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Vegetarian, South and mountains

Chestnut gnocchi with sage butter

Chestnut gnocchi with sage butter is a vegetarian dish for 4 people, ready in 30 minutes, rated easy, for €3.20 per serving. The key to success is browning the butter with sage until it turns amber and drying the gnocchi well before pan frying, so they crisp up instead of sticking.

Here are pan fried chestnut gnocchi with sage butter, a gentle little taste of autumn.

Chestnut gnocchi with sage butter
Total time
30 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.20
Calories per person
590 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter
The kids
They generally like it

Chestnut flour gives these gnocchi a rounder, slightly sweet flavor compared to classic potato gnocchi. Pan fried after boiling, they develop a golden, crisp crust that contrasts with their soft, pillowy center. The sage butter wraps each gnocchi in a warm, almost woodsy aroma, the kind you want on cool autumn evenings.

This dish works just as well for a quick weeknight dinner as for a slightly more polished Sunday meal with guests. Kids tend to love the soft texture and mild flavor, especially if you go easy on the pepper. The crushed hazelnuts add the crunch that really makes this dish come together.

The ingredients

4 people

Dairy

  • Chestnut flour gnocchi 700 g
  • Butter 80 g
  • Parmesan 60 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Sage 10 leaves

Pantry

  • Crushed hazelnuts 40 g
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs, Tree nuts

The step by step recipe

  1. Drop the gnocchi into boiling salted water and remove them as soon as they float to the surface. 3 min

    Don't let them boil too long, they turn mushy.

  2. Drain them well and pat them dry on a kitchen towel.

    Dry gnocchi brown much better.

  3. Melt the butter over medium heat with the sage leaves until it turns brown and nutty. 3 min

    Watch the color closely, brown butter can turn black fast.

  4. Add the gnocchi and brown them on all sides. 8 min

    Don't stir too much, let them form a nice crust.

  5. Serve with grated parmesan, hazelnuts, salt, and pepper.

    A few toasted hazelnuts add the crunch that's otherwise missing.

Our tips to get it right

  • Use a wide pan so the gnocchi have room to spread out, otherwise they steam instead of browning.
  • Dry toast the crushed hazelnuts for a few minutes before adding them, it brings out their flavor a lot more.
  • Grate the parmesan at the very last moment, right onto the hot gnocchi, so it softens slightly without turning stringy.

The variations

  • Swap the parmesan for pecorino for a sharper, saltier bite.
  • For a richer version, add a handful of roasted pumpkin cubes along with the gnocchi.
  • For kids, go light on the pepper and serve the gnocchi plain with just parmesan, skipping the hazelnuts if they're not a fan of nuts.

What to serve it with

  • A simple lamb's lettuce and walnut salad
  • A pumpkin soup starter
  • A glass of sparkling pear juice

Storage

Cooked gnocchi keep for 2 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Reheat them in a pan with a little butter so they regain their crust, the microwave makes them too soft. Freezing isn't recommended once they're pan fried, the texture turns mushy.

Questions about this dish

Can I use regular potato gnocchi instead?

Yes, but the flavor will be more neutral and less autumnal. Chestnut flour brings a particular sweetness that regular gnocchi don't have.

How do I know when the brown butter is ready?

It turns an amber color and smells like toasted hazelnuts. Take the pan off the heat right away, it keeps cooking from residual heat.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can boil and dry the gnocchi ahead, then pan fry them just before serving. The sage butter should always be made at the last minute to keep its full aroma.

Can I use a different nut instead of hazelnuts?

Sliced almonds or crushed walnuts work well as a substitute. Toast them lightly first to boost their flavor.

How long does it take to make chestnut gnocchi with sage butter?

Count 30 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in chestnut gnocchi with sage butter?

About 590 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does chestnut gnocchi with sage butter cost?

About €3.20 per serving, or €12.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs, tree nuts. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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