GNUDI RECIPE - Traditional Tuscan dumpling with spinach and ricotta (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

Jump to Recipe

Gnudi is a classic Tuscan recipe, simple and delicious! The particularity of these Italian dumpling is the smoothness of the dough and the intense flavor thanks to the spinach Ricotta, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Commonly, Gnudi are tossed with butter and sage and often paired with a simple, fresh tomato sauce. Try them on and let me know: they’re an authentic bite of Tuscany!

If you like this recipe, please click here, leave a comment and vote 5 stars!
This simple actionhelps the growth of this blog and make me very happy🙂

GNUDI RECIPE - Traditional Tuscan dumpling with spinach and ricotta (2)

  • 1.75 lb (780 g) fresh spinach
  • ½ lb (230 g) Ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup (50 g) Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated
  • 2 eggs
  • 14 tbsp (110 g) all propose flour
  • 1 cup fresh tomatoes sauce (here my family recipe)
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 pinches nutmeg, grated
  • 10 leaves fresh sage
  • 2 pinches black pepper
  • 2 pinches table salt
  • 5 tbsp coarse salt

GNUDI RECIPE - Traditional Tuscan dumpling with spinach and ricotta (3)

GNUDI OR MALFATTI

Gnudi, also called Malfatti ("ugly shaped" in Italian) are delicious Tuscan dumplings made with a mixture very similar to the Ravioli filling. The legend tells of an Italian cook that tried to boil the leftovers stuffing of fresh pasta, creating in this way the Gnudi (“Gnudi” means "naked" in Tuscan dialect, filling stripped of the pasta shell).

The recipe is basically the same in all the Tuscany cities, besides a couple of things.

The first is the quantity of flour into the mixture: someone reduce or increase the amount, someone else just doesn't use it: in the last case, the dough will be very soft, but very difficult to cook maintaining their shape.

The second difference concerns the cheese. Some recipes requires just Parmigiano-Reggiano, some others only Pecorino Toscano, or a mix of both. Personally, I prefer use exclusivelyParmigiano-Reggiano.

GNUDI RECIPE - Traditional Tuscan dumpling with spinach and ricotta (4)

BOILING SPINACH

First, rinse the spinach leaves thoroughly and cook them 5 minutes in boiling water; then raise and pour the vegetables into iced water to stop the cooking and save the bright color. After that, squeeze the spinach a little at a time: it’s critical eliminate as much water as possible. Finally, mince the spinach.

GNUDI RECIPE - Traditional Tuscan dumpling with spinach and ricotta (5)

GNUDI DOUGH

Now, combine in a bowl the spinach with ricotta, eggs, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, 7 tbsp of flour, 2 pinches of nutmeg, 2 pinches of black pepper, and 2 pinches of salt. Whisk and knead the mixture until consistent, them store in the fridge covered with plastic wrap for at least 1 hour up to 24 hours.

GNUDI RECIPE - Traditional Tuscan dumpling with spinach and ricotta (6)

BUTTER AND SAGE

Melt the butter in a large pan, then sauté the sage over medium heat until the butter starts to become lightly brown.

GNUDI RECIPE - Traditional Tuscan dumpling with spinach and ricotta (7)

GNUDI DUMPLINGS

Divide the Gnudi dough into 20 parts, the roll in the flour shaping them into balls. Now, boil the dumplings into boiling water salted with 4.5 tbsp of coarse salt. Cook a couple of minutes then raise with a slotted spoon and season with the butter and sage. Be careful because the Gnudi are very delicate.

GNUDI RECIPE - Traditional Tuscan dumpling with spinach and ricotta (8)

SERVING GNUDI

Serve Gnudi immediately, with or without a spoon of fresh tomato sauce (here the recipe) and a sprinkle of Parmigiano-Reggiano and black pepper.

Did you like this recipe? please click here, leave a comment and vote 5 stars!
This simple actionhelp the growth of this blog and make very happy🙂

GNUDI RECIPE - Traditional Tuscan dumpling with spinach and ricotta (9)

GNUDI RECIPE - Traditional Tuscan dumpling with spinach and ricotta (10)

PRINTABLE VERSION

Yield: 4

GNUDI RECIPE - Traditional Tuscan dumplings with spinach and ricotta

GNUDI RECIPE - Traditional Tuscan dumpling with spinach and ricotta (11)

Gnudi is a classic Tuscan recipe, simple and delicious! The particularity of these Italian dumpling is the smoothness of the dough and the intense flavor thanks to the spinach Ricotta, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Commonly, Gnudi are tossed with butter and sage and often paired with a simple, fresh tomato sauce. Try them on and let me know: they’re an authentic bite of Tuscany!

Prep Time35 minutes

Total Time35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1.75 lb (780 g) fresh spinach
  • ½ lb (230 g) Ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup (50 g) Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated
  • 2 eggs
  • 14 tbsp (110 g) all propose flour
  • 1 cup fresh tomatoes sauce (here my family recipe)
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 pinches nutmeg, grated
  • 10 leaves fresh sage
  • 2 pinches black pepper
  • 2 pinches table salt
  • 5 tbsp coarse salt

Instructions

  1. BOILING SPINACH
    First, rinse the spinach leaves thoroughly and cook them 5 minutes in boiling water; then raise and pour the vegetables into iced water to stop the cooking and save the bright color. After that, squeeze the spinach a little at a time: it’s critical eliminate as much water as possible. Finally, mince the spinach.
  2. GNUDI DOUGH
    Now, combine in a bowl the spinach with ricotta, eggs, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, 7 tbsp of flour, 2 pinches of nutmeg, 2 pinches of black pepper, and 2 pinches of salt. Whisk and knead the mixture until consistent, them store in the fridge covered with plastic wrap for at least 1 hour up to 24 hours.
  3. BUTTER AND SAGE
    Melt the butter in a large pan, then sauté the sage over medium heat until the butter starts to become lightly brown.
  4. GNUDI DUMPLINGS
    Divide the Gnudi dough into 20 parts, the roll in the flour shaping them into balls. Now, boil the dumplings into boiling water salted with 4.5 tbsp of coarse salt. Cook a couple of minutes then raise with a slotted spoon and season with the butter and sage. Be careful because the Gnudi are very delicate.
  5. SERVING GNUDI
    Serve Gnudi immediately, with or without a spoon of fresh tomato sauce (here the recipe) and a sprinkle of Parmigiano-Reggiano and black pepper.

GNUDI RECIPE - Traditional Tuscan dumpling with spinach and ricotta (12)

GNUDI RECIPE - Traditional Tuscan dumpling with spinach and ricotta (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Gnudi and ricotta gnocchi? ›

Gnudi (Italian: [ˈɲuːdi]) 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.

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.

What does Gnudi in Italian mean? ›

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.

Can you freeze ricotta Gnudi? ›

You should have about 16 to 20 finished gnudi. Sprinkle any remaining semolina in the bowl over the formed gnudi. Cover baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 and up to 3 days, turning the gnudi once per day. Once gnudi have formed a skin, they can be frozen.

Is gnocchi better or worse for you 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.

What is a substitute for semolina in Gnudi? ›

Semolina Substitute

Replace the semolina flour called for in the recipe with an equal amount of all-purpose flour, bread flour, or whole-wheat flour. Bread flour or whole-wheat flour will work best; they have a higher gluten content than all-purpose flour.

What is the difference between gnocchi and gnudi? ›

Gnudi are often known as "ricotta gnocchi," whereas gnocchi is made with a starch base. The signature difference between the two truly comes down to cheese versus potatoes. However, making gnudi correctly isn't exactly an easy feat.

Why is my gnocchi gluey? ›

Less flour = fluffy gnocchi. Its ideal to bake the potatoes for gnocchi to dehydrate the potatoes even more so you only need to add the bare minimum of flour. Extra flour and the additional kneading makes it chewy.

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.

Can you reheat gnudi? ›

Make-Ahead: While they are best eaten immediately, you can make these up to 1 day ahead of time. Simply reheat right before serving. How to Reheat: Place them in a pot of boiling salted water and cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until hot. You can also cook on a microwave-safe plate until hot.

What is a gumba in Italian girlfriend? ›

Goomah — Mistress or girlfriend. It comes from the Italian comare, which means godmother or second mother. In other words, someone who takes care of you. Goomba — Compatriot or fellow comrade.

What is the history of gnudi ricotta? ›

The origin of the gnudi is ancient ,of course uncertain, handed down from the Tuscan peasant tradition . Probably one of the many gnocchi shaped dish typically cooked with other ingredients before the arrival of the potatoes with the discovery of America.

How long does spinach ricotta last in the fridge? ›

A: You can put your ricotta filling in an airtight container and store it in the fridge. However, I don't recommend storing it for more than 2 days. I typically use it right away, but that's just a personal preference. If you need it for foods that take time, you can make it in advance the night before.

What is the difference between ricotta and ricotta salata? ›

Ricotta salata is simply fresh ricotta that has been salted, pressed, and aged. It has a harder, less creamy texture and a saltier flavor than fresh ricotta.

Why can't you freeze ricotta cheese? ›

Ricotta is about 74% water, and when that water transforms into ice, it disrupts the cheese's texture and makes it dry, crumbly, and slightly grainy.

Are gnudi and gnocchi the same? ›

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.

What is ricotta gnocchi made of? ›

Light and delicate ricotta gnocchi are a lovely alternative to classic potato gnocchi and so easy to make. These fluffy Italian dumplings use just four ingredients—flour, cheese, egg, and salt. Serve this ricotta gnocchi recipe with a simple tomato sauce for a special night in.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Last Updated:

Views: 5893

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Birthday: 1999-09-15

Address: 8416 Beatty Center, Derekfort, VA 72092-0500

Phone: +6838967160603

Job: Mining Executive

Hobby: Woodworking, Knitting, Fishing, Coffee roasting, Kayaking, Horseback riding, Kite flying

Introduction: My name is Msgr. Refugio Daniel, I am a fine, precious, encouraging, calm, glamorous, vivacious, friendly person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.