I prepared a kilo of homemade gnocchi, but only for two people. The question that popped up soon was, can gnocchi be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze gnocchi. This much-loved Italian dumpling specialty can be used in a variety of delicious dishes, and when frozen properly, can be kept for up to 1-2 months!
If you want to learn how to freeze the perfect gnocchi, keep reading below. Reheating is one part of the process of preparing leftovers or convenience foods, but freezing and proper storage are just as crucial. If you want to make sure your gnocchi stays delicious for weeks, we’re here to help.
Read on if you want to surprise your friends and family with your dishes, without having to spend hours in the kitchen every day.
Do Gnocchi Freeze Well?
Yes, gnocchi freeze just fine as long as you take the basic precautions. Why should you be careful? It’s simple: gnocchi is known to be quite tender. They fall apart easily when cooked.
Freezing has its advantages: you won’t have to go hungry when you come home late, since your food will be waiting for you in your freezer.
The disadvantages though are that the texture and quality will change with time. The longer you will keep them in the freezer the worse the taste will be.
So it is best to consume them earlier than later.
How to Freeze Gnocchi?
The question is: how do you freeze gnocchi to perfection? How do you ensure that the freshness and flavor are the same as the gnocchi you eat immediately after cooking? The key to freezing gnocchi is to freeze them uncooked, but if you have leftovers or make an entire dish, there are ways to reheat it too.
Our most recommended method of freezing gnocchi is to freeze them raw. This is because frozen raw gnocchi keeps better than other types and can be stored for up to 2 months.
However, if you’ve overcooked and want to freeze the leftovers, that’s more than fine, too. And of course, if you find yourself with a leftover gnocchi dish complete with toppings, you can easily store that too.
Let’s look at the different scenarios.
How to Freeze Raw Gnocchi?
This is a painstaking process, but it is well worth the time. Raw gnocchi, when frozen properly, will keep for weeks.
Here’s exactly how to do it.
- To freeze your raw gnocchi the best way is to arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Then place the tray horizontally in the freezer and let the gnocchi freeze until they are hard.
- Next, gather the frozen gnocchi and place them inside zip lock bags or airtight containers.
Store for up to a couple of months.
How to Freeze Cooked Gnocchi?
If you come across some extra cooked gnocchi, you can freeze them, but their expectation will be less than their raw counterparts; We recommend between 1 and 3 weeks. This is how you do it:
- Let the gnocchi cool completely, then place them on a baking sheet. They should not be touched at any time. Let them freeze for 3 hours.
- Once they are frozen, transfer them to zip lock bags (recommended) or airtight containers.
How to Freeze Leftover Cooked Gnocchi Dishes?
If you come across extras in your gnocchi dish that has toppings (sauce, cheese, etc.), you can safely freeze the dish or keep it in the fridge.
In most cases, it will last up to a few days in the fridge and 1-2 weeks in the freezer.
Once the gnocchi is well frozen, you can decide to leave them on the trays (if you don’t have space problems in the freezer) or transfer them to plastic food bags. Do not make the mistake of putting the gnocchi – still soft – directly into food bags, if you do not want them to stick to each other and, therefore, the effort you put into preparing them is nullified.
If you are freezing cooked gnocchi without sauces or toppings, we recommend that you follow the methods for freezing raw gnocchi. Skip the air-drying part, though, and proceed straight to pre-freezing on a baking sheet.
How Long Can You Freeze Gnocchi?
Another question, however, is about how long can gnocchi last. As I said, raw gnocchi can be stored for up to 2 months, while cooked gnocchi can be probably stored for up to 3 weeks.
If you want to freeze prepared dishes, it will also depend on the other ingredients.
How to Defrost Gnocchi?
Once you freeze a batch of gnocchi, all you have to do is simply reheat them, add your ingredients, and you’re good to go.
Just take the desired quantity of gnocchi and dip them into boiling water. Exactly! So frozen!
You absolutely must not defrost them! Wait a few more minutes for them to come to the surface (unlike the freshly made dumpling) and drain them as usual with your favorite sauce.
Can You Refreeze Gnocchi?
No. With refreezing gnocchi will lose the texture that is a key element of good gnocchi. This is why refreezing is not recommended.
Freezing Different Types or Variations of Gnocchi
| How to freeze homemade gnocchi? | To freeze gnocchi do the following. 1. Put them on a tray, plate or source, well separated from each other so they don’t stick. 2. Take them to the freezer and leave them for a while, until you notice that they have hardened enough. Put them in the freezer bag or airtight container. Remember to write down the date |
| Can you freeze Ricotta gnocchi? | Yes, ricotta gnocchi can be frozen for a couple of weeks. But you should know that texture can change. I recommend you freeze the gnocchi as follows: Spread the gnocchi on a floured tray and separate them from each other. Place the fountain in the freezer until they are completely frozen. Remove the source from the freezer and place the gnocchi in a bag or Tupperware so they take up less space. They can be kept frozen for months! When you want to consume them, boil water and place the gnocchi directly from the freezer into the boiling water. It is not necessary to defrost them previously. |
| Can you freeze gnocchi soup? | Yes, it can be frozen for up to 3 months if you store it in an airtight container. |
| Can you freeze vacuum-packed gnocchi? | Yes, it can be stored for up to 3 months. |
| Can you freeze Rana gnocchi? | Rana gnocchi can be frozen but it will change their texture. It can be stored for up 8 weeks. |
| Can you freeze cooked gnocchi in sauce? | It can be frozen for a few weeks at least. But this will also depend on the other ingredients and the type of sauce. |
Gnocchi Recipe with Cream Sauce and Ham
Freezer-Friendly Gnocchi with cream sauce and ham, cook a delicious dish in 10 minutes.
This recipe for Gnocchi with creamy cream sauce and ham couldn’t be easier, so write down and cook a delicious dish in 10 minutes (without boiling the potato), just put all the ingredients in the pan and on the fire.
It will solve more than one lunch or dinner. You will be needed: 160 grams of diced ham, 1 Crispy Parmesan, 100 grams of milk, 400 grams of liquid cream, 500 grams of fresh gnocchi w/ freshly ground black pepper, 4 dried tomatoes in extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of grated nutmeg, a few leaves of fresh lemon verbena (or basil).
Trust me, once you try this combination, you will continue to make it all the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to store gnocchi?
Arguably the best way to store gnocchi is by freezing the dough in the shape of the gnocchi. Because in this way they will not absorb more water than necessary and will last much longer.
How to store uncooked gnocchi?
You can place them in the fridge, or the best way, freeze them.
Can you freeze gnocchi dough?
Yes, it can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learned how to freeze your gnocchi to preserve the best flavor possible, you may think you’re done, and for the most part, you’re right!
You can use that enthusiasm and start cooking right away. Now you are super organized! A sudden dinner? Did you arrive home late? Thursday “gnocchi” but you don’t want to prepare them? Prepare a quick dressing! A pan with melted butter and sage is enough and tasty, a little “lunch/dinner saver”. Here, there is everything you need to know to answer the question can you freeze potato gnocchi the best way.
