Butternut Mascarpone Gnocchi

Ingredients

• 1 pound butternut squash
• 1 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh sage leaves
• 1 tablespoon finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Directions

Trim stem and cut butternut squash in half lengthwise. Place in a microwave-safe dish, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave until tender, about 8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to cool. Discard skin and set squash aside.

Whisk mascarpone cheese, 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, eggs, salt, and black pepper in a bowl until smooth. Whisk in butternut squash until blended.

Whisk in 1/2 cup flour until just incorporated. Whisk in remaining 1/2 cup flour, stirring until flour just disappears. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Melt about 1/3 of the butter in large nonstick skillet; remove from heat.

Scoop out approximately 1 1/2 teaspoons of the butternut squash dough with a spoon. Using a second spoon, push the dough off the first spoon and into the boiling water. Repeat with remaining dough, working in batches of 12 to 15 gnocchi at a time. When a gnocchi rise to the surface, cook for 1 additional minute, then transfer with a slotted spoon to the melted butter in the skillet.

Place the skillet over medium-high heat; cook gnocchi until golden brown on one side, about 3 minutes. Season with cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Turn gnocchi over and stir in sage leaves. Cook until second side is golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to plate and drizzle with browned butter from the skillet. Garnish with 1 tablespoon Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and serve.