Quick and Easy Gnudi Recipe (Ricotta Gnocchi) (2024)

By Cyn Gagen 4 Comments

Filed Under: COOK, Meatless Meals, Pasta

This isn’t the typical potato gnocchi but it is a lighter version made with ricotta, known as gnudi. My quick and easy gnudi recipe is not only simple to make, it’s delicious.

You can make these ahead of time and they freeze quite well. Make them into little balls (super simple – the kids can help too!) or roll them out and cut them like traditional gnochhi if you prefer.

If you want the traditional gnocchi recipe, you can find mine here! Gnudi as well as traditional gnocchi can be served as a side dish or you can turn it into a main!

Quick and Easy Gnudi Recipe (Ricotta Gnocchi) (1)

Simple Homemade Gnudi Recipe

Be sure to scroll down for a printable recipe card.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup flour

1 egg (or 2 egg yolks)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

1/2 tsp. salt

8 oz. ricotta cheese – I like to use creamy ricotta

Instructions:

Mix all of the ingredients together. The dough should be slightly sticky but you need to be able to handle it. Add more flour about a tablespoon at a time if the dough is too sticky to handle.

Put in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. Separate the dough into quarters to make it easier to work with. Pinch off a piece and roll into balls about 3/4 inch in size or so. You may need to use some flour on your hands to keep the balls from sticking.

Some people prefer to make these in the same way that traditional gnocchi is made. In this case, roll each quarter of the dough into a snake. Cut those strips of dough into 1 inch long pieces.

Pro Tip: you can freeze some of the gnudi for future use. I like to lay it on a tray or some other flat surface and freeze it until it’s solid enough to place into freezer bags.

To cook it, bring water with a touch of salt in it to a boil and add the gnudi. The gnudi should begin to float on the surface of the water. When they do, continue to cook for 2-3 minutes and they should be done!

An alternative to boiling is to pan fry the gnudi. This gives them a golden outer “crust” with the soft interior.

Quick and Easy Gnudi Recipe (Ricotta Gnocchi) (2)

Suggested toppings for the gnudi:

Of course you can top the gnudi with your favorite pasta sauce, but here are a couple options that I really like.

Try my Spinach Basil Pesto or my Cilantro Pine Nut Pesto. They’re both SO good on gnudi.

Other favorite options – melted butter, lemon juice, black pepper, and Parmesan; brown butter and fresh sage leaves; olive oil, black pepper, and fresh basil leaves

Quick and Easy Gnudi Recipe (Ricotta Gnocchi) (3)

Print

Simple Gnudi Recipe (Ricotta Gnocchi)

This isn't the typical potato gnocchi but it is a lighter version made with ricotta, known as gnudi. My quick and easy gnudi recipe is not only simple to make, it's delicious.

CourseMain Course

CuisineItalian

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Refrigeration Time 20 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 254 kcal

Ingredients

  • 3/4cupflour
  • 1eggor 2 egg yolks
  • 1/2cupgrated Parmesan
  • 1/2tsp.salt
  • 8oz.ricotta cheese – I like to use creamy ricotta

Instructions

  1. Mix all of the ingredients together. The dough should be slightly sticky but you need to be able to handle it. Add more flour about a tablespoon at a time if the dough is too sticky to handle.

  2. Put in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. Separate the dough into quarters to make it easier to work with. Pinch off a piece and roll into balls about 3/4 inch in size or so. You may need to use some flour on your hands to keep the balls from sticking.

  3. Some people prefer to make these in the same way that traditional gnocchi is made. In this case, roll each quarter of the dough into a snake. Cut those strips of dough into 1 inch long pieces.

  4. To cook it, bring water with a touch of salt in it to a boil and add the gnudi. The gnudi should begin to float on the surface of the water. When they do, continue to cook for 2-3 minutes and they should be done!

  5. An alternative to boiling is to pan fry the gnudi. This gives them a golden outer “crust” with the soft interio

Recipe Notes

Pro Tip: you can freeze some of the gnudi for future use. I like to lay it on a tray or some other flat surface and freeze it until it’s solid enough to place into freezer bags.

Nutrition Facts

Simple Gnudi Recipe (Ricotta Gnocchi)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 254Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Cholesterol 81mg27%

Sodium 494mg21%

Potassium 115mg3%

Carbohydrates 20g7%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 15g30%

Vitamin A 420IU8%

Calcium 266mg27%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Quick and Easy Gnudi Recipe (Ricotta Gnocchi) (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between gnudi and ricotta gnocchi? ›

Gnocchi can also be made with ricotta instead of potato, which are sometimes called gnudi (roughly translatable to "naked" in Italian). Gnudi generally have a bit less flour in them, making them similar in texture and flavor to the ricotta filling of ravioli, but without the pasta wrapper.

Why is my gnudi falling apart? ›

Too much moisture can make the delicate gnudi fall apart, so use a good quality whole-milk ricotta and remove as much moisture as possible.

Why are my ricotta gnocchi mushy? ›

Not draining the ricotta properly will result in sticky dough that requires extra flour, which will make the gnocchi gummy. It should be thick and dense and almost sliceable when properly drained.

What are gnocchi made of ricotta cheese called? ›

Gnudi (Italian: [ˈɲuːdi]), also called malfatti, are gnocchi-like dumplings made with ricotta cheese and semolina instead of potato flour.

How to keep gnudi from falling apart? ›

Shower them in flour before they're refrigerated, generously dust the baking sheet with flour, and coat the tops of the dumplings with more flour before boiling them. This forms a protective layer around each one, making it easier to drop them into the boiling water and ensure they keep their shape.

What does "gnudi" mean in Italian? ›

Gnudi is a nice Italian meal that is very similar to Gnocchi. It is roughly translated to mean “naked” in Italian. Gnudi are gnocchi-like dumplings made with ricotta cheese and spinach instead of potato. They are often light, tender and creamy.

Why is my gnocchi not fluffy? ›

Too much flour and gnocchi turns to doughy undercooked lumps. Bottom line is you add enough flour to bring the egg and potato together into a dough and no more.

Why won't my gnocchi dough stay together? ›

My Gnocchi Are Falling Apart When I Cook Them

This means there isn't enough flour and your dough is too wet. Try adding another 1/4 cup of flour and try again. A good idea is to have a pot of water on the go before you roll out and shape your gnocchi.

What is a noodie? ›

What's a “noodie,” you ask? It's a hoodie without the hood, aka a crewneck sweatshirt.

Is gnocchi better with potato or ricotta? ›

Comparatively speaking, ricotta gnocchi are quicker to prepare (just mix everything together- no potatoes to boil here!) and the texture is light and fluffy, in a unique “spongey” type way. As for the taste, potato gnocchi taste like…. potato, whereas ricotta gnocchi are more mild in flavor.

Is gnocchi healthier than pasta? ›

Nutritional Value

Believe it or not, regular pasta is actually more carb-heavy than gnocchi, coming in at around 2 times the amount of carbs per serving. Gnocchi is also notorious for having a lot more sodium, with over 200 grams of it per serving. Regular pasta doesn't have nearly as high of a sodium content.

Why can't you reheat gnocchi? ›

Gnocchi should only be reheated once. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) states you should always reheat food until it is steaming all the way through. You should also make sure that the gnocchi is appropriate to cook before reheating. If the gnocchi is mushy or sticky you should discard it straight away.

What is the difference between gnocchi and gnudi? ›

Gnocchi have a starchy base, such as potato or flour, while gnudi are, at their simplest, little more than featherlight clouds of fluffy fresh ricotta, often dressed with nothing fancier than melted butter.

What is the difference between gnocchi and ricotta gnocchi? ›

Traditional potato gnocchi are made of potato bound together with flour and egg, whereas ricotta gnocchi replaces the potato with ricotta cheese. Because of ricotta's springy texture and the lack of potatoes, ricotta gnocchi has a lighter texture than potato gnocchi.

Which flour is best for gnocchi? ›

Italian flour

Plus, it has too much protein: High-protein wheat results in chewy gnocchi. If you want to be true to Italian gnocchi, look for imported Italian flour marked "00 tenero," which is milled from soft wheat with a low protein content.

What is a substitute for ricotta cheese in gnocchi? ›

"Gnocchi is usually made with potatoes or ricotta cheese, but using cottage cheese makes making the dough so easy!

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