Brown Butter Sage Gnocchi (Printable)

Pan-fried potato gnocchi in nutty brown butter with crispy sage and Parmesan for a cozy, elegant meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Gnocchi

01 - 500 g fresh potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)

→ Brown Butter Sage Sauce

02 - 75 g unsalted butter
03 - 20 fresh sage leaves
04 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced (optional)
05 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ To Serve

06 - 30 g grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
07 - Zest of 1 small lemon (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook until they float to the surface, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the gnocchi to a plate and pat dry with paper towels.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the sage leaves. Cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter foams, turns golden brown, and the sage becomes crispy (about 2-3 minutes). Add the minced garlic, if using, and cook for 30 seconds.
03 - Add the cooked, dried gnocchi to the skillet. Increase the heat to medium-high and pan-fry for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi are golden and slightly crisp.
04 - Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat, then toss with grated Parmesan and lemon zest (if using).
05 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and sage leaves.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Brown butter does something marvelous to even store-bought gnocchi—trust me, there's no going back.
  • The whole dish comes together faster than a delivery order, yet feels like a treat for any mood.
02 -
  • Letting the gnocchi dry thoroughly before frying keeps them from turning soggy and sad.
  • Pausing for just the right golden moment with your butter makes all the difference—if it smells nutty, pull it off the heat fast.
03 -
  • Taste the butter as it browns—the nose knows when it’s right, not just the clock.
  • Don’t skimp on Parmesan, and always finish with a fresh grind of pepper for a last burst of flavor.
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