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    Home » Recipes » Mains

    Broccoli Rabe Ricotta Gnudi With Parmesan Cream

    Published: Nov 26, 2017, Last updated: Oct 9, 2018 by Emily This post may contain affiliate links.

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    An absolutely delicious recipe for broccoli rabe and ricotta gnudi with a simple parmesan cream sauce. Light and soft gnudi that melt in your mouth with the most amazing cheesy sauce, a special dinner without the effort.

    These ricotta gnudi are so easy to make and the parmesan cream (my favourite thing ever) takes only a few minutes at the very end. It's an incredible comfort food dish that can be whipped up any day of the week yet is special enough to serve for special occasions or date night.

    Broccoli rabe and ricotta gnudi on a blue plate with parmesan cream

    Gnudi Vs Gnocchi

    Gnudi meaning nude in Italian are delicious, light little dumplings made with ricotta cheese instead of potato as gnocchi are. They are much quicker to make than regular gnocchi and are often seen mixed with cooked spinach.

    They are cooked in the same way as gnocchi, placed carefully into boiling water and left to float to the surface when ready.

    I made these gnudi with broccoli rabe, a leafy, slightly bitter, green vegetable that is absolutely delicious mixed with creamy, soft ricotta cheese.

    How To Make Ricotta Gnudi - Step By Step

    First, add the broccoli rabe to boiling salted water and turn off the heat straight away. Make sure all of the broccoli rabe is covered by the hot water, leave it to soak for 2 minutes then drain.

    Place the broccoli rabe in a clean tea towel and squeeze out as much water as possible, finely chop.

    Add the chopped broccoli rabe, egg, garlic, flour, parmesan, salt, pepper and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl. Mix all the ingredients together until thoroughly combined.

    Using wet hands, roll one tablespoon at a time of ricotta gnudi mix, into balls (the balls don't need to be completely smooth and perfectly shaped) and place them on a large plate or tray.

    Sprinkle the gnudi very lightly with flour and place in the fridge for half an hour.

    Step by step photos for how to make broccoli rabe and ricotta gnudi

    To cook the ricotta gnudi, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully drop the gnudi into the water and turn the water down to a simmer.

    When the gnudi float to the surface, let them cook for an extra 30 seconds then remove them with a slotted spoon and place on a warm plate, keep them warm in the oven.

    To make the parmesan cream, fry the chopped garlic in a small frying pan with a little olive oil. Fry the garlic for a few seconds, just before it becomes golden add the cream.

    Bring the cream up to a boil and let it boil for one minute. Turn the heat down and add the parmesan, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Simmer the cream and let the parmesan melt for 1 minute or until it's thickened slightly.

    Spoon the cream onto serving plates and top with the gnudi, sprinkle with an extra grating of parmesan and pepper then serve.

    A close up of broccoli rabe and ricotta gnudi in a parmesan cream

    If you've tried these broccoli rabe and ricotta gnudi or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I'm getting up to.

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    5 from 7 votes

    Broccoli Rabe and Ricotta Gnudi

    An absolutely delicious recipe for broccoli rabe and ricotta gnudi with a simple parmesan cream sauce. Light and soft gnudi that melt in your mouth with the most amazing cheesy sauce, a special dinner without the effort.
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Prep Time 50 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 549kcal
    Author Emily Kemp

    Ingredients

    For the Gnudi

    • 10.5 oz (300g) Broccoli Rabe
    • 14 oz (400g) Ricotta
    • ½ cup 85g plain flour
    • 1 egg
    • 1 garlic clove , minced
    • 1 tablespoon parmesan grated
    • 1 pinch nutmeg
    • 1 pinch of salt and pepper

    For the parmesan cream

    • ½ tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 cup (250ml) double (heavy) cream
    • 1 pinch nutmeg
    • 1 garlic clove
    • 1 pinch of salt and pepper
    • ¼ cup 25g parmesan grated

    Instructions

    • First, add the broccoli rabe to boiling salted water and turn off the heat straight away. Make sure all of the broccoli rabe is covered by the hot water, leave it to soak for 2 minutes then drain.
    • Place the broccoli rabe in a clean tea towel and squeeze out as much water as possible, finely chop.
    • Add the chopped broccoli rabe, egg, garlic, flour, parmesan, salt, pepper and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl. Mix all the ingredients together until thoroughly combined.
    • Using wet hands roll one tablespoon at a time of ricotta gnudi mix into balls (the balls don't need to be completely smooth and perfectly shaped) and place them on a large plate or tray.
    • Sprinkle the gnudi very lightly with flour and place in the fridge for half an hour.
    • Pre-heat the oven to warm (to keep the gnudi warm whilst making the sauce).
    • To cook the ricotta gnudi, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully drop the gnudi into the water and turn the water down to a simmer.
    • When the gnudi float to the surface, let them cook for an extra 30 seconds then remove them with a slotted spoon and place on a warm plate, keep them warm in the oven.
    • To make the parmesan cream, fry the chopped garlic in a small frying pan with the olive oil. Fry the garlic for a few seconds, just before it becomes golden add the cream.
    • Bring the cream up to a boil and let it boil for one minute. Turn the heat down and add the parmesan, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Simmer the cream and let the parmesan melt for 1 minute or until it's thickened slightly.
    • Spoon the cream onto serving plates and top with the gnudi, sprinkle with an extra grating of parmesan and pepper then serve.

    Notes

    • Broccoli rabe can be substituted for spinach.
    • The gnudi can be made one day in advance and kept in the fridge.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 549kcal
    Helpful Info for All Recipes
    • I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise
    • When I use canned or jarred tomatoes of any kind I always use Cirio or Mutti brands for the best results and flavour.
    • All vegetables are medium sized unless stated otherwise
    • All recipes are tested and developed using a fan (convection) oven
    • Find out more about how nutrition is calculated.
    • Check out our must have Italian Pantry Staples.
    • You can also find all our Essential Kitchen Tools for Italian Cooking.
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @insidetherustickitchen or tag #insidetherustickitchen! We'd love you see what you're getting up to in the kitchen!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sarah

      November 27, 2017 at 2:07 pm

      Oh my word! Not only does this sound absolutely delicious, but the presentation is gorgeous! What a perfect dish for guests this holiday season!

      Reply
    2. pretty

      November 27, 2017 at 3:02 pm

      I have never had gnudi but this recipe looks great and I am always looking for easy Italian recipes. Thanks!5 stars

      Reply
    3. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables

      November 27, 2017 at 2:42 pm

      These sound amazing! I've been on such a ricotta kick lately, I can't get enough!5 stars

      Reply
    4. Jane

      November 27, 2017 at 2:17 pm

      I've never heard of Gnudi before (love the name!) but will definitely be giving them a go - thank you!5 stars

      Reply
    5. Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes

      November 27, 2017 at 1:21 pm

      I love broccoli rabe and I love gnocchi. I haven't had gnudi before but our description makes me want to try them. Pinning!5 stars

      Reply
    6. Britt | Sweet Tea & Thyme

      November 26, 2017 at 8:18 pm

      I have been making gnocchi for a little bit now, but now I've gotta try making gnudi. Your photos make them look so good!

      Reply
    7. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry

      November 26, 2017 at 5:24 pm

      What a delicious looking dish - I don't think I've ever tried gnudi but I definitely feel like I should!5 stars

      Reply
    8. sue | theviewfromgreatisland

      November 26, 2017 at 4:50 pm

      These look amazing, Emily, I love that last shot, I feel like I could plunge my fork right in!

      Reply
    9. debi at Life Currents

      November 26, 2017 at 4:41 pm

      These look so good! Just like something I would love to make! And I love spinach! Thanks so much.5 stars

      Reply
    10. Laura

      November 26, 2017 at 4:35 pm

      I love the gnudi. I know them as brutti ma buoni, but I think it was just a friend that called them like that when we were little. The replacement of broccoli rabe is a great idea. I wouldn't find them here in France but I have no problem driveing 40 minutes to Ventimiglia border just for that.5 stars

      Reply

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