• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Veggie Desserts
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegan Cake and Desserts
    • Vegan Dinner
    • Vegan Breakfast
    • Vegan Guides
  • Cookbook
    • About My Cookbook
    • Buy Veggie Desserts + Cakes
  • About Me
    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Press
    • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Instagram Posts
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • About Me
  • Cookbook
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • About Me
  • Cookbook
×
Home » Recipes » Dinner

Easy Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Published: Mar 22, 2017 · Modified: Jul 29, 2020 by Kate Hackworthy · 42 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Spinach Sauce | Vegan | VeggieDesserts Blog

Sweet potato gnocchi is delicious! It's very easy to make with 3 ingredients and 30 minutes. It's a tasty, easy dinner recipe.

Plates of homemade gnocchi and spinach sauce.

Easy homemade gnocchi

Gnocchi is surprisingly simple to make at home and is a fantastic way to use up leftover mashed potatoes.

This recipe is super easy to whip up with just a few affordable ingredients and minimal prep. Plus, it comes together in under 30 minutes.

I made mine with mashed sweet potatoes as I love the flavour and sweetness that it brings.

It really is a matter of just mixing three ingredients together, then rolling it out and cutting it.

Boil for a few minutes and presto - gnocchi from scratch!

You can adapt this recipe with normal potatoes or even purple potatoes.

Try adding herbs or spices for a bit of variety! You could even make it with this easy instant pot mashed potato.

Making sweet potato gnocchi.

Ingredients and kitchen utensils

There are only a few ingredients and kitchen utensils that you will need to make sweet potato gnocchi.

Ingredients:

Sweet Potatoes – or substitute normal potatoes

Flour - all-purpose plain flour

Salt – I like using a nice sea salt

Water – Use filtered water for the best results.

 

Kitchen Utensils:

Potato Peeler – You will need this to peel the sweet potatoes

Knife – A sharp knife to cut the potatoes into chunks, and to cut the gnocchi pieces.

Pot – A large pot big enough to hold the sweet potatoes and boiling water and also to cook the sweet potato gnocchi in.

Mixing bowl – to mix the mashed sweet potatoes, flour and salt.

Countertop or large cutting board – you'll need space to roll out the gnocchi.

Fork - to get the classic lines on the gnocchi.

 

Table of dinner with soup, gnocchi and cake.

I packed quite a lot of vegetables into this meal, as I always try to do. Using sweet potatoes brings extra nutrients to the gnocchi and a quick spinach sauce gives it flavor and veg!

Recently, it has been in the press that we should be aiming for 10 portions of fruit/veg a day, rather than the current government guidelines of 5.

I've had this in mind a lot recently and although it's not always achievable, there are plenty of ways to make it easier.

By stocking up on frozen and fresh fruit and veg, I love that I can just use what I need and it won't wilt or go off.

Are sweet potatoes healthy?

Sweet potatoes are full of antioxidants and dietary fiber and antioxidants. They are also a good source of Vitamin A, B vitamins, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Calcium and Iron.

Standard white potatoes have slightly less sugar than sweet potatoes, but sweet potatoes are higher in both Vitamins A and C.

Skillet of spinach and onions.

Spinach sauce

I always want green at every meal, plus I needed something to cut through the richness of the gnocchi.

So, I used onions, garlic and spinach to quickly make this creamy spinach sauce. It's the sort of sauce that can be used in many dishes.

It's very versatile and I always have my freezer stocked with the ingredients when fresh aren't available.

You could also try serving this homemade gnocchi on Caponata all Siciliana.

Homemade sweet potato gnocchi on a plate with spinach sauce.

Sweet potato recipes

Looking for more recipes to use up sweet potatoes? Try my Carrot Sweet Potato Soup, Sweet Potato Frittata, Collard Green Wraps with Sweet Potato or Spiralized Sweet Potatoes.

Or how about dessert?

Maple Parsnip Cake with Sweet Potato Frosting.

Recipe

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out for you!
Leave a comment and star rating below and share a picture with the hashtag #veggiedesserts. I love seeing your recreations of my vegetarian and vegan recipes.

Follow me on Instagram * Twitter * Facebook * Pinterest * Youtube

📖 Recipe

Making sweet potato gnocchi.

Easy Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Creamy Spinach Sauce

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
This sweet potato gnocchi recipe is super easy to whip up with just a few affordable ingredients and minimal prep. Plus, it comes together in under 30 minutes.
5 from 16 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
SaveSaved!
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Main Meals
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 416 kcal

Ingredients
 

For the Sweet Potato Gnocchi

  • 1 lb (3 medium) sweet potatoes or 2 cups/500g mashed sweet potatoes
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (plain flour) plus extra for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

For the Creamy Spinach Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • ½ onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1 tablespoon plain yogurt or sour cream or soya cream
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions
 

For the sweet potato gnocchi

  • Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into 1" cubes. Add to a pot of boiling water and boil until soft, about 12 minutes.
  • Heat the mashed sweet potato in a pot to remove excess moisture. If there are still any lumps in the mashed potato, mash it again until smooth. Allow the potato to cool.
  • In a large bowl, mix the mashed potato with half of the flour, and the salt, and mix well. Add more flour, a little at a time, to get a thick dough consistency. You may not need all of the flour. Knead the dough well to ensure the flour is all incorporated.
  • Divide the dough into four equal pieces and on a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a long thin strip - about ½ inch thickness. Make a cut every 3cm, to create equal bite-sized pieces.
    Making sweet potato gnocchi.
  • Lightly dust each piece with flour, and press on them gently with a fork to create small indentation marks. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.

For the creamy spinach sauce

  • Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for a few minutes until translucent, then add the garlic and cook, stirring, for a further minute. Add the spinach and cook until it wilts.
    Skillet of spinach and onions cooking.
  • Transfer the spinach mixture, along with the cream and nutmeg, to a food processor or blender and whiz until smooth. Taste and season well.

Cook the gnocchi

  • When you’re ready to cook the gnocchi, but a large pan of salted water onto the boil. Add the gnocchi pieces, then turn the water down to a simmer.
  • Cook for a few minutes until they float. Remove with a slotted spoon and serve with the spinach sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 416kcalCarbohydrates: 80gProtein: 13gFat: 5gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 747mgPotassium: 940mgFiber: 9gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 32410IUVitamin C: 11.4mgCalcium: 217mgIron: 6mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

More Dinner Recipes

  • Looking down at a wooden table with a serving dish of sweet potato black eye peas salad with peanut dressing.
    Sweet Potato Black Eyed Peas Salad with Peanut Dressing
  • Close up of a plate of red lentil dahl with rice and spinach.
    The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl
  • A wooden table with a serving dish of Korean gochujang mac n cheese, topped with kimchi.
    Gochujang Mac and Cheese
  • Wooden table with a bowl of swede soup on a striped napkin.
    Swede Soup (Rutabaga)
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 16 votes

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Amrita

    November 11, 2017 at 6:31 pm

    5 stars
    We made this last night. Realy good. I added some chopped sage herbs to the potatoes (I didn't use frozen, I made the potato fresh). Will made again. DIdn't try sauce.

    Reply
  2. Rosana

    September 28, 2017 at 9:28 am

    5 stars
    This gnocchi was so easy. I don't shop at Iceland often, but I did have some of the frozen sweet potato so I found this recipe online to use it up. It was a bit messy to roll out, but well worth it. Super yummy. I didn't have spinach so skipped the sauce and just had it wiht olive oil and parmesan.

    Reply
  3. Anna Johnston

    June 21, 2017 at 3:32 am

    5 stars
    Yum.... what a colourful spread you've put together. Sweet Potatoes are in season & cheap as chips here where I live so I'm absolutely going to give this recipe a go. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  4. Heidi Roberts

    March 31, 2017 at 9:14 pm

    5 stars
    Isn't it amazing the sort of frozen food you can get these days! I love your home made gnocchi

    Reply
  5. GiGi

    March 29, 2017 at 2:30 pm

    5 stars
    Whenever I see gnocchi... I always think about how badly everyone seems to BUTCHER is on the show Top Chef. Yours however looks like something Tom & Padma would OOOOOHHH and AHHHHHH over!

    Reply
  6. Ola

    March 23, 2017 at 4:09 pm

    My first reaction upon seeing the photo was "Hmmmm...good"! I love spinach and anything pasta-like mixed together. I think I might try my hand at this dish

    Reply
  7. Jane

    March 23, 2017 at 3:37 pm

    5 stars
    Mmmmm, I love the look of your gnocchi Kate and what a genius idea using ready prepped mashed sweet potatoes for it!
    Jane x

    Reply
  8. Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy

    March 23, 2017 at 12:51 pm

    5 stars
    I have only made gnocchi once, with regular potatoes. Loved it, and this recipe certainly sounds delicious. I did have "sweet potato" gnocchi on my "to make" list. Thanks for the great recipe.

    Reply
  9. Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry

    March 23, 2017 at 12:49 pm

    5 stars
    Love the way you have packed the veggies in. Great combination of sweet potato and spinach and so good for you with the iron

    Reply
  10. Elinor Kugler

    March 23, 2017 at 12:16 pm

    5 stars
    I think sweet potatoes and spinach are a match made in heaven! Your gnocchi look gorgeous, and SO inviting! YUM 🙂

    Reply
  11. Pretty

    March 23, 2017 at 11:11 am

    5 stars
    I have never made gnocchi before but going to give this recipe a try as it sounds so good! I try to eat 10 fruit and veg a day but it can be hard mixing it up, it helps being a vegetarian!

    Reply
  12. Claire Jessiman

    March 22, 2017 at 10:56 pm

    Love the idea of adding Coconut Cream to Spinach. Always have a bag of it in my freezer. So convenient to add to all sorts of dishes to bulk them out and add greens.

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      March 24, 2017 at 10:39 am

      I always have frozen spinach as well. You can make so many dishes with it!

      Reply
  13. Aish Das-Padihari

    March 22, 2017 at 7:38 pm

    5 stars
    Your mom sounds like an amazing person and so is my mom. I would definitely try this recipe.

    Reply
  14. Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy

    March 22, 2017 at 3:37 pm

    5 stars
    What a neat recipe! I always thought it was a bit more harder to make gnocchi! I gotta give this a try soon!

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      March 22, 2017 at 3:43 pm

      It really is surprisingly easy!

      Reply
  15. Diana

    March 22, 2017 at 3:35 pm

    I've tried the chocolate hazelnut marquise cake from Iceland Foods and it's really really good! The gnocchi look so perfect, you're making me really hungry now!

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      March 22, 2017 at 3:43 pm

      The marquise is divine! And the gnocchi is super easy 🙂

      Reply
  16. Tara

    March 22, 2017 at 3:31 pm

    Yum! Your gnocchi look absolutely perfect! I love how easy the meal is to put together using frozen ingredients. So delicious and good for you too!

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      March 30, 2017 at 5:07 pm

      Frozen ingredients really does make this a speedy meal!

      Reply
  17. J @ Bless Her Heart Y'all

    March 22, 2017 at 3:22 pm

    5 stars
    Three ingredients to get to all of this deliciousness?!? I'm in! I've never had sweet potato gnocchi but it sounds and looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      March 22, 2017 at 3:44 pm

      It really is that easy! I hope you give it a try.

      Reply
  18. Julia @ HappyFoods Tube

    March 22, 2017 at 3:15 pm

    5 stars
    What a great recipe. My mom would make similar spinach sauce when I was a kid. Love the sweet potato gnocchi and can't wait to try making them myself!

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      March 22, 2017 at 3:44 pm

      I hope you enjoy the sweet potato gnocchi!

      Reply
  19. Ali @ Home & Plate

    March 22, 2017 at 3:04 pm

    5 stars
    Wow that looks delicious. I have never made my own pasta but making gnocchi looks easier than the longer versions. I think the flavors are a great combination and what a delicious way to end the day.

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      March 22, 2017 at 3:45 pm

      Gnocchi is definitely easier than pasta! I hope you get to try it!

      Reply
  20. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

    March 22, 2017 at 2:41 pm

    Gnocchi is one of my favorite things to make homemade!

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      March 22, 2017 at 3:45 pm

      It's so quick and easy, isn't it!

      Reply
  21. Liv

    March 22, 2017 at 2:40 pm

    Oh wow I am loving this recipe! I just recently made a cream sauce out of cashews but would you believe it I've been vegan for years and NEVER bought any creamed soy ! I will have to make this recipe and try out these products

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      March 22, 2017 at 3:46 pm

      I hope you enjoy it! I love cashew cream, but some dishes just need something a little lighter - hence creamed soy!

      Reply
  22. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry

    March 22, 2017 at 2:22 pm

    5 stars
    I actually have a bag of their sweet potato mash in my freezer so I am so gonna make this. 🙂

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      March 22, 2017 at 3:46 pm

      I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  23. Lisa | Garlic & Zest

    March 22, 2017 at 2:11 pm

    I've made sweet potato gnocchi and while I love it, it's an endeavor. Even just two pounds of potatoes can turn into a mountain of work! Kudos to you for taking on the dragon!

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      March 22, 2017 at 3:47 pm

      I found it surprisingly easy to make! Quite theraputic to mash, mix, roll and cut!

      Reply
  24. Chris @thinlyspread

    March 22, 2017 at 1:08 pm

    It's so lovely having Mum nearby, mine moved from the Midlands about 8 years ago and it's been a lifesaver! I've got that very bag of frozen sweet potato (well, not THAT bag, that's yours, but the same stuff from Iceland) in my freezer right now and my lot love gnocchi to that's dinner sorted!

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      March 22, 2017 at 3:47 pm

      I hope you enjoy it! It's lovely having mum nearby x

      Reply
  25. Hayley Warren

    March 22, 2017 at 12:39 pm

    This sounds amazing! I'll definitely have to try it out!

    Reply
  26. Natasha Mairs

    March 22, 2017 at 12:29 pm

    This looks so nice!! I love spinach and sweet potatos, so would love to try this

    Reply
  27. Andrea @ The Petite Cook

    March 22, 2017 at 12:28 pm

    Oh my! Gnocchi are one of my fav things in the world, and yours look, simply perfection (said from an italian is a true compliment)! I could eat something like this everyday 🙂

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      March 22, 2017 at 3:48 pm

      A true compliment indeed! You've made my day 🙂

      Reply
  28. Choclette

    March 22, 2017 at 12:03 pm

    Your mum sounds wonderful and so does this gnocchi. What a brilliant idea to have mashed sweet potato readily available. Iceland keep adding such interesting new products to their frozen veggies.

    Reply
    • Kate Hackworthy

      March 22, 2017 at 3:49 pm

      Iceland really do have some great products!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Kate Hackworthy in the kitchen

Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. Here you'll find vegetarian recipes and vegan recipes celebrating vegetables, from dinner to dessert! If you love vegetables, you've come to the right place. About Me

Collage of press logos that Veggie Desserts has appeared in, including The Guardian, Marie Claire, Vancouver Sun, The Globe and Mail, Seattle Times and The Sunday Telegraph.

Popular recipes

  • Stack of naan breads on a plate.
    Easy Naan Bread Recipe (15 Min Yeast-Free Flatbread)
  • Close up of a plate of red lentil dahl with rice and spinach.
    The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl
  • A jar of quick, easy and tasty raspberry compote, with a spoonful of it next to a blue and white tea towel.
    Quick Raspberry Compote Recipe
  • Bowl of stewed pears with a serving spoon and a cinnamon stick.
    Easy Stewed Pears Recipe

Vegetable Cake Recipes

  • A cake and a piece of cake sitting on top of a table.
    Apple Kale Cake with Apple Icing
  • Close up of cut loaf cake.
    Parsnip Loaf Cake
  • Cake on a cake stand with slices missing
    Vanilla Spinach Cake
  • A slice of lemon cucumber cake on a plate.
    Lemon and Cucumber Cake

My cookbook

Veggie Desserts and Cakes Cookbook cover.

Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About me
  • Contact
  • Work with me
  • Press
  • Veggie Desserts Cookbook

Newsletter

  • Sign Up for newsletter updates

Partner Sites

  • You Say Potatoes

Disclaimers

  • Disclosures & Affiliate Policies
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Kate Hackworthy / Veggie Desserts

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This recipe worked out perfectly!
The whole family loved this recipe!
Easy and tasty!
I'm sure we'll be making this recipe again and again!

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.