8 Traditional kinds of gnocchi plus delicious ways to serve them!
Many Italian regions claim gnocchi as their own. But, although they are more most traditional in the North, Italians eat gnocchi throughout the country. The most well-known of these Italian dumplings are prepared using potatoes with flour and eggs. However, there are a number of different types of Italian gnocchi including those with bread, fresh ricotta, spinach, pumpkin or just semolina flour.
A little gnocchi history.
Among the oldest types of Italian gnocchi are bread dumplings from the South Tirol known as canederli. Canederli are large round dumplings made with stale bread, milk, flour and egg. Some Italians refer to these dumplings as bread gnocchi (gnocchi di pane) and there are also different kinds of bread gnocchi throughout Italy.
Other types of gnocchi have existed in Italy since the Renaissance or even earlier. Actually, some food historians say it was the Romans who first discovered and then introduced dumplings to other European countries. However, the Romans made their dumplings with just semolina flour and eggs.
In 15th century Lombardy, they made gnocchi called zanzarelli with bread, milk, cheese and ground almonds. Later, some gnocchi started to be made from a dough of flour and breadcrumbs mixed with water and pushed through the holes of a cheese grater.
In the 17th century, the almonds in zanzarelli were replaced by flour and the water by eggs. These gnocchi were called malfatti, which means ‘badly made’ and is still the name that Tuscans use for their flour, spinach and ricotta dumplings also called ‘gnudi'.
Interestingly, Italian potato gnocchi only date back to the start of the 18th century, long after potatoes were brought to Europe from South America by Spanish explorers and introduced to Italian kitchens. During the 16th and 17th century, in most parts of Europe, people regarded potatoes with suspicion, distaste and fear. In fact, they used them only as animal fodder, to feed prisoners of war and sustenance for the starving.
8 different types of Italian gnocchi.
Here is a collection of different types of Italian gnocchi featured on The Pasta Project with tasty ways to serve them. These recipes come from various parts of the country. They are all pretty easy to make and seriously delicious!
Click on the gnocchi title to go to the recipe
Classic potato gnocchi.
Potato gnocchi are the most common type of gnocchi in Italy. With the right kind of potatoes they aren’t hard to make. In fact, once you have done it, you’ll never go back to buying ready-made! Plus, there are so many delicious ways to serve them!
Pumpkin gnocchi.
These traditional pumpkin and potato gnocchi are a great way to use pumpkin puree. And, they only need some sage butter and grated cheese to be served in a very flavourful way.
Spinach gnocchi from Abruzzo.
This hearty homemade spinach and potato gnocchi together with a traditional lamb ragu is a recipe from Abruzzo in Central Italy that is perfect for Sundays and holidays, particularly Easter. You can prepare both the gnocchi and the ragu in advance and freeze for another day. Plus, you can serve the gnocchi with other kinds of ragu too!
Ricotta gnocchi from Piemonte.
This traditional ricotta gnocchi with mushrooms is a divine recipe from the mountains of Piemonte (Piedmont), in North West Italy. Typically, made with Piemontese ricotta and fresh porcini, this vegetarian recipe is just as good with other types of ricotta and mushrooms.
Ricotta gnocchi (gnudi)from Tuscany.
This ricotta gnudi with black truffle is a heavenly dish made with Tuscan gnudi (gnocchi). Even without black truffles you will love these exquisite ricotta dumplings!
Ricotta/Spinach gnocchi (gnudi) from Tuscany.
In this two recipes in one post, Tuscan gnudi (malfatti) from Tuscany are baked in a savoury homemade tomato sauce with mozzarella or you can serve them in a simple sage butter!
Canederli (bread gnocchi) from the South Tirol.
Italian bread gnocchi (canederli) in broth is a tasty and easy way to use up stale bread. This is a signature dish from the stunning South Tirol that is warming, comforting, filling and healthy! Simple Alpine food at its best!
Semolina gnocchi from Rome.
These gnocchi alla Romana are one of the most famous examples of pre-or non-potato gnocchi. They are very similar to the types of dumplings enjoyed in Ancient Rome, hence the name ‘alla Romana’ (Roman gnocchi). They are rich but light and a real melt in your mouth treat!
Save to Pinterest, so you can try these different types of Italian gnocchi later.
If you do one or more of these different types of Italian gnocchi, I’d love to hear what you think. Please write a comment here on the blog or post a comment on the Pasta Project Facebook page.
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Buon Appetito!
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Anindya Sundar Basu says
Thanks for this wonderful post and for enlightening us on different types of Gnocchi. I love gnocchi and never knew that there were so many types. Keep them coming
LaRena Fry says
Gnocchi is such a comfort food. Homemade gnocchi has got to be the ultimate in comfort food. Thanks for sharing.
Sonila says
I love all these gnocchi types, especially spinach and ricotta!! They all look amazing though:)). Such great recipes!! And I bet my kids would love the pumpkin ones!! Saving this for later.
Shikha says
In Italian food, I know about pasta, pizza and garlic bread. This is all new recipes for me. Thanks for sharing.
Cooking Coders says
Wow, I didn't realize how many different types of gnocchi there are! I will most definitely have to broaden my horizons and try some new varities you've mentioned here soon.
Beth says
The pumpkin gnocchi and the spinach gnocchi look particularly good to me. I can't imagine viewing potatoes with fear and am glad we don't see them that way today!
Deborah says
This post makes me want to whip up some gnocchi tonight! I am interested in trying the ricotta and also the spinach variations. Thanks for sharing!
Angela says
Ricotta gnocchi is my favorite - top it with pesto and I am in heaven.
Relle says
These are so fun. Can't wait to try it.
Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli says
I love them all and have made most of them. I have never made canederli though! It's nice to have them grouped all in one post for future reference. Thank you!
Addison LaBonte says
I love gnocchi but never knew there were so many types! This is such a helpful guide to all things gnocchi!
Debbie says
I always love reading your post, they are so informative and make my mouth water. I love Gnocchi and I want all of them lol
Moop Brown says
I love the variety of the different types of gnocchi provided in this post and definitely want to try making some of these. Thanks!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
This is such an informative post and for a reader like me who loves Italian food, this is a amazing to learn the history of that food as well. We love gnocchi but have only tried the basic one. I love this list and I am going to give a few more different recipes a try and add it to my collection.
Jenny says
This post is so informative. I had no idea of all these different types of gnocchi. Wow, that is incredible. I am so fond of the pumpkin gnocchi but really love them all. Thank you so much for this great info.
Tristin @ Home Cooked Harvest says
Love all the different types of gnocchi you have here. I was unaware there were so many!! Beautiful presentation and can't wait to try the pumpkin flavor!!
Jacqui says
Thank you Tristin! Pumpkin gnocchi are so good. I'm sure you'll love them!
Amanda Dixon says
They all sound delicious! Thanks for all the info -- I always love learning more about Italian food culture. Can't wait to make my way through this list!
Jacqui says
Thanks Amanda! I'm sure you'll love any of these gnocchi recipes you try! So many good things to eat here in Italy but pasta, pizza and gnocchi are my favourites!
Sharon says
I love gnocchi so much so this post is great now that you've outlined even more delicious types.
Jacqui says
Thanks Sharon! Yes, Italians make lots of delicious types of gnocchi. This list is just a few of my favourites! More to come!
Linda says
Love gnocchi and I want to try that ricotta spinach version. Sounds so comforting and perfect for when you need a bowl of comfort food at home.
Jacqui says
I love gnocchi too Linda. The ricotta and spinach gnudi recipe is fantastic. I'm sure you'll love it!