Description
Learn how to make delicate and fluffy Ricotta Gnocchi or Gnudi from scratch with this step-by-step recipe. These soft pillows of ricotta, flour, egg, and Parmesan are perfect when tossed in a thick homemade marinara sauce for a comforting Italian meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Ricotta Gnocchi
- 1 lb whole sheep’s milk ricotta cheese
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (plus more as needed)
- 1/3 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- 1 large egg
Sauce
- 2.5 cups thick homemade marinara sauce
Instructions
- Strain the Ricotta: Strain the ricotta cheese through a mesh sieve or a cheesecloth-lined colander for a couple of hours or overnight. This removes excess moisture to create a firmer dough.
- Mix Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the drained ricotta, egg, grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of flour until a dough forms.
- Shape Dough: Sprinkle flour on a pastry board. Shape the dough into a round ball. Add a little more flour if the dough feels too sticky to handle.
- Divide Dough: Cut the dough into 5 equal pieces and shape each into baseball-sized balls.
- Roll and Slice: Roll each ball into a tube about 1/2 inch to 1 inch thick. Using a sharp knife, slice the rolled dough into 3/4 inch pillows or to your preferred size.
- Create Grooves: Place the gnocchi on a lightly floured baking sheet. Run each piece down the back of a fork to create shallow grooves which help sauce adhere better.
- Cook Gnocchi: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it generously to taste like seawater. Add the gnocchi and cook until they float to the surface, about 2-3 minutes.
- Drain and Serve: Drain the gnocchi and immediately toss with the warm homemade marinara sauce. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- This recipe creates light and pillowy ricotta gnocchi that cook quickly and soak up sauce beautifully.
- Using whole sheep’s milk ricotta adds rich flavor and creaminess.
- Be sure to strain the ricotta well to avoid soggy dough.
- Cooking the gnocchi in salted boiling water ensures perfect seasoning.
- Rolling the gnocchi on the back of a fork creates grooves that hold sauce better.
- Serve with thick homemade marinara sauce for authentic taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 396 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 1047 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 104 mg
