Brown Butter Sage Gnocchi (Printable Version)

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

# 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 sage sauce instantly makes humble gnocchi taste restaurant-worthy—it will surprise you how easy it is.
  • There's hardly any prep, but it always feels impressive enough to serve friends or someone you want to pamper.
02 -
  • The first time I browned butter, I walked away for a second—it burned and turned bitter fast, so always stay close to the pan.
  • Patting the boiled gnocchi completely dry before frying is the step that gives you that irresistible golden crust.
03 -
  • Making sure your butter is foamy and golden (not dark brown) is the secret to the perfect sauce—it’s ready when it smells nutty, not burnt.
  • Finishing with a dusting of lemon zest right at the very end makes every bite pop.
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