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Ricotta Gnocchi

This homemade ricotta gnocchi offers a lighter, quicker alternative to the traditional potato-based version. By using creamy whole-milk ricotta and fragrant nutmeg, these delicate dumplings achieve a soft, pillowy texture that melts in the mouth. When paired with a nutty, golden-brown butter and fresh rosemary, the result is a sophisticated vegetarian main course that brings the authentic flavours of an Italian trattoria to your kitchen table.

Perfect for a weekend lunch or a midweek treat, this recipe is surprisingly simple for beginners. Because the dough requires no heavy kneading, it remains tender and airy. Serve these elegant gnocchi with a generous dusting of Parmigiano-Reggiano and a crisp green salad to balance the rich, savoury notes of the brown butter sauce.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Ricotta Gnocchi

  • 475ml whole-milk ricotta (450g )

  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

  • 350ml grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (90g), divided

  • 1/4 teaspoons grated nutmeg

  • 160g plain flour

  • 1/2 stick unsalted butter

  • 1 (2-inch) rosemary sprig

How to make Ricotta Gnocchi

Stir together ricotta, eggs, 120g cheese, nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoons each of salt and pepper. Add flour, stirring to form a soft, wet dough.

Shape dough on a well-floured surface with lightly floured hands into 2 (1-inch-thick) ropes. Cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces with a lightly floured knife. Put in 1 layer on a lightly floured parchment-lined baking sheet.

Cook gnocchi in 2 batches in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (3 tablespoons salt for 5.7L water), adding a few at a time to pot and stirring occasionally, until cooked through (cut one in half to check), 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Lift out with a slotted spoon and drain in colander.

Meanwhile, cook butter with rosemary in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-low heat until golden brown, about 5 minutes.

Toss gnocchi with brown butter in skillet and sprinkle with remaining 60g cheese. Season with salt.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 16 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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