Ricotta Gnudi: How to Make this Delicious Cheese Dumpling

Ricotta Gnudi is the most delicious, almost low carb, Italian dumpling that maybe you never heard of. Gnudi, a Tuscan word for nude, is literally what this is; a ravioli without its dough clothes. And the result, a pillowy, dumpling of cheese that is most delicious when smothered with a spicy pasta sauce, and yes, you guessed it more cheese.

If you are a ravioli lover, you will want to make this immediately. It’s not like making pasta, it’s not even like making gnocchi. Instead, it’s like making a meatball out of ricotta. It’s very simple to make and the result is nothing short of a heavenly ball of cheese that is scrumptiously delicious. And all you need to do is boil it for a few minutes before dousing it in sauce and devouring it!

Serves 4

Suggested Wine Pairing:

You wouldn’t go wrong with rose, but if you want to pair this with a red wine, try a pinot noir, which is just perfect with the sauce and the ricotta.

Ingredients:

8 ounces of good quality ricotta cheese, drained if needed

2 cups of pasta sauce

1/2 cup of shredded parmesan cheese

1 cup of semolina flour

1 teaspoon of olive oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta with salt, pepper, and 1/2 half of the parmesan cheese. To protect your hands from becoming covered in cheese, add the olive oil to the palms of your hands and begin rolling the ricotta into balls. Each ball should be about a tablespoon of cheese and the cheese should yield about 15 ricotta balls.
2. Roll each ball in the semolina flour and then place the ricotta gnudi into the fridge to chill for about 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, heat up your sauce in a medium saucepan and bring about 4 quarts of water to boil in separate pot. Once the water is boiling. Add the gnudi and cook for 3-4 minutes, carefully removing each ball with a slotted spoon once it floats to the top, and adding it into the sauce.
4. Plate 3-4 ricotta gnudi in a shallow bowl and cover with additional sauce and more parmesan cheese.