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 ricotta gnocchi, and gnudi? ›

Gnudi are soft, creamy Italian pillows of ricotta and Parmesan cheese—they are similar to gnocchi but are made with little or no flour. The word gnudi means "naked"—that makes sense because they are like cheese ravioli without the pasta covering.

Why are my ricotta gnocchi mushy? ›

Why is my gnocchi mushy? Make sure your water is boiling, added salt, and don't overload the pan. When the gnocchi hits the boiling water, you want them to cook quickly. Adding too many to the pan will cool the water down too much, and they could go mushy or fall apart.

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. The result is often a lighter, "pillowy" dish, unlike the often denser, chewier gnocchi.

Is ricotta gnocchi better than potato gnocchi? ›

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.

What is gnudi in English? ›

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. Gnudi is thought to be the naked filling of ravioli — without the pasta that surrounds it.

Can I use cream cheese instead of ricotta in gnocchi? ›

You can substitute it, but consider these few factors, there is a lot more salt in cream cheese than in ricotta so you will have to adjust the over all salt. Cream cheese is a bit more tart than ricotta.

What does gnocchi mean in Italian? ›

The word gnocchi may be derived from the Italian word nocchio, meaning 'a knot in wood', or from nocca, meaning 'knuckle'. It has been a traditional type of Italian pasta since Roman times. It was introduced by the Roman legions during the expansion of the empire into the countries of the European continent.

Can I use sour cream instead of ricotta in gnocchi? ›

Whenever possible, we recommend using a cheesy alternative for ricotta when cooking, but sour cream and Greek yogurt are both a-okay in a pinch!

Is gnocchi more unhealthy 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.

Is gnocchi ok for diabetics? ›

Gnocchi is not just pasta—it's the ultimate comfort food, combining the best of both worlds, pasta and dumplings. However, due to its high carbohydrate content and potential impact of fat on blood sugar levels, dosing insulin for Gnocchi requires thoughtful consideration.

Is it better to boil or fry gnocchi? ›

Gnocchi should be soft, melt-in-your-mouth, fluffy pillows. They should not be tough and chewy. Is it better to boil or fry gnocchi? Both boiling and frying are good for gnocchi, but boiling is the most traditional method—and it's quick and easy.

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!

How is gnudi pronounced in Italian? ›

The “g” is silent in both words; thus, gnocchi is pronounced “nyoh-kee,” while gnudi is pronounced “nyoo-dee” or simply “noo-dee.”

What is the difference between gnocchi and mini gnocchi? ›

Mini Potato Gnocchi are a tasty alternative to the classic Potato Gnocchi, a typical, traditional Italian dish. They were created from the original recipe that combines selected potatoes and soft flour, but the difference is they only take 2 minutes to cook.

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