sauce:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Made this with my toddler (minus the sauce). It was easy, fun and delicious.
Thank you so much Shannon! xTieghan
Do you suggest making the gnocchi the day before cooking it?
Hey Tera,
You could make the day before or the day of. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I’m trying this tonight! Any recommendations on a side to accompany it?? Thanks, love your recipes!
Hey Sara,
I would do a large harvest salad. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This was insanely delicious – even with GF flour! We added one step and lightly crisped the cooked gnocchi in the butter sauce and the result was absolute heaven. Will definitely make again!
Amazing! Thank you so much for trying this one, Laura! xTieghan
Is it possible to use a low carb flour replacement like almond or coconut or a mix of the two? I am very excited to try this recipe!!
Hey Shea,
I would recommend using Cup4cup GF flour. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hello. I made this dish and felt VERY proud of it. However, I have to say that it was a bit bland? The hazelnuts added some needed crunch but I would have loved to have had some other flavors…some heat or some spice of some kind. I think the sage was lovely and was sorry it was removed from the dish before adding the gnocchi. BTW, I cook one of your dishes almost weekly and have loved everything. This one wasn’t my fave. Also, it would be great if you’d recommend a side and maybe even a wine pairing because you are truly THAT GOOD. I’d do exactly what you suggested 🙂
Hi Lisa! I am sorry this did not turn out as expected! Is there anything I can help with? I am really glad you have been loving my recipes and I hope you continue to! xTieghan
Hi!!! This looks delicious and would
Love to make! My daughter has an egg allergy. Is there anything I can substitute for the egg?
Thanks!
Hey Alisa,
So sorry but I have not tested this without the egg, it really helps to bind the ingredients together. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I thought this was delicious and I love making your recipes! The only thing I might do differently next time is add in more spices when I’m making the dough. Maybe a dash of cloves, nutmeg.. maybe even a little cinnamon?! Delish!
Thank you so much Morgan! xTieghan
Thank you for sharing. I’m so excited to try and make this! Do you have any ideas of what to use instead of hazel nuts to add texture? I have a tree nut allergy. Thanks!
Hey Caroline,
The hazelnuts are optional, so you can simply omit them:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
We were SO excited about this recipe -bought all the ingredients and planned to make it for guests. Unfortunately, the result was beyond disappointing. The gnocchi was like gummy lead, and the butter sauce was just average. The whipped ricotta was pretty good, and I would make that again, but everything else was just bad. i mean, literally none of our guests could eat more than 2 bites. The flavor wasn’t terrible, but the pumpkin didn’t shine through and the texture was just so bad. I truly love hbh and Tiegan’s recipe ideas, but this was just upsetting. b
Hi Katie! OH no! I am so sorry this did not turn out well for you! If there is anything I can help with, please let me know! xTieghan
Omg!! This was insanely delicious. My whole family loved it and it will def be on repeat. The combo of sage butter and nutmeg is amaaaaaazing and then whipped ricotta. Restaurant quality! Gnocchi is also my favourite so happy to find a recipe I love this much. Thank you for this! Did have to add extra flour because the pumpkin makes it quite wet but can just eyeball it.
Aw that is so amazing to hear! Thank you so much Chantel! xTieghan