Vegan sweet potato gnocchi is the perfect date night recipe. Paired with a fresh cherry tomato sauce, it’s a great way to make quarantine dining feel fancy!

Have you ever heard of gnocchi? It’s a potato-based pasta that originated in northern Italy. I first tried during my middle school years, when I went on a European tour with my school’s choir. We didn’t visit Italy, but we were served gnocchi at one of our group dinners in Slovakia. I was hesitant to try it at first but fell in love after just one bite. I ended up cleaning my plate and eating my mom’s leftovers.

Traditionally, gnocchi is made with just 3 ingredients: potato, egg, and flour. However, there are several “alternative” gnocchis available in grocery stores today. I’ve seen cauliflower gnocchi at Trader Joe’s, and I’ve also seen my personal favorite, sweet potato gnocchi! I happen to love sweet potatoes, so I thought this was a brilliant idea. Unfortunately, I’ve yet to come across a vegan version in grocery stores. This inspired me to try making my own at home!

It was surprisingly easy to veganize gnocchi, as removing the egg doesn’t seem to affect the dough’s ability to hold together. I made this recipe for my parents on their anniversary, and they confirmed that they wouldn’t guess there was anything different about the gnocchi. In fact, they were very happy with their romantic Italian dinner! With the whole world seemingly under quarantine, sweet potato gnocchi would be great for an at-home date night.

How to Make Vegan Sweet Potato Gnocchi With Cherry Tomatoes

Ingredients

For the Gnocchi:

• 1 medium sweet potato about 300g
• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt

For the Tomato Sauce:

• 1 1/2 tsp olive oil
• 1 large clove of garlic thinly sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• Crushed red pepper to taste

For Assembly:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

For the Gnocchi:

1. Prick the sweet potato a few times with a fork and microwave until cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
2. Remove the skin from the cooked sweet potato and place the flesh into a bowl with the nutritional yeast. Mash with a fork until smooth.
3. Add in the flour and gently knead just until incorporated.
4. Form the dough into a ball and cut it into four equal pieces. Roll out one piece on a clean, floured surface into a long rope. Cut the rope into 3/4-inch pieces. Optionally, use a fork to add ridges.
5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the gnocchi in 2 batches and cook until they float. Drain and toss with a bit of olive oil (to prevent sticking).

For the Tomato Sauce:

1. In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the garlic slices and sauté until translucent, about 30 seconds.
2. Add the tomatoes to the pan and sprinkle with salt. Cook, stirring for 4-5 minutes. Stir in the oregano. Season with crushed red pepper and salt, to taste.

For Assembly:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan. Add the gnocchi and cook, flipping halfway through, until crisp and golden on each side.
2. Pour in the cherry tomato sauce and toss until heated through. Plate and sprinkle with salt immediately before serving.

The Health Benefits

Eating Vegan Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Cherry Tomatoes is not just tasty; it’s good for you too! Here’s why:

1. Good Stuff in Sweet Potatoes: The main ingredient, sweet potatoes, is packed with vitamins and antioxidants. These are superheroes that help keep your immune system strong, your skin healthy, and your digestion happy.
2. Nutritional Yeast Goodness: The special yeast added not only gives a cheesy flavor but also has vitamins that are like a boost button for your energy and overall health.
3. Choosing Whole Grain Flour: If you use whole grain flour, it adds fiber to your diet. Fiber is like a friendly helper for your stomach, making you feel full and helping with digestion.
4. Healthy Fats from Olive Oil: The olive oil used in the recipe has good fats that are kind to your heart. They can help keep your heart healthy and happy.
5. Power of Cherry Tomatoes: Those little cherry tomatoes are full of good things too! They have antioxidants, like lycopene, which can help your body stay strong and fight off bad stuff.
6. Garlic’s Extra Boost: The garlic in the sauce not only makes things tasty but might also help your body stay strong. It’s like a superhero for your immune system.
7. Eating Plants is Cool: This dish is made entirely from plants. Eating more plant-based foods is like giving your body a high-five because it can lead to a bunch of good things, like a happy heart and a healthy weight.

So, when you enjoy this yummy dish, know that you’re not just treating your taste buds but also doing something good for your body!

FAQ about Vegan Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Can I use a different type of flour for the gnocchi?

• Yes, you can experiment with different flours, like whole wheat or gluten-free alternatives, depending on your dietary preferences. Keep in mind that it might slightly alter the texture.

How do I prevent the gnocchi from sticking together during cooking?

• To prevent sticking, make sure to toss the cooked gnocchi in a bit of olive oil after draining. This will create a light coating and prevent them from clumping.

Can I prepare the gnocchi in advance and freeze them?

• Absolutely! After shaping the gnocchi, you can freeze them on a tray individually. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. This way, you can have homemade gnocchi on hand for quick meals.

Are there alternatives to cherry tomatoes for the sauce?

• Certainly! You can use regular tomatoes or even sun-dried tomatoes for a different flavor. Experiment with what you have on hand or what suits your taste preferences.

Can I make the gnocchi without nutritional yeast?

• Yes, you can omit nutritional yeast if you don’t have it or prefer not to use it. It adds a cheesy flavor, but the gnocchi will still be delicious without it.

Vegan Sweet Potato Gnocchi With Cherry Tomatoes

Recipe by Food by AyakaCourse: MainCuisine: Italian, Vegan, Dairy FreeDifficulty: Easy

Servings

2

servings

Prep time

25

minutes

Cooking time

25

minutes

Calories

456.2

kcal

Vegan sweet potato gnocchi is easy to make with only 4 ingredients! It pairs perfectly with fresh cherry tomato sauce.

Ingredients

• For the Gnocchi

• 1 medium sweet potato about 300g

• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast

• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/4 tsp salt

• For the Tomato Sauce

• 1 1/2 tsp olive oil

• 1 large clove of garlic thinly sliced

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved

• Pinch of salt

• 1/2 tsp dried oregano

• Crushed red pepper to taste

• For Assembly

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Pinch of salt

Directions

• For the Gnocchi
• Prick the sweet potato a few times with a fork and microwave until cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
• Remove the skin from the cooked sweet potato and place the flesh into a bowl with the nutritional yeast. Mash with a fork until smooth.
• Add in the flour and gently knead just until incorporated.
• Form the dough into a ball and cut it into four equal pieces. Roll out one piece on a clean, floured surface into a long rope. Cut the rope into 3/4-inch pieces. Optionally, use a fork to add ridges.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the gnocchi in 2 batches and cook until they float. Drain and toss with a bit of olive oil (to prevent sticking).
• For the Tomato Sauce
• In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the garlic slices and sauté until translucent, about 30 seconds.
• Add the tomatoes to the pan and sprinkle with salt. Cook, stirring for 4-5 minutes. Stir in the oregano. Season with crushed red pepper and salt, to taste.
• For Assembly
• Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan. Add the gnocchi and cook, flipping halfway through, until crisp and golden on each side.
• Pour in the cherry tomato sauce and toss until heated through. Plate and sprinkle with salt immediately before serving.