Herbed Ricotta and Spinach Gnocchi
Herbed Ricotta and Spinach Gnocchi is a delightful and sophisticated dish that captures the essence of Italian cuisine. Adapted from a beloved Melbourne recipe, this version combines fresh spinach and creamy ricotta to create light and fluffy gnocchi. Topped with a rich herbed butter, this versatile dish can be served as a main course or side dish with a tossed salad. Choose your favorite herbs to personalize the flavor, creating a truly unique dining experience. Perfect for dinner parties or a cozy meal at home, this dish showcases the harmonious blend of rustic Italian ingredients in a comforting and elegant form.
4
Servings
312.5
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
spinach
1 kg (washed, cooked, drained, squeezed, and finely chopped)
ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups (low-fat is fine)
parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons (freshly grated, divided)
nutmeg
1 pinch (freshly grated)
egg yolks
2 (lightly beaten)
salt
to taste (none)
fresh ground black pepper
to taste (none)
plain flour
for dusting (none)
butter
1/4 cup (melted)
rosemary
1 pinch (to taste, optional)
sage
1 pinch (to taste, optional)
oregano
1 pinch (to taste, optional)
marjoram
1 pinch (to taste, optional)
Instructions
1
Wash the spinach thoroughly and leave some water clinging to the leaves.
2
Place the spinach in a large pot over low-medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes until wilted.
3
Drain the cooked spinach, squeezing out as much water as possible, and chop finely.
4
In a large bowl, combine the chopped spinach with ricotta cheese, half the grated Parmesan, nutmeg, and egg yolks.
5
Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
6
Shape the spinach-ricotta mixture into small balls, approximately 1 inch in diameter.
7
Lightly dust each gnocchi ball with plain flour.
8
Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil. Carefully drop in the gnocchi balls a few at a time.
9
Once the gnocchi rise to the surface, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the water, placing them on a warm serving dish.
10
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat and add your choice of rosemary, sage, oregano, or marjoram to create a fragrant herb butter.
11
Drizzle the herbed butter over the warm gnocchi balls.
12
Sprinkle the remaining grated Parmesan cheese over the gnocchi and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
20 g
Fat
16.5 g
Carbs
18.5 g
Protein
5 g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herbed Ricotta and Spinach Gnocchi?
This is a light and fluffy Italian dish made from fresh spinach and creamy ricotta, served with a fragrant herbed butter.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this dish is classified as vegetarian.
How many servings does this recipe make?
The recipe makes 4 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 312.5 calories.
How much fat is in each serving?
There are 20 grams of fat per serving.
How much protein is provided per serving?
Each serving provides 18.5 grams of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
There are 16.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the fiber content of this recipe?
This recipe contains 5 grams of fiber per serving.
How much spinach is required?
You will need 1 kg of fresh spinach.
What type of ricotta should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of ricotta cheese; low-fat varieties are acceptable.
How much Parmesan cheese do I need?
You need 4 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, which is divided for use in the dough and as a topping.
How many eggs are used in the gnocchi?
The recipe uses 2 lightly beaten egg yolks.
What seasonings are used for the dough?
The dough is seasoned with a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and black pepper.
How should the spinach be prepared?
Spinach should be washed, cooked until wilted, squeezed to remove all water, and then finely chopped.
Why is it important to squeeze the spinach?
Squeezing out as much water as possible ensures the gnocchi mixture has the right consistency to be shaped into balls.
How do I shape the gnocchi?
Shape the mixture into small balls approximately 1 inch in diameter.
Is flour used in the dough?
The recipe uses plain flour specifically for dusting the shaped gnocchi balls before cooking.
How do you cook the gnocchi balls?
Drop them into a large pot of gently boiling salted water until they rise to the surface.
What tool should I use to remove gnocchi from the water?
A slotted spoon is recommended to carefully remove the gnocchi once they float.
How do I make the herbed butter?
Melt 1/4 cup of butter over low heat and add your choice of rosemary, sage, oregano, or marjoram.
Which herbs are recommended for the sauce?
You can use rosemary, sage, oregano, or marjoram to create a fragrant herb butter.
Can I serve this as a main course?
Yes, it is a versatile dish that can be served as either a main course or a side dish.
What side dish pairs well with this gnocchi?
A simple tossed salad is a great accompaniment to this dish.
How long does it take to wilt the spinach?
It takes approximately 5 minutes over low-medium heat.
What is the texture of the finished gnocchi?
The gnocchi are light, fluffy, and sophisticated.
Does this recipe contain sodium information?
The exact sodium content is not specified, though salt is added to taste.
Is sugar added to this recipe?
No, there is no added sugar in this recipe.
Where does this gnocchi recipe originate?
This version is adapted from a beloved Melbourne recipe and captures the essence of Italian cuisine.
Can I personalize the flavor?
Yes, you can choose your favorite herbs for the butter to create a unique dining experience.
When should I serve the gnocchi?
The gnocchi should be served immediately after drizzling with butter and sprinkling with Parmesan.