Ingredients
- 1 pound potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 cup heavy cream (can substitute half-and-half for lighter)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add gnocchi and cook until they float, about 2–3 minutes.
- Drain gnocchi and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt butter.
- Add minced garlic and cook about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in pumpkin puree, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Bring sauce to a gentle simmer and cook 3–5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Optional: Add cooked crumbled Italian sausage or sautéed mushrooms/spinach to the sauce before adding gnocchi.
- Toss cooked gnocchi into the sauce and stir gently to coat well.
- Cook together over low heat for 1–2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Remove skillet from heat and stir in grated Parmesan until melted.
- Garnish with chopped parsley, adjust seasoning as needed, and serve.
Notes
Use pure pumpkin puree, not sweetened pumpkin pie filling, to maintain savory balance., Avoid overcooking gnocchi; they should be tender but not mushy., Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor., Avoid low-fat cream as it can curdle; heavy cream or half-and-half is preferred., For leftovers, store in airtight container in refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of cream to preserve creaminess., Sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated up to 2 days., Homemade gnocchi can be used instead of store-bought for added freshness, though it requires more preparation time., Freezing is not recommended due to cream sauce texture degradation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Contemporary American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximate)
- Calories: Approx. 450 calories per serving
- Fat: Approx. 20 grams per serving
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 50 grams per serving
- Protein: Approx. 15 grams per serving