Gnocchi di Ricotta e Spinaci: A Delightful Italian Classic

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Gnocchi di Ricotta e Spinaci 

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Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Equipment

• Equipment Needed: Large pot, mixing bowl, fork or potato masher, knife, cutting board, baking sheet.

Ingredients

  

• Ingredients
• For the Gnocchi:
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup fresh spinach or ½ cup frozen, thawed and drained
• 1 large egg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
• Grated Parmesan cheese optional, for serving
• For the Sauce optional:
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

 

• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Step 1: Prepare the Spinach
• If using fresh spinach, wash and chop it finely. Sauté in a pan over medium heat until wilted, about 3-4 minutes. If using frozen spinach, ensure it is thawed and drained thoroughly. Set aside to cool.
• Step 2: Make the Dough
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, sautéed spinach, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
• Gradually add the flour, mixing with a fork or your hands until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable. If it’s too wet, add a little more flour.
• Step 3: Shape the Gnocchi
• Lightly flour your work surface. Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about ½ inch thick.
• Cut the ropes into 1-inch pieces. If desired, use a fork to create ridges on one side of each piece (this helps the sauce cling better).
• Step 4: Cook the Gnocchi
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully drop the gnocchi into the boiling water. Cook until they float to the surface, about 2-3 minutes.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove the gnocchi and transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Step 5: Make the Sauce (optional)
• In a skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet and toss gently to coat them in the oil or butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Step 6: Serve
• Serve warm, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, if desired.
• Variations
• Cheese: You can substitute half of the ricotta with cottage cheese for a different flavor.
• Spinach: Feel free to experiment with other greens like kale or chard.
• Sauce: A simple marinara or a creamy Alfredo can also be delightful alternatives to the garlic oil.

Gnocchi di Ricotta e Spinaci, or Ricotta and Spinach Gnocchi, is a wonderful dish that showcases the beauty of Italian cuisine. These soft, pillowy gnocchi are perfect for a cozy dinner and are surprisingly easy to make at home. From my own personal experience, I can assure you that once you get the hang of it, you’ll find yourself whipping up these gnocchi for family gatherings or a casual weeknight meal. Let me show you how I make this delicious dish.

Notes on What to Expect

When making Gnocchi di Ricotta e Spinaci, expect a soft, tender texture that pairs beautifully with a variety of sauces. The lightness of the ricotta combined with the earthy flavor of the spinach creates a comforting dish that feels indulgent yet is surprisingly light.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Time to Stand: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Ease of Cooking: Easy
• Servings: 4
• Calories per Serving: Approximately 250
• Cost of Ingredients: $10–$15
• Cuisine: Italian
• Course: Main Dish
• Equipment Needed: Large pot, mixing bowl, fork or potato masher, knife, cutting board, baking sheet.
• Check out the must-have equipment and ingredients for making a Savory  #Gnocchi di Ricotta e Spinaci  here.

Ingredients

• For the Gnocchi:
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup fresh spinach (or ½ cup frozen, thawed and drained)
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
• For the Sauce (optional):
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Check out the must-have equipment and ingredients for making a Savory  #Gnocchi di Ricotta e Spinaci  here.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Spinach

1. If using fresh spinach, wash and chop it finely. Sauté in a pan over medium heat until wilted, about 3-4 minutes. If using frozen spinach, ensure it is thawed and drained thoroughly. Set aside to cool.

Step 2: Make the Dough

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, sautéed spinach, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
3. Gradually add the flour, mixing with a fork or your hands until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable. If it’s too wet, add a little more flour.

Step 3: Shape the Gnocchi

4. Lightly flour your work surface. Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about ½ inch thick.
5. Cut the ropes into 1-inch pieces. If desired, use a fork to create ridges on one side of each piece (this helps the sauce cling better).

Step 4: Cook the Gnocchi

6. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully drop the gnocchi into the boiling water. Cook until they float to the surface, about 2-3 minutes.
7. Use a slotted spoon to remove the gnocchi and transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 5: Make the Sauce (optional)

8. In a skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
9. Add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet and toss gently to coat them in the oil or butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 6: Serve

10. Serve warm, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, if desired.

Variations

• Cheese: You can substitute half of the ricotta with cottage cheese for a different flavor.
• Spinach: Feel free to experiment with other greens like kale or chard.
• Sauce: A simple marinara or a creamy Alfredo can also be delightful alternatives to the garlic oil.
• Check out the must-have equipment and ingredients for making a Savory  #Gnocchi di Ricotta e Spinaci  here.

Tips and Substitutions

• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour to make the gnocchi suitable for gluten-free diets.
• Dairy-Free: Substitute the ricotta with a dairy-free cheese alternative and omit the butter for the sauce.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

• Calories: Approximately 250
• Protein: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fat: 8g
• Fiber: 2g

I hope this guide has made making Gnocchi di Ricotta e Spinaci seem a little less daunting! Have you tried it before? Please, be honest, and let me know in the comments below. I love to hear feedback from a real person like you, so please, leave your honest comment! Enjoy your cooking adventure!