How to Reheat Gnocchi

Gnocchi is a refreshing, filling alternative for when you have had too many pasta dishes but need a quick-fix meal. You can buy pre-made gnocchi, though the dumpling is best enjoyed when made from scratch. 

Making small batches of gnocchi is difficult, so you will almost always have some to spare. But how well does gnocchi reheat? 

To reheat gnocchi, pop it into a pot of boiling water and reheat for 45 seconds. If the gnocchi is crispy, reheat it in a frying pan over a low heat for 3 minutes. You can also reheat gnocchi in the microwave.

How to Reheat Gnocchi

Cold gnocchi can still be tasty, but it is much better enjoyed when hot and covered in sauce. However, you don’t want to re-cook gnocchi as it will quickly dry out and lose that chewy potato goodness that makes it such a great meal. 

Larger batched or gnocchi are best reheated using boiling water, just like how you would typically cook gnocchi but for a much shorter period.

However, there are a few other reheating methods you may want to use instead to give your leftover gnocchi a great texture and extra flavour:

How to Reheat Gnocchi on the Stovetop

A pan of boiling water is the most effective way to reheat gnocchi. Hence why most pre-made gnocchi manufacturers instruct you to boil the gnocchi before adding it to a sauce. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Boil Some Water
   It may seem obvious, but the first thing to do is boil some water. Use a large enough pan to hold all your gnocchi while still having room to float around.
2. Drop In The Gnocchi
   Once the water has started to bubble, drop your gnocchi into the pot, being careful of any splashback. 
3. Allow To Heat
   Leave the gnocchi to warm up for around 45 – 55 seconds. 
4. Drain And Eat
   When hot to the touch, use a colander to thoroughly drain the gnocchi before adding to a sauce or serving with toppings. 

How to Reheat Gnocchi in a Frying Pan

Though gnocchi is supposed to be softer when warm, sauteed gnocchi with a crisp outer layer is equally delicious. If you have never had gnocchi on the crunchier side before, sauteeing leftover or frozen gnocchi is the perfect time to try it: 

1. Heat Some Fat In A Pan 
   It does not matter what kind of fat you use to reheat your gnocchi. Use whichever butter or oil you like the best and cover the base of your pan with the fat on a medium heat. 
2. Reduce The Heat 
   As you are only reheating the gnocchi and not cooking it, you will need to reduce the heat of your pan to a medium-low once your fat of choice has started to sizzle. Any higher, and your gnocchi will burn before it is warm. 
3. Add Gnocchi 
   Gently add your gnocchi to the pan. Ensure that the pieces are coated in the hot fat for an even reheat. You could add some herbs, onion or garlic to add flavour here.
4. Cook 
   Agitating every so often so that the gnocchi doesn’t stick to the pan, allow the gnocchi to cook for around 3 minutes. Then serve straight away. 

How to Reheat Gnocchi in the Microwave

Only have a single portion of gnocchi and want to save on washing up? No worries, you can always microwave smaller portions of gnocchi in a plastic container: 

1. Cover In Sauce 
   Gnocchi tends to dry out when reheated in the microwave, so use any leftover sauce, seasonings or toppings and pour over your gnocchi. Make sure each piece is fully covered. 
2. Leave The Lid On 
   If you have stored your gnocchi in a plastic food container, leave the lid resting at an angle on top of the container to prevent any spillages or splatters. Or, if you are using a bowl, cover with a small plate. 
3. Heat In The Microwave
   Set your microwave to a medium setting (or around a 50% heat input). Microwave your gnocchi for 1-2 minutes. 
4. Stir And Heat again
   When ready, use a fork or spoon to mix around the gnocchi and sauce, recovering all gnocchi pieces again. Then, microwave for a further 1-2 minutes or until the sauce has warmed through. 

How to Reheat Gnocchi Successfully

Gnocchi is far easier to reheat than to make from scratch, requiring little to no effort, even when following the slightly more time-consuming methods. 

Still, there are a few tips you can follow to get the most out of your leftover gnocchi: 

• Add A Little Salt– Presumably, you will add your gnocchi to a delicious sauce. But you can elevate your gnocchi by seasoning the boiling water or oil you use to reheat gnocchi. Just a pinch of salt and pepper will make all the difference. 
• Heat Your Sauce, Too! – Why not kill two birds with one stone? If you choose to reheat gnocchi in a frying pan, add your sauce to the gnocchi to warm that up at the same time. 
• Use The Wet Cloth Method – Using the microwave to reheat your gnocchi is easy enough but can lead to very dry gnocchi if you do not have any leftover sauce. Instead of making a sauce from scratch, lay out a slightly damp tea towel or paper towel in your microwave before heating the gnocchi. 

Is It Safe to Reheat Gnocchi?

Yes, gnocchi is safe to reheat. Unless you are partially skilled at making gnocchi from scratch, most people will use pre-made or frozen gnocchi and cook it using similar methods as listed above. 

There is no added danger or issue when using the same methods to reheat your own pre-cooked or freshly made gnocchi.  

Reheating Gnocchi FAQs

If you still have a query about reheating gnocchi then these FAQs might help you out: