How to Reheat Leftover Gnocchi

While you may not think you can reheat your leftover gnocchi, you certainly can. While the texture may not be quite as good as the first night, you can still enjoy your dish. There are a few tips and tricks for keeping your gnocchi good even after it’s been reheated.

Gnocchi can be fairly fragile, so you want to take extra care when you’re reheating them. You can choose to use the oven, the microwave, the stove, or even a steamer. All of these methods have pros and cons, which you’ll read more about below.

How to Reheat Leftover Gnocchi in the Microwave

This method is especially effective when you have a sauce with your leftover gnocchi. This can be pasta sauce or any other type of sauce.

  1. Place your leftover gnocchi into a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. If they’re not already combined, add in your sauce and mix it with the gnocchi.
  3. Place a damp paper towel over the bowl of leftover gnocchi.
  4. Heat for 45-60 seconds, then stir the gnocchi.
  5. Continue heating for another 15-20 seconds, until properly reheated.

The damp paper towel creates a bit of steam as the gnocchi is reheating. This keeps the gnocchi from drying out. Consume the gnocchi soon after it’s finished in the microwave for the best texture.

How to Reheat Leftover Gnocchi in the Oven

The oven works great for gnocchi dishes that have an added sauce. This helps the gnocchi to stay tender and not dry out during the reheating process. You can also choose to add in a splash of water, to create a bit of steam.

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Place your leftover gnocchi into an oven-safe dish.
  3. Combine your gnocchi with the sauce if they’re not already mixed.
  4. Cover the dish with foil or a lid and heat for 8-10 minutes.
  5. Remove the hot dish carefully and allow the gnocchi a moment to cool before eating.
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Near the end of the heating time, you can choose to remove the foil. You can also sprinkle on some parmesan if you have gnocchi with pasta sauce. The oven works great for larger batches of leftovers.

How to Reheat Leftover Gnocchi on the Stove

If you wish to use the stovetop to reheat your gnocchi, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps. Heating your leftover gnocchi in boiling water works best for plain gnocchi. If you have a sauce or any other extras with the gnocchi, you may want to choose a different method.

  1. Fill a medium-sized pot with water and bring it to a boil.
  2. Generously salt your boiling water before adding in the gnocchi.
  3. Stir the gnocchi gently as they’re reheating.
  4. Remove the gnocchi using a slotted spoon.

There is another stovetop method for gnocchi and that is to use a frying pan. The texture may result in being a bit firmer.

  1. Heat a frying pan to medium heat.
  2. Lightly oil or butter the pan before adding in your leftover gnocchi.
  3. Pan-fry the gnocchi for 3-4 minutes, making sure to cook both sides.
  4. Remove the pan from the heat and give the gnocchi a few minutes to cool off.

This is a quick and easy way to reheat your gnocchi. If you wish to add a sauce to the gnocchi, do so at the end of the heating process.

How to Reheat Leftover Gnocchi in the Steamer

If you happen to have a steamer, then this can be a suitable method for reheating leftover gnocchi.

  1. Set your steamer up on the stove and bring the water to a simmer.
  2. Place the leftover gnocchi into the steamer.
  3. Heat the gnocchi for 3-4 minutes or until they’re completely warmed through.
  4. Remove the gnocchi and allow a moment for cooling before digging in.
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This method works best for plain gnocchi, without a sauce. Steaming allows for the gnocchi to gently and evenly reheat, without drying it out. The steam has a bit of a tenderizing effect on the gnocchi.

Can You Freeze Gnocchi?

Absolutely! Gnocchi freezes quite well but you need to follow best practices to retain good quality. It’s recommended to freeze gnocchi right after shaping them.

If you have already cooked your gnocchi, it can still be frozen. Allow the gnocchi to cool completely before sealing it into a freezer-safe container. Once sealed, place the gnocchi into the freezer.

Frozen gnocchi should last for up to six months if stored safely and properly. Make sure you label the date onto the container. This way, you know how long the gnocchi has been stored in the freezer.

Can You Reheat Frozen Gnocchi?

If you find yourself with some frozen gnocchi, it’s important to cook it without thawing it first. Defrosting the gnocchi can result in a mushy and unpleasant texture.

  1. Bring a pot full of salted water to a rolling boil.
  2. Gently place your frozen gnocchi into the water and mix slowly.
  3. Give the gnocchi a few minutes to reheat before removing them from the boiling water.
  4. Drain the gnocchi thoroughly before consuming or adding it into a sauce.

This is very similar to the stovetop method from above. This process will take an extra minute or two since they were frozen first.

In Conclusion

Gnocchi can make for a delicious dish and is often eaten with a bit of browned butter or with a pasta sauce. There’s no need to throw out your leftovers, as you can reheat them well the next day.

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You can choose to go with the oven, the stove, or the microwave to reheat your gnocchi. If you have a steamer, you can even use that! Make sure to consume your leftovers after reheating. If you reheat them multiple times, the safety becomes questionable.

If you froze your gnocchi first, you can still reheat them. You don’t even have to bother with defrosting first. Follow the tips above to ensure that you’re reheated gnocchi doesn’t turn out chewy or mushy.