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Soft potato gnocchi tossed in a smooth, rich pumpkin cream sauce with garlic, Parmesan, and a hint of nutmeg, perfect for cozy fall evenings.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Add gnocchi and cook until they float, about 2–3 minutes.
  3. Drain gnocchi and set aside.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt butter.
  5. Add minced garlic and cook about 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Stir in pumpkin puree, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
  7. Bring sauce to a gentle simmer and cook 3–5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  8. Optional: Add cooked crumbled Italian sausage or sautéed mushrooms/spinach to the sauce before adding gnocchi.
  9. Toss cooked gnocchi into the sauce and stir gently to coat well.
  10. Cook together over low heat for 1–2 minutes to meld flavors.
  11. Remove skillet from heat and stir in grated Parmesan until melted.
  12. 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.

  • Author: Ashley
  • 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