Ricotta gnocchi – the easy way to make gnocchi
This is not the first time I’ve shared a ricotta gnocchi recipe (see here and here), and it will not be the last. I’m a big fan because it’s a much simpler and faster to make than the more well known potato gnocchi which requires accuracy to ensure they don’t end up dense and doughy. Plus, I like that ricotta gnocchi are lighter and fluffier than potato gnocchi, so it doesn’t leave you feeling weighed down. And yes, ricotta gnocchi is legit Italian! As with many traditional foods around the world, there are various ways to make gnocchi in Italy, ricotta gnocchi being one variety. 🙂 Delving into the difference a little more – Essentially, potato gnocchi is made with mashed potato, flour and egg. Ricotta gnocchi simply switches the potato with ricotta, and in this recipe some parmesan is added for extra flavour. I find that they actually taste quite similar, because truthfully, potato gnocchi doesn’t taste much like potato once tossed with the sauce. And likewise, with ricotta being a neutral flavoured cheese, you can’t taste it much in ricotta gnocchi. But the big difference is texture and speed of making. Ricotta gnocchi is, as mentioned above, softer and lighter than potato gnocchi. And as for making time – 20 minutes vs 1 hour minimum! PS Just to be clear, this recipe is not dissing potato gnocchi. I adore them. But I can’t remember the last time I made them. Whereas ricotta gnocchi is a regular!
Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this ricotta gnocchi with creamy mushroom sauce.
For the ricotta gnocchi
Ricotta – Use regular ricotta that is kind of lumpy when you scoop it up (see video). Not the creamy, smooth spreadable type of ricotta (usually labelled “spreadable ricotta” 0r similar.) That is too wet and loose, which will make the dough too sticky. Paesanella, which is widely available in NSW, is my favourite mainstream brand. In Victoria, look for That’s Amore. Got the wrong ricotta? – If you got the spreadable smooth type accidentally, you’ll need around 450g/15 oz and will need to extract excess liquid by placing it in a paper towel lined colander for an hour, or even overnight. Then measure out 250g/8 oz and proceed with the recipe. Flour – just plain / all-purpose flour. Not self raising flour, it will make the ricotta puff up and it will sort of disintegrate (yep, tried it!). Parmesan – This adds flavour as well as adding a bit of structure to the dough. Without, the dough is a little too fragile and the gnocchi more susceptible to falling apart if the dough consistency is not perfect. Think of it as cheese glue that is holding the gnocchi together! Egg + egg yolk – For a little richness and also to hold the gnocchi together.
Creamy mushroom sauce
Here’s what you need for this lovely creamy mushroom sauce infused with subtle thyme flavour. Paesanella, which is widely available in NSW, is my favourite mainstream brand. In Victoria, look for That’s Amore. Got the wrong ricotta? – If you got the spreadable smooth type accidentally, you’ll need around 450g/15 oz and will need to extract excess liquid by placing it in a paper towel lined colander for an hour, or even overnight. Then measure out 250g/8 oz and proceed with the recipe.
Mushrooms – Just regular white mushrooms, or Swiss Brown/cremini if you prefer. Cream – Thickened cream / heavy cream is, as the name suggests, thicker! So the sauce will thicken faster. But it’s fine to use regular pouring or whipping cream here as the starch in the gnocchi will thicken the sauce quickly once you start tossing them together. White wine – I almost always deglaze my pan using wine for sauces. Deglazing simply means using a liquid to dissolve gold bits stuck on the base of the pan from sautéing things (mushrooms and onion in this case) into the liquid because it’s free flavour. You could use water or stock, but wine adds more flavour into the sauce. We cook out the alcohol so it doesn’t taste winey at all. Type of wine – Chardonnay is my default white wine these days, for the best flavour and best all-rounder for cooking. But any dry white wine will work fine here. Just avoid anything too sweet. Also, feel free to skip the wine if you can’t consume alcohol. The sauce will still be delicious! Chicken stock / broth – The liquid for the sauce. Feel free to use vegetable stock instead, if you want to keep it vegetarian. I always use low-sodium so I can control the level of salt in dishes. If you only have full salt stock, reduce the amount of salt listed in the ingredients (start with half then add more at the end if desired). Thyme sprigs – Using fresh thyme sprigs infuses the sauce with better thyme flavour, but you can substitute with dried thyme leaves. Butter – For cooking the onion and mushrooms. Feel free to substitute with olive oil (but butter makes it tastier!). Onion and garlic – Adds extra flavour into the sauce. You could skip the onion, but really recommend not skipping the garlic! (PS You can use eschallots/French onions – called shallots in the States – instead of onion).
How to make ricotta gnocchi
The trick to making ricotta gnocchi so it’s really light and soft inside is to use the minimum amount of flour you can get away with. Stickier dough = lighter gnocchi! However ricotta gnocchi is much more forgiving than potato gnocchi so even if you add more flour than ideal, they will still be lovely and soft inside. I have tested 1 1/4 cups of flour (recipe calls for 3/4 cup up to 1 cup), and it was still great! Type of wine – Chardonnay is my default white wine these days, for the best flavour and best all-rounder for cooking. But any dry white wine will work fine here. Just avoid anything too sweet. Also, feel free to skip the wine if you can’t consume alcohol. The sauce will still be delicious!
1. HOW TO MAKE RICOTTA GNOCCHI
Next, let’s get onto cooking them! Mushroom sauce first. The dough will be too sticky to knead. But because of the way the gnocchi is rolled and cut, it can be very sticky on the inside, we just use flour on the outside to make it manageable. (See next steps) Scrape them onto a tray and dust very lightly with flour as needed to keep them from sticking on the tray and to each other. They can stay on the tray while you make the mushroom sauce, they won’t dry out in that time. But cover with cling wrap if you intend to faff around for a while. And if you’re making them to cook later that day, refrigerate them.
2. MAKE THE Creamy mushroom sauce
Heads up: the sauce will seem a little thin. But once you add the gnocchi it will thicken quickly from the starch in the gnocchi. So have faith!
3. HOW TO COOK GNOCCHI AND TOSS WITH THE SAUCE
Tip: Boil the gnocchi in a pot next to the mushroom sauce so you can scoop it out of the water and straight into the sauce.
Important: serve it straight away!
Like all pasta, gnocchi is at its best the moment it is cooked. Every minute it is sitting around, the quality erodes. Harsh but true fact. Hot, freshly cooked gnocchi is soft and pillowy and the sauce is creamy and slick. As they cool, they become firmer and chewier and the sauce thickens and firms up. It can be resurrected to a degree in the microwave, but it’s never like when freshly made! The lesson here is to ensure that the lucky recipients of your gorgeous little plump gnocchi are seated at the table, napkins tucked under their chins, spoons in hand, ready to dig into the gnocchi the moment you place the bowl in front of them. I know they were relatively low effort to make. But we should still do what we can to ensure they are enjoyed at their absolutely prime so you will be lavished with maximum praise, you Gnocchi Goddess, you! (or God) – Nagi x
ADD THESE TO COMPLETE YOUR MEAL!
Watch how to make it
More sauces for ricotta gnocchi
Use the sauces from these recipes in place of the creamy mushroom sauce in this recipe!
Life of Dozer
Four faces of Dozer: 2. Blinded – How dare the sun be so glowy and warm? 3. Help – This woman won’t let me go. 4. Happy. Photos like this make me smile so much. There was a time just a couple of months ago I never thought I’d see him like this again! Admittedly, it is only short bursts of energy. But it’s a massive improvement! I am so, so grateful and feel so fortunate that I have more time with him. Every day is precious. ❤️
