How to Freeze Gnocchi - Complete Guide

When it comes to cooking ahead, gnocchi really is a great option.

This highly appreciated Italian specialty can be used in a wide variety of delicious dishes, and if properly frozen, can be kept for up to 6 weeks! If you want to learn how to freeze the perfect gnocchi, keep reading.

The question is: how do you freeze gnocchi perfectly? How do you ensure that the freshness and flavor remain the same as the gnocchi you eat right after cooking? The key to freezing gnocchi is to freeze it uncooked, but if you have leftovers or make an entire dish, there are ways to reheat them, too.

There are several ways to preserve your gnocchi so that both the nutrients and the flavor are preserved. You don’t have to eat leftovers that taste bland, are undercooked or overcooked, or even sometimes burnt.

Reheating is part of the process of preparing leftovers or precooked meals, but freezing and proper storage are just as crucial. If you want to make sure your gnocchi will stay delicious for weeks, we’re here to help.

How to freeze and preserve gnocchi

Gnocchi are fantastic when it comes to pre-cooking your meals. Many people choose to cook for the whole week in one day.

It really has its advantages: you won’t have to go hungry when you come home late, since your own food will be waiting for you right in the freezer.

As for gnocchi, they are a dish that is often made to pre-cook. Making gnocchi from scratch takes a bit of work, so it makes a lot of sense to make a large batch, eat a portion, and then freeze the rest.

Gnocchi goes with so many dishes that preparing it ahead of time guarantees many appetizing dinners or lunches without much effort.

Once you freeze a batch of gnocchi, all you have to do is simply reheat them, add your ingredients, and you’re done.

They really are the perfect dinner for those who value their time without wanting to compromise on the quality and taste of their food.

Did you know that freezing plays a drastically important role in the aftertaste of food? Not everything is a matter of preparation, although that also plays an important role.

If you want to achieve perfect gnocchi even a few weeks after cooking it, you will have to freeze it carefully.

Why do you have to be careful? It’s simple: gnocchi have a reputation for being quite tender. They fall apart easily when cooked.

They may also stick to the bottom of your pot or pan, stick to each other, or even stick to your freezer container. All this can be avoided by freezing the gnocchi correctly.

Our most recommended method of freezing gnocchi is to freeze it uncooked. This is because frozen and uncooked gnocchi keep better than other types, and can be stored for up to 6 weeks.

Cooked and frozen gnocchi have a comparatively short shelf life.

However, if you’ve overcooked and want to freeze the remains, that’s fine, too. And of course, if you find yourself with a leftover gnocchi dish with its toppings, you can easily save that too.

Let’s go over all the recommended methods for freezing gnocchi.

How to freeze uncooked gnocchi

This is a painstaking process, but well worth it. Raw gnocchi, if frozen correctly, will keep for weeks.

Here’s exactly how to do it.

1. Freeze the raw gnocchi by placing it in a single layer on a cookie sheet.
2. Next, place the tray in the freezer in a level position, and allow the gnocchi to freeze until solid. This process can take up to 3 hours.
3. Next, collect the frozen gnocchi and place it in resealable bags or airtight containers. Store them for 4 to 6 weeks.

How to freeze cooked gnocchi

If you have leftover cooked gnocchi, you can freeze it, but it will last less than its uncooked counterparts: we recommend 1-3 weeks.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Let the gnocchi cool completely and place them on a cookie sheet. They should not touch each other at any time. Let them freeze for 3 hours.
2. When well frozen, transfer to zip-top bags (recommended) or airtight containers.

How to Freeze Leftover Cooked Gnocchi

If you find yourself with leftovers from your gnocchi dish with toppings (sauce, cheese, etc.), you can safely freeze the dish or keep it in the fridge.

It will keep at most a few days in the fridge, and about 1-2 weeks in the freezer.

Transfer the dish to a suitable container and close it well, and then freeze it or store it in the refrigerator. Before putting it in the freezer or refrigerator, make sure that the dish is already cold.

Here are the three main methods for freezing your gnocchi related products. However, your head may still be swimming with questions. If you think you want to know more, check out our helpful tips in our in-depth guide.

Detailed Guide to Freezing Gnocchi

Now that you’ve learned how to freeze gnocchi to preserve the best flavor possible, you may think you’re ready to go, and for the most part, you’re right.

You can harness that enthusiasm and get cooking right away. However, because we want you to be more than happy with your meals, we have put together some more tips and tricks on preserving gnocchi.

Read on if you really want to wow your friends and family with your dishes, without spending hours in the kitchen every day.

Additional Tips for Freezing Uncooked Gnocchi

• Before placing the gnocchi on the baking sheet, cover it with a sheet of parchment.
• Pour flour over the parchment, just enough so that it is completely covered, but not enough that it clumps.
• Arrange the gnocchi in a very orderly fashion. They should not be stacked, otherwise they could stick together. Leave enough room for one more gnocchi between each ball of dough.
• To prevent the gnocchi from sticking, you can do the following
  • dust the dough with flour before letting them dry.
• For your gnocchi to keep well, before trying to freeze it, let it dry at room temperature for 45 minutes. This will further solidify them and help prevent the gnocchi from falling apart during the cooking process. If necessary, you can let the gnocchi dry up to 4 hours at room temperature.
• When you place the tray in the freezer, make sure it stays level. If the gnocchi are shifting and you don’t notice it, there is a high risk of sticking. Gnocchi that sticks together in the freezer has a good chance of falling apart in the reheating process.
• Once you transfer the gnocchi to a bag or container, be sure to label it with the freeze date.
• If you’ve done a good job freezing the gnocchi and followed all the steps above, you can keep it for up to 2 months!

Do not do the following:

• Do not freeze the gnocchi as soon as they form. Air dry them first.

Additional Tips for Freezing Gnocchi

• Cooked gnocchi doesn’t keep as well as raw, so make sure you don’t try to eat it after about 2 weeks.
• Label the container to ensure that you are eating fresh enough food.
• If you are freezing cooked gnocchi without sauces or dressings, we recommend that you follow the methods for freezing uncooked gnocchi. Skip the air-drying part, though, and go straight to pre-freezing on a cookie sheet.

Related questions

If your mind is still filled with questions, we are here to help! Reading these latest tips will truly make you a master of the art of gnocchi freezing, and therefore a delicious meal is always just a moment away.

Can gnocchi or gnocchi dough be kept uncooked in the fridge?

The answer is a definit no. If you try to store the uncooked gnocchi in the fridge, the dough will darken and runny, so we don’t recommend trying to cook it afterwards. It is better that you cook them right away, or that you keep them in the freezer.

Why is it better to freeze the gnocchi when it is not yet cooked?

The reason is that uncooked gnocchi keep much better than cooked ones. You also run the risk of your gnocchi falling apart in the reheating process if you freeze it when it’s already cooked.

You can, of course, but there is a risk that you will have trouble reheating it later. Uncooked gnocchi, when frozen properly, will keep for up to 2 months (we recommend 6 weeks in most cases).

Does the gnocchi need to be thawed before reheating?

Definitely not. The end result can be unfortunate: your gnocchi can fall apart. Do not thaw them before reheating. Simply bring a pot of salted water to a boil and reheat them in small portions for a short time.