Chef John's Potato Gnocchi

When I found one lone russet potato at the bottom of the bin, I decided to make a small batch of gnocchi--the perfect thing to do with one potato. I like a very potato-y gnocchi, so I go with just enough flour to form the dough. Other people prefer a denser, more pasta-like dumpling, and use much more flour. I know many of you hate it when I say this, but you'll just have to figure it out as you go.

• Preparation Time: 40 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 411 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg, beaten
• ½ cup all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
• 1 large russet potato
• 1 cup marinara sauce, heated, or more as needed, divided
• Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for serving

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place potato in microwave and cook on high setting until cooked through, about 7 minutes depending on the size of the potato.

Step 2

Split potato and remove flesh. Push flesh through strainer using the back of a wooden spoon in order to achieve a granular texture. Add a pinch of salt and let cool for about 10 minutes. Pour in beaten egg and stir, using the tines of a fork and trying not to mash the potato. Add about 1/3 cup flour and continue gently stirring gently with the tines of a fork until mixture starts to come together. You may need another pinch or two of flour. Fold mixture with a spatula until dough forms a mass, adding flour as needed. Using your fingers, knead dough gently to form ball, about 10 seconds.

Step 3

Shape dough into a fat log shape on a floured surface. Cut into 4 pieces. Gently roll each piece using your fingertips to form the "snake" or a long rope of dough, starting from the center and rolling toward the end until dough is about 1/2 inch thick. Cut each rope of dough into 1/2-inch pieces.

Step 4

Roll each 1/2-inch piece quickly down the back of a fork's tines to form ridges.

Step 5

Heat sauce in a skillet while you cook the gnocchi.

Step 6

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Reduce heat so water continues to simmer. Add gnocchi to water. As soon as they float to the surface after half a minute or so, cook for an additional 14 seconds. Transfer cooked gnocchi with a slotted spoon to the pan with the sauce. Stir until coated.

Step 7

Serve topped with grated cheese.