I really love gnocchi, but the store-bought variety is less than stellar. I looked into making my own potato gnocchi and discovered it to be very tricky and time consuming. Somehow I stumbled upon ricotta gnocchi– I didn’t even know it existed! I tried it out right away and was hooked. Ricotta gnocchi is so easy and delicious.
Homemade Gnocchi Recipe
TO MAKE: Mix all ingredients but flour together. Slowly add the flour, adding more as needed for a soft dough. Divide dough into four parts, and roll into long ropes on a floured surface (approximately half-inch thick). Cut ropes into one-inch pieces. While sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of water to boil and boil gnocchi for 1-2 minutes or until they float. Drain gnocchi and serve warm with sauce.
Italian Meat Sauce Recipe:
- 1 lb. hamburger or Italian sausage, browned and drained
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 14 oz can diced tomato
- 6 oz can tomato paste
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 tsp fresh basil
- 1 tsp parsley flakes
- 1 Tb sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into small chunks
TO MAKE: Add all ingredients except mozzarella and bring to a boil. Turn heat to low and simmer for 30-60 minutes. Add mozzarella chunks (or I like to buy the pearls) just before serving so the mozzarella is soft, but not melted. I also like to chop fresh basil for garnish and add a little sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.
This meal was so delicious and a fun change from our regular spaghetti. It would go perfectly with this bread. I especially loved the mozzarella pearls and fresh basil bits in this meat sauce — you need to try it! Scrumptious. In fact, I should have doubled the gnocchi because my family of seven ate them very quickly!
Gnocchi recipe adapted from here. Sauce recipe adapted from here.
