Start by placing 2 pounds whole potatoes with the skins on in a large pot. Fill the pot with just enough water to cover the potatoes. Bring the water to a boil and cook the potatoes until they are tender when pierced with a fork but still firm. This usually takes about 30 to 40 minutes.
Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them well and let them cool for a few minutes. When they are cool enough to handle, remove the skins. It's important to do this while the potatoes are still warm as it makes them easier to rice and contributes to a better texture in your gnocchi.
Use a potato ricer or a fork to mash the potatoes until they are smooth. Make a well in the center of the riced potatoes, then add 2 teaspoons salt, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and 1 large beaten egg.
Sprinkle 2 cups all-purpose flour over the top of the potato mixture. Gently mix with a fork until the ingredients begin to come together into a shaggy dough.
Once mostly combined, switch to your hands and knead the mixture just enough for it to come together into a soft dough. Be careful not to over-knead, as this can make your gnocchi tough.
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and allow it to rest for about 20 minutes. This resting period helps to relax the gluten in the dough.
After resting, cut the dough into strips that are about 1-inch wide. Roll each strip into ropes that are about ¾-inch thick. Then, cut the ropes into ½-inch pieces to form the gnocchi.
To shape the gnocchi, use a fork or a gnocchi board to gently press and roll each piece, creating grooves on one side. This helps hold onto the sauce better when served.
Toss the shaped gnocchi with a little flour to prevent them from sticking together. This step is crucial to ensure they don’t clump during cooking.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully drop the gnocchi into the boiling water, cooking for about 3 minutes, or until they begin to float. This indicates they are cooked through.
Once they float, use a slotted spoon to remove the gnocchi from the water and drain them well. Toss them with your favorite pasta sauce and enjoy!
