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Hungry Healthy Happy ยป Recipes ยป Italian

Leftover Mashed Potato Gnocchi

Updated: Nov 2, 2024 ยท Published: Mar 5, 2021 ยท Written by Dannii Martin ยท This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made ยท 22 Comments

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Diet: Vegetarian
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Leftover mashed potato gnocchi on a serving board with a text title overlay.

If you always make WAY too much mashed potato, then make sure none of it goes to waste by using what is left to make this super easy Leftover Mashed Potatoes Gnocchi. Just 3 ingredients and less than 10 minutes from start to finish and you have yourself some delicious, light and pillowy comfort food to reduce food waste.

A round wooden serving board covered in uncooked gnocchi.

Whilst leftover mashed potato isn't something we often have (we are huge potato fans), when we do and we want something a little different from mashed potato cakes, we make this leftover mashed potato gnocchi.

If you thought that making your own gnocchi would be difficult, then think again. Just mix the potato with flour and egg, roll out, chop up and then cook in 3 minutes.

Jump to:
  • Why You Will Love It
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • How To Make Gnocchi - Step By Step
  • How To Cook Gnocchi
  • What Potatoes to Use for Gnocchi
  • To Roll or Not to Roll
  • How To Serve Gnocchi
  • Extra Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Potato Recipes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

Why You Will Love It

  • The best way to use leftover mashed potatoes
  • Reduces food waste
  • Ready in just 10 minutes
  • Just 3 ingredients
  • Versatile
  • Freezes well
  • Delicious comfort food
  • Vegan option

Ingredients and Substitutions

The three ingredients needed for this recipe laid out with text overlay labels.

A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

  • Mashed potato - This recipe uses leftover mashed potato, but feel free to make some just for this recipe.
  • Flour - Use plain flour (all purpose flour) for making gnocchi.
  • Egg - Fresh is always best and try to always go for organic or free range.

More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.

How To Make Gnocchi - Step By Step

A large mixing bowl containing gnocchi dough.
  1. Step 1: Put the mashed potato and egg in a bowl and add half the flour. Use a wooden spoon and gently mix together. Add a little more flour at a time until you get the right consistency and then use your hands to mix it together.
A wooden chopping board with gnocchi dough rolled into a long sausage shape.
  1. Step 2: Cut the dough into 4 pieces and then put each piece on a lightly floured surface and using your hands, roll it out to about 1 inch thickness.
A chopping board with cut gnocchi on it.
  1. Step 3: Cut the roll into 1 inch wide pieces.
A wooden serving board covered in uncooked gnocchi.
  1. Step 4: Repeat with the remaining dough.
A board of patterned gnocchi.
  1. Step 5: Using a fork or gnocchi board, pattern the individual gnocchi.

How To Cook Gnocchi

Bring a pan of water to the boil and carefully add the gnocchi. Reduce the heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes, until the gnocchi rises to the top of the water.

Drain or remove the gnocchi with a slotted spoon and serve with your favorite sauce of choice.

What Potatoes to Use for Gnocchi

The potatoes really are the key ingredient here and whilst traditional gnocchi wouldn't use a buttery and creamy mashed potato, we think leftovers make a delicious gnocchi that reduces food waste from big events like Christmas and Thanksgiving.

When it comes to what mashed potato to use, this gnocchi recipe is pretty forgiving and you can use your favourite mashed potatoes. However, try to use one that is made with russet potatoes, as we find they make the best gnocchi.

Looking for some mashed potato recipes to make and then use the leftovers to make this? We have got you covered!

  • Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
  • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
  • The BEST Creamy Mashed Potatoes
  • Mustard Mash
A potato masher in some potatoes.

To Roll or Not to Roll

See those nice ridges on the gnocchi, that helps the sauce really cling to them? You don't have to do it, and it will save you a few minutes by not bothering, but we think it is worth the effort.

You can buy a special gnocchi board to roll them down, but we just used the back of a fork. Just be really careful as you roll them down the prongs, as you don't wan't to squash them. You can see how we did it in our recipe video.

How To Serve Gnocchi

What we love about gnocchi is how versatile it is. Basically, any way you can serve pasta, you can serve gnocchi. You can turn it in to a bake with our Spinach and Tomato Gnocchi Bake or you can serve it with your favourite tomato based or creamy pasta sauce.

It works with a cheese sauce, pesto, a bolognese or simply some melted butter and parmesan. We went with our Easy Tomato Pasta Sauce and some spinach for a green boost.

Extra Tips

  • The amount of flour you use in this recipe will really depend on the consistency of your mashed potato. We have added an amount as a guide, and it's how much we used in our recipe, but you really have to eyeball it and get a feel for the texture. It should feel light and a little stretchy, but not sticky. If it is too sticky as you are rolling it out, then you can add some more flour then.
  • Fold everything together as gently as possible. If you overwork everything, then you can end up with dense gnocchi.
  • We have given the cooking time as a guideline, however the gnocchi will be cooked when it rises to the top of the water.
A bowl of gnocchi in a tomato sauce with a spoon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mashed potato gnocchi healthy?

We have used creamy and indulgent mashed potatoes to make this gnocchi recipe, so it isn't as healthy as say a more traditional gnocchi recipe that would just use plain boiled potato. But, as long as you are mindful of portions, this can be a balanced and nutritious meal. Use a tomato based sauce and add lots of vegetables to keep it lighter.

Can you make leftover mashed potatoes gnocchi vegan?

Yes, you certainly can. Firstly, make sure that the mashed potatoes you are using are vegan to begin with. We have tips on making vegan versions of our mashed potato recipes in their individual posts. Then, you can just leave out the egg in this recipe. The egg can sometimes make gnocchi a little dense, so it can be left out. You will need less flour if you aren't using egg.

Can you freeze gnocchi?

Yes, this gnocchi freezes really well. So, if you have a LOT of leftover mashed potato, then make a big batch of this gnocchi and you can freeze is for quick and easy weeknight meals. Once the gnocchi is made, lay it out on a baking sheet (that will fit in your freezer) in a single layer and then put in the freezer for 3-4 hours. Once it is frozen, you can put it in an airtight container. It will keep for up to 3 months.

How to cook frozen gnocchi

When you want to cook the gnocchi from frozen, simply put it in to boiling water and cook. They will take a few minutes longer than cooking them from fresh, so just wait for them to rise to the top. Don't defrost them before cooking, as they will all stick together.

More Potato Recipes

  • Air fryer roast potatoes in a round bowl.
    Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
  • A tray of easy cheesy potato bake with a portion spooned out.
    Easy Cheesy Potato Bake
  • Mediterranean Potato Salad in an oval serving bowl.
    Mediterranean Potato Salad
  • Oven baked hash browns with a poached egg on a bed of cooked spinach.
    Oven Baked Hash Browns

If you’ve tried this homemade gnocchi recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

Recipe

Leftover mashed potato gnocchi on a wooden serving board.

Leftover Mashed Potato Gnocchi

By: Dannii Martin
Just 3 ingredients and less than 10 minutes from start to finish and you have yourself some delicious, light and pillowy gnocchi.
An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
Vegetarian
5 from 30 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Prep: 6 minutes mins
Cook: 4 minutes mins
Total: 10 minutes mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 203kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a cracked egg.
Eggs
An illustration of two ears of wheat.
Gluten

Ingredients

  • 330 g (1.5 cups) Mashed potato
  • 130 g (1 cups) Plain flour
  • 1 Egg - whisked

Instructions

  • Put the mashed potato and egg in a bowl and add half the flour. Use a wooden spoon and gently mix together. Add a little more flour at a time until you get the right consistency and then use your hands to mix it together.
  • Cut the dough in to 4 pieces and then put each piece on a floured board and using your hands, roll it out to about 1 inch thickness.
  • Cut the roll in to 1 inch width pieces.
  • Repeat with the remaining dough.
  • Using a fork or gnocchi board, pattern the individual gnocchi.

Recipe Tips

  • The amount of flour you use in this recipe will really depend on the consistency of your mashed potato. We have added an amount as a guide, and it's how much we used in our recipe, but you really have to eyeball it and get a feel for the texture. It should feel light and a little stretchy, but not sticky. If it is too sticky as you are rolling it out, then you can add some more flour then.
  • Fold everything together as gently as possible. If you overwork everything, then you can end up with dense gnocchi.
  • We have given the cooking time as a guideline, however the gnocchi will be cooked when it rises to the top of the water.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 226IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 4mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

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Comments

  1. Gail Montero says

    March 08, 2021 at 4:42 pm

    5 stars
    What a delicious idea for leftover mashed potatoes! Need to try this soon!

    Reply
  2. Michelle says

    March 08, 2021 at 4:31 pm

    5 stars
    Probably the best EVER use for leftover mashed potatoes. Simple ingredients and so yummy!

    Reply
  3. Biana says

    March 07, 2021 at 5:40 pm

    5 stars
    This is the best idea for using up leftover mashed potatoes! The gnocchi look like the ones from the restaurant, will be making them very soon.

    Reply
  4. Toni says

    March 07, 2021 at 5:38 pm

    5 stars
    I've never made gnocchi before this was both easy and delicious! Everyone in my family absolutely loved it.

    Reply
  5. Beth Sachs says

    March 07, 2021 at 5:28 pm

    5 stars
    I always make way too much mashed potato! This is such a clever idea for leftovers!

    Reply
  6. Michelle says

    March 07, 2021 at 5:23 pm

    5 stars
    Such a great way to use up those leftover mashed potatoes! And it's a great way to get my kids to help out in the kitchen! :)

    Reply
  7. Jennifer says

    March 07, 2021 at 5:21 pm

    5 stars
    I love using up leftovers and I'm excited to try this recipe! I'll make sure to save enough mashed taters from our dinner tonight and try it tomorrow!

    Reply
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My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.

Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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