How to reheat gnocchi (and gnocchi dishes)

Gnocchi are highly regarded around the world, and there’s a good reason for that. Easy to make or buy, gnocchi taste amazing and make a wonderful base for many fantastic dishes. If you also like gnocchi and want to make sure you reheat it correctly, you’ve come to the right place.

How to reheat gnocchi and gnocchi dishes? There are many ways, but the most commonly used method is to put the gnocchi in boiling water. The gnocchi should be reheated straight from the freezer to prevent sticking.

We’ve personally tested various methods, and we can confidently say that there are some amazing ways to reheat your gnocchi so it tastes like the first day.

If you’ve ever been the victim of eating off-tasting leftovers, it may not have been because the food was spoiled. Reheating plays a crucial role in preparing leftovers, and gnocchi respond very well to it, if done right. Take a look at our article and learn how to reheat gnocchi perfectly.

How to reheat gnocchi

Gnocchi is a wonderful dish because it can be frozen and reheated quickly and easily. (If you don’t know how to properly freeze gnocchi, be sure to check out my comprehensive guide .

If you, like many others, don’t have the ability to cook dinner from scratch every day, I’m sure you’ve come to appreciate cooking ahead and reheating. But do these foods taste as good as if they were made fresh?

The answer is probably “not always.” Many dishes are difficult to reheat in such a way that they maintain all the nutrients and, above all, the flavor. If you find that your dishes taste a little bland after reheating them, it may be that there is a small step missing in your routine that has a big impact on the final result.

The biggest – and most common – problem when it comes to gnocchi is the fact that they tend to stick together, especially if they aren’t cooked straight from the freezer in plenty of boiling water.

That is why the microwave is not always the ideal solution, which does not mean that you cannot use it.

The preparation of the gnocchi does not require a lot of time, but it does require a lot of attention and the use of the appropriate methods. Aside from sticking, they’re pretty brittle overall. If they are cooked incorrectly, they can fall apart or disintegrate.

Since they are so cute, they really do require a little extra attention. You won’t spend much more time following our methods, but the end result will be delicious.

Methods for reheating gnocchi vary, depending on whether your gnocchi is frozen or cooked. Read on to choose the best one for you.

How to reheat frozen gnocchi

Remember that this type of gnocchi must be reheated directly from the freezer. Don’t let your gnocchi thaw first.

• Use stove #1. This is the only method for cooking frozen gnocchi; We absolutely do not recommend that you try to use the microwave or oven. You should use a very large pot (or two pots for larger amounts of gnocchi) of boiling water. Stir gently while cooking; be delicate. You can cover the pot if necessary.
• Using a No. 2 stove: the slow pot method. This is an additional method that should keep your gnocchi intact. Arrange the gnocchi in a non-stick pan greased with oil, then add a little water and cover the pan. Cook them until they have gone through the liquid and steam, then remove the lid. Brown the bottom surface in the remaining oil and turn them over.

How to reheat cooked gnocchi

If your gnocchi is already cooked and you now want to reheat the leftovers, you have a few more methods in your arsenal.

• In the kitchen: You can simply reheat the gnocchi in the same way as if they were frozen. Place them in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring gently as they cook.
• Using the microwave: This method is especially recommended for gnocchi dishes that already include extras, such as a sauce. Place them in a microwave-safe bowl, and add the sauce and some cheese if you like. Heat them over medium heat for one minute, then turn them over and repeat the operation until they are heated through.
• Using the oven: again, we recommend this method only for gnocchi dishes and not for gnocchi alone. Place your dish in an oven-safe container, adding back sauce or extra cheese if desired. Cover it with aluminum foil and reheat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

As you can see, there are many methods for reheating gnocchi, all of which are worth the little extra time. If you’re used to microwaving frozen gnocchi, you’ll be surprised at how much flavor can be preserved by careful reheating.

While the methods above should guide you through, we’ve put together a complete step-by-step guide to really show you how to reheat the best gnocchi dishes. Read on to choose your favorite method.

Step-by-step guide to reheating cooked gnocchi

We all know how to use the oven or microwave, but remember that different dishes require different types of reheating?

That is certainly the case with gnocchi. Depending on whether your gnocchi was frozen uncooked or cooked, or has been kept in the fridge after cooking, you’ll need to choose the right option for your reheating needs.

reheat frozen gnocchi

If you’ve frozen your gnocchi before or after cooking, the only methods of reheating it effectively and safely are on the stove.

1. Your gnocchi should be cooked straight from the freezer. Do not thaw them before cooking.
2. Bring 6 liters of salted water to a boil. We recommend that you use two different pots for this.
3. Shake off the excess flour from the frozen gnocchi.
4. Divide them gently between the two pots. Stir as you do.
5. Once all the gnocchi are in the pots, cover them with lids to bring the water back to a boil as soon as possible.
6. Cook for about 3 minutes.
7. Drain them well.

There is also another method, known as the soft Chinese potsticker method. This method ensures that the gnocchi will not fall apart as it cooks.

1. Grease a nonstick skillet with oil.
2. Place the gnocchi in the pan.
3. Add a little water (or broth, if you prefer)
4. Cover the pan and cook until the gnocchi have cooked in the liquid and steam.
5. Remove the lid and brown the bottom surface of the gnocchi in the remaining oil.
6. Turn them over so that they are browned on the second side as well.

How to reheat cooked gnocchi

In general, it is recommended to freeze uncooked gnocchi as soon as you can after shaping it. However, if you have a gnocchi dish that you want to reheat, here’s how to do it.

Boiling Reheat

1. Boil a large pot of salted water.
2. Place the leftover gnocchi in a colander.
3. Submerge them in the boiling water.
4. Let them heat up for about 30-60 seconds.
5. Remove them from the water and mix them with the sauce and any leftover ingredients.

If you don’t have a colander, you can remove a pot of boiling water from the heat and add the gnocchi to it. Remove them after a minute or two.

Reheat the gnocchi in the microwave

This method is recommended for leftover gnocchi dishes that include sauce and dressings.

1. Place leftovers in a microwave-safe container.
2. If necessary, add a little sauce, cheese or spices. Stir carefully.
3. Over medium heat, reheat your gnocchi dish for one minute.
4. Remove them or flip them over, and repeat the process.

Reheat the gnocchi in the oven

Once again, this method is dedicated to gnocchi dishes and not the gnocchi alone.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place your dish in an oven-safe container.
3. Add more sauce, spices, cheese, etc. You can also add some liquid (water or broth), but not too much.
4. Cover with aluminum foil.
5. Heat for 5-10 minutes.

Related questions

There are many methods to successfully reheat gnocchi, and we hope our guide helped you find your way. However, if you’re still unsure about some things, we’ve prepared a handy FAQ for you to read.

Can gnocchi be reheated in a skillet?

Yes, we have already explained it in our guide. You can even reheat the gnocchi in a skillet, but we’ve found that the best results in terms of flavor preservation are obtained using the microwave or oven. However, if you want, you can always try it. Put your gnocchi in a non-stick pan and add the sauce. Stir frequently while frying.

What is the best way to freeze gnocchi?

We recommend that you freeze the uncooked gnocchi as soon as you finish shaping it. You can see my full guide to freezing gnocchi here. Arrange them in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Place the mold in the freezer in a horizontal position. Let them freeze for about 3 hours, and then put them together in resealable bags or airtight containers. You can store them up to 6 weeks.