For dinner the other night we made ricotta gnocchi recipe and fresh tomato mozzarella sauce. My husband loves gnocchi and I decided to try a ricotta gnocchi instead of potato since I had a lot of ricotta left over and I couldn’t think of anything else to make. The gnocchi turned out perfect and the fresh tomato mozzarella sauce was so delicious on it. I loved how fluffy the gnocchi was. I hate dense gnocchi and was so so worried about that. I still have 1/2 a large container left of ricotta. So far we have made lasagna, raspberry ricotta tarts, gnocchi, and ricotta pancakes. I have some other recipes, but nothing is sounding good.
What are your favorite recipes using ricotta? Leave me a note if you have a good one for us to try!
What Is Gnocchi?
Gnocchi is of Italian decent.
Gnocchi is a small dumpling made from potato, semolina, or flour, usually served with a sauce.
Is Gnocchi Pasta?
Gnocchi is not a type of pasta.
Pasta is made from wheat flour mixed with water and eggs.
Gnocchi is made primarily from potatoes, it’s technically a dumpling.
What Can You Substitute For Ricotta Cheese?
Cream cheese is a good substitute for ricotta due to the similar soft, creamy texture of both.
Ricotta Gnocchi
Ricotta Gnocchi
Ingredients
Ricotta Gnocchi
- 8 oz Ricotta
- 1 Egg
- 1/4-1/3 cup Parmesan, fresh grated
- A pinch of salt and pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Cup Flour, I added a little at a time so the dough would not get over floured. It ended up taking about 1/2 cup, but I say do a little at a time until a soft and smooth, but not satiny dough is made
Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- 15 oz Tomatoes, Canned, Diced (I like Muir Glen)
- 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes, crushed
- 1 bunch Basil, fresh, chopped
- 4 oz Tomato Sauce
- A dash of kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
- 4 oz Mozzarella, Fresh, chopped
Instructions
For the Gnocchi
- Stir together the ricotta cheese, eggs, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a large bowl.
- Mix in 1/4 cup of flour stirring only to combine.
- Add additional flour until the dough comes together. It's so important you don't over flour or your gnocchi will be tough and dry.
- Divide the dough into 3 pieces and roll into 1/2-inch-thick ropes on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut each rope into 1-inch pieces, and place on a lightly floured baking sheet.
- Use a whisk or fork to roll the ridges into the gnocchi.
- Place in the refrigerator until ready to use. (A dry gnocchi will be better to cook.)
For the Sauce
- Place olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Pour in diced tomatoes and red pepper flakes;
- bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, and cook for 5-6 minutes.
- Pour in tomato sauce and stir in shredded basil and season to taste with salt and pepper. The sauce will NOT be like a spaghetti or red sauce. It will be thick and mostly tomatoes.
- While sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a soft boil.
- Boil the gnocchi until they float to the surface, 1 to 2 minutes, then drain.
- Turn the heat for the sauce to low and add cheese.
- Stir to combine and until the cheese is softened, but not completely melted.
- Place over gnocchi and Enjoy!!
Nutrition
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The Bentley Family
I’ve never had gnocchi but I am all about anything ricotta. I’m going to have to try this recipe.
cortney and neil
Hey Carri,
This looks pretty yummy. What I wouldn’t give for you to be here right now cooking for me!
Aggie
Wow, ricotta gnocchi!! I bet it’s wonderful!! I like adding ricotta to any tomato sauce to make it a little creamy. I also like eating it as is with strawberries and some sugar sprinkled on top.
Meridith Oram
THis looks amazing!! I can’t wait to try it!
Cafe Johnsonia
OH…yum.
My husband loves ricotta cheesecake. You already made pancakes…hmm. I guess I need some ideas for ricotta, too. 🙂
{lindy baker cakes}
Okay, so maybe this is a dumb question, but how do you roll it into gnocchi?
Maria
Check out my blog for Ricotta Lemon cookies, they are the best!! Look under cookies:) We also made homemade ravioli with a spinach ricotta feeling, that was good too! Love the gnocchi!
Mary Ann
I love gnocchi, but have never tried making it. This ricotta version sounds and looks like a perfect one to start with. My fave recipe lately using ricotta is Lemon-Lover’s Ricotta Pancakes with Quick Blueberry Sauce. I make them all the time.