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Homemade Quick Gnocchi

February 15, 2015 by Ceara 67 Comments

homemade quick gnocchi

What do you get when you mix instant mashed potatoes, water and flour? Some of the best and easiest Homemade Quick Gnocchi that you will ever eat! Who ever thought, right!?

When I was younger, my mom’s Italian friend would come over and they would spend the entire day in the kitchen making Gnocchi. You know when you try a dish that’s sooo delicious it stays with you and even though years have passed you can still remember the taste and the comfort of that particular dish? That was this gnocchi. The soft, potatoe-y pillows, smothered in delicious, homemade sauce was well worth the wait. And a wait was guaranteed because it honestly took the better half of a hands-on afternoon to make!

instant mashed potatoes

Gnocchi is still one of my favorite foods. I mean who doesn’t like Gnocchi? It makes for such a hearty and cozy meal and tastes amazing with just about any sauce. But let’s get real, most days we just don’t have an entire afternoon to spend in the kitchen preparing pasta 😉 You can understand my excitement when I came across this recipe on Allrecipes that uses instant mashed potatoes as the base for Gnocchi. #lifechanged

I know, I know. Instant mashed potatoes!? Are you serious? The potatoes in a box that you lived off of in first year university because all you had was a kettle in your room!? At first, I was a total skeptic but then I came across a box of organic mashed potatoes in the little organic shop near my house without any strange preservatives and only a small handful of ingredients listed on the box (potatoes, rosemary, salt and pepper). Long story short, this Homemade Quick Gnocchi’s fate was sealed. And to my surprise, the taste and texture of this Homemade Quick Gnocchi made with instant mashed potaotes was super close to the one my mom and her friend used to make way back when – without the hours spent in the kitchen peeling, boiling and ricing potatoes!

homemade quick gnocchi

Now that I’ve fallen in love with instant mashed potatoes (well at least for the organic taters without any added questionable ingredients), I’m excited to see what other recipes they can be used as a shortcut in! Are you a fan of using instant mashed potatoes or are they banned from your kitchen forever (like I thought)? Wishing you a wonderful week!

If you do try this Homemade Quick Gnocchi or any other recipes of mine, it makes my day hearing about it! 🙂 Insta or Tweet it to me (@cearaskitchen with hashtag #cearaskitchen) or Facebook it to me via the Ceara’s Kitchen Facebook Page! Have a wonderful week!

ceara s kitchen

5.0 from 1 reviews
Homemade Quick Gnocchi
 
Print
Prep time
30 mins
Cook time
2 mins
Total time
32 mins
 
Delicious Homemade Quick Gnocchi that uses instant mashed potatoes and comes together much quicker and easier than traditional Gnocchi. Serve these soft, pasta pillows with your favorite tomato sauce!
Author: Ceara
Recipe type: Entree
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 cup organic potato flakes (note: also known as dehydrated potato or instant mashed potatoes)
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup white flour
  • salt and pepper to taste
Directions
  1. Place potato flakes and boiling water into a medium-size bowl. Stir with a fork until combined. Cover and leave to cool in the fridge for about 15 minutes.
  2. Add ½ of the flour with a pinch of salt and pepper to the potato mixture. Using your hands, combine the instant mashed potatoes with the flour. Add in the rest of the flour until a fairly stiff (and non sticky) dough is formed. You might not need all the flour and you might need a little bit more depending on the brand of potato flakes you used (*I used 1 scant cup of flour). If your dough is too dry and scraggly add a couple of drops of water. Lightly knead the dough for about a minute into a ball. Cover and leave the dough ball to rest for 15 minutes.
  3. Boil a large pot of salted water while preparing the gnocchi. Divide the dough into two. With the palms of your hands, shape each half of the dough into a long thin roll (about the thickness of your finger). With a knife, cut the gnocchi into bite size pieces (1.5 cm/ ½ inch wide). See photo of gnocchi for reference.
  4. Once the water has come to a rapid boil, place a few of the gnocchi into the boiling water. After about 60 - 90 seconds the gnocchi will rise to the top of the pot, remove the gnocchi with a slotted spoon until all the gnocchi are cooked. Serve warm with your favorite pasta sauce.
Notes
Gnocchi can be easily, doubled, tripled etc. based on how many people you are serving!
3.2.2925

mashed potatoes

Filed Under: All Recipes, Low Fat, Mains, Oil Free, Pasta, Refined Sugar Free, Savory Eats Tagged With: gnocchi, homemade, quick

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Comments

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  24. Hairstyles says

    February 20, 2023 at 10:02 pm

    I’m so in love with this. You did a great job!!

    Reply
  25. Elaine says

    January 12, 2023 at 3:36 am

    I’m going to make it with cheese and onion instant mash

    Reply
  26. Deb says

    October 18, 2016 at 5:43 pm

    My Grandmother, who came from Italy in the nineteen-twenties, was an amazing cook. She also made gnocchi with potato flakes, and they were fabulous,! I’ll be trying this recipe tonight.

    Reply
  27. Frances says

    March 3, 2015 at 5:46 pm

    Hello Cera……… Love the idea of instant mashed potatoes…….. Excited to try them this weekend for my family. We all love gnocchi. Can I freeze them.

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      March 3, 2015 at 8:06 pm

      Yes! Freezing them would work but make sure to freeze them BEFORE boiling them in water! I’d love to know how they turn out! Happy Cooking! 🙂

      Reply
    • Angelo DeMare says

      December 17, 2022 at 11:13 am

      You can freeze them after you make them make sure you prefreeze them put them in baggies stay good for a while. Or I made sauce then cook your gnocchi put in sauce and cheese when cool put in containers and put in freezer. Remove a container when you want them.

      Reply
  28. Linda @ Veganosity says

    February 21, 2015 at 8:58 pm

    I so love gnocchi! How cool that you made this with instant potatoes, that certainly is a time saver! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      February 23, 2015 at 8:32 am

      Such a major time saver 🙂 Thanks for the kind words and pin, Linda!

      Reply
  29. rika @ vm says

    February 21, 2015 at 5:28 am

    What a brilliant idea to use potato flakes! I remember eating vegan-friendly and flavored instant mashed potatoes in Germany, one of the cheapest staples I can find! I made carrot & potato gnocchi before, but it’s definitely a long process! I love fried gnocchi, have you tried it?

    Reply
  30. Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says

    February 21, 2015 at 2:32 am

    What a creative idea! I’ve always avoided those instant mashed potatoes on purpose, but now maybe I’ll have to give them a try 🙂

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      February 23, 2015 at 8:37 am

      I did before too, Denise!! But this recipe definitely does them justice + they are such a time saver!! 🙂

      Reply
  31. Cara's Healthy Cravings says

    February 20, 2015 at 7:43 pm

    I love making and eating gnocchi, mostly because they look like cute puffy white pillows 🙂

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      February 23, 2015 at 8:40 am

      I love how they look like cute puffy white pillows <3

      Reply
  32. Lori @ TheHealthMinded.com says

    February 20, 2015 at 1:56 am

    Hmmmm. . . not sure I’ve had instant mashed potatoes. Is that potato flakes? I have seen those on the shelves. Anyway – so interesting and fun idea! I love gnocchi,i too, and so does my family. Have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      February 23, 2015 at 8:43 am

      Yes, instant mashed potatoes and potato flakes are the same thing! 🙂 We are a big fan of gnocchi around here too! Have a great week, Lori!

      Reply
  33. Kelley @ Chef Savvy says

    February 18, 2015 at 10:21 pm

    What an awesome idea! I would have never thought to used instant mashed potatoes! What an awesome idea!

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      February 23, 2015 at 8:47 am

      Thanks so much, Kelley 🙂

      Reply
  34. Mira says

    February 18, 2015 at 3:49 pm

    Wow how did I miss this recipe! These look so easy to prepare and delicious! Definitely on my “to make ” list!

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      February 23, 2015 at 8:45 am

      Thanks so much, Mira!! Such an easy and delicious recipe 🙂 Hope you’re having a great week!

      Reply
  35. Amanda says

    February 18, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    Made these little potato puffs last night with my love and they turned out delicious!! I was a little skeptical of the potato flakes when making the dough, but i just added a bit more water and then Bob rolled it out to perfection. We also made them a bit thicker than suggested, which was a good bite size. Great recipe Ceara! It was mine and Bob’s first time making gnocchi and then we sauced it up the way we like it. Hardest part was waiting for them to cool down in the fridge haha I just wanted to eat them. Keep sending the recipes!!

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      February 23, 2015 at 8:09 am

      I am SO happy that you and Bob enjoyed them 🙂 Thanks so much for letting me know!! The photo you sent me looks absolutely delicious!

      Reply
  36. Sarah@Whole and Heavenly Oven says

    February 17, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    Who knew homemade gnocchi was all along only 4 ingredients away?! This is absolutely genius, Ceara!

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      February 17, 2015 at 5:39 pm

      Thanks so much, Sarah!! 🙂 I could not get over how easy it was either!! Hope your week is going great!

      Reply
  37. carol copps says

    February 17, 2015 at 11:29 am

    Looks great honey! Now you have to try to create the spinach ones that we made. Wonderful!

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      February 17, 2015 at 5:40 pm

      I was thinking the same thing, mom! The spinach ones you used to make were simply wonderful!

      Reply
  38. Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes.com says

    February 17, 2015 at 9:24 am

    When I saw these on Pinterest I was so sure that you must have forgotten some ingredients. I can’t believe how easy these are! I’ve never even considered making my own gnocchi but these are great! I’m sure my boys will go crazy over this recipe- like so many of your other ones 🙂

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      February 17, 2015 at 5:42 pm

      Thanks so much, Vanessa! I couldn’t get over how few ingredients are needed either. A lot of gnocchi recipes call for a lot of other stuff and egg but none of it is not necessary at all!! Let me know if you end up trying the gnocchi – I hope you are your family love it as much as we did 🙂 I’d recommend doubling or tripling the recipe though – this recipe only makes enough for two people 🙂

      Reply
  39. The Vegan 8 says

    February 17, 2015 at 7:09 am

    Wow, what a cook recipe you found Ceara!! Who knew instant mashed potatoes could be gnocchi?!! Super cool! They look so easy and delicious…my kind of recipe! I have never bought instant mashed potatoes in my life though, lol! I may try it sometime! Not really a gnocchi fan, but I do love how easy and simple this is and your red sauce looks super yummy on top!

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      February 17, 2015 at 5:44 pm

      Thanks so much, Brandi! I had never (well since my first year of university lol) bought instant mashed potatoes either but they somehow ended up in my cart at the organic shop! I was shocked by how yummy the gnocchi are with the instant mash – just as good as the original!! 🙂 Hope you are having a wonderful week!

      Reply
  40. Michele @ Two Raspberries says

    February 16, 2015 at 10:14 pm

    oh Yum yum yum!!! these looks absolutely delicious! 😉 I have NEVER made my own gnocchi but this sounds so easy I will definitely need to try this! PINNED!

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      February 17, 2015 at 5:45 pm

      Yay! Let me know if you end up trying this recipe, Michelle! It’s so ridiculous easy! Thanks so much for the kind words and pin!! <3

      Reply
  41. Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says

    February 16, 2015 at 9:39 pm

    Oh my gosh, this is genius, Ceara! I had no idea gnocchi could be made this easily! I love this shortcut hack and can’t wait to try this since I have always wanted to try making gnocchi but was always too afraid to try the traditional way. Pinned!

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      February 17, 2015 at 5:46 pm

      My thoughts exactly!! I can’t be bothered with the traditional way either – all the steps involved makes my head spin!! Hope you are having a wonderful week 🙂 Thanks for the sweet words and pin!

      Reply
  42. Manali @ CookWithManali says

    February 16, 2015 at 8:01 pm

    Whaaa! Who knew it was this easy to make gnocchi from scratch? I’m definitely trying this Ceara! Looks fabulous!

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      February 17, 2015 at 5:47 pm

      Thanks, Manali!!! It’s so ridiculously easy (and yummy!) to make Gnocchi from scratch 🙂 Thanks for the kind words!! Hope your week is going swell 🙂

      Reply
  43. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    February 16, 2015 at 1:48 pm

    I never knew you could make gnocchi like that, Ceara! Such a great way to make such a flavorful dish. Definitely trying this out! Sounds perfect for busy weeknights when I don’t feel like cooking. Gorgeous pictures, too! Pinned! Have a wonderful Monday!

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      February 17, 2015 at 5:48 pm

      Thanks, Gayle!! Meals like this are perfect for busy weeknights when cooking a big elaborate meal just isn’t in the cards lol!! You can also freeze the gnocchi before they are cooked for an even easier weeknight meal 🙂 Thanks for the kind words and pin!!

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        June 22, 2015 at 10:31 am

        Hi Ceara, sorry to say, but why not using potatoes? Potatoes flake are terrible for you! It maybe easier but you are shortening your life, it is not healthy! That’s why a lot of people don’t know how the veggies looks like. I was so sad to see that a lot of people support it. Hope you do some research and maybe think of other easy healthier recepies. Please don’t take it in the wrong way, but we need people like you that are passionate about food to influence other people 🙂

        Reply
        • Ceara says

          June 28, 2015 at 2:50 pm

          Hi Lisa, I appreciate your concern! I don’t usually cook with dehydrated potatoes but use organic dehydrated potatoes once in a while for a quick and easy “shortcut” like in this recipe. I think healthy eating is all about balance, I strive to eat fresh fruit, veggies and delicious grains for the vast majority of my diet but I believe there’s room in any healthy lifestyle for shortcuts like this once in a while. If it wasn’t for canned beans, frozen veggies and certain other prepared goods it would be a lot more difficult to eat healthy on busy days or days when I don’t have time to food prep. I try to take into account all of this when preparing recipes!

          Reply
  44. Laura says

    February 16, 2015 at 12:58 pm

    Happy Monday Ceara, we’ll you have to live off instant mashed potatoes and the Ramon in college……haha. I can’t believe you made gnocchi out of instant mashed potatoes, how creative you are! I would have never thought of that. And honestly, I don’t think I knew what gnocchi was before this post. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      February 17, 2015 at 5:50 pm

      Haha!! Yes, instant noodles and mashed potatoes and, well, boxed Mac + Cheese were basically what I lived off of my 1st year of uni! I never though I’d have the instant mash back in my house but it makes such an awesome shortcut 🙂 Hope you are having a wonderful week! <3

      Reply
  45. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says

    February 16, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    Yum! I love gnocchi and we have been making a lot of sweet potato gnocchi recently. So good!

    Reply
    • Ceara says

      February 17, 2015 at 5:50 pm

      Thanks so much, Dannii! Sweet potatoe gnocchi sounds DELICIOUS!!!!!! <3

      Reply
      • erica Sanchez says

        May 9, 2021 at 12:49 pm

        Can I use regular potatoes or has to be instant?
        Can you put cheese inside the gnocchi?

        Reply

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