Creamy Herbed Ricotta Gnocchi with Red Sauce (Print Version)
Pillowy gnocchi tossed in herbed ricotta and rich red sauce. A restaurant-worthy dinner ready in under 40 minutes.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: Italian
Dietary: Vegetarian
# Ingredients:
→ Pillowy Potato Gnocchi Base
01 -
1 lb store-bought or fresh potato gnocchi
02 -
2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 -
1 tbsp olive oil
04 -
1/2 tsp garlic powder
→ Silky Herbed Ricotta Cloud
05 -
1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
06 -
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
07 -
2 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped
08 -
1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
09 -
1 tsp lemon zest
10 -
Salt and pepper to taste
→ Slow-Simmered Crimson Sauce
11 -
1 can (28 oz) San Marzano crushed tomatoes
12 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
13 -
1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
14 -
1 tsp dried oregano
15 -
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
16 -
1 tbsp olive oil
→ Finishing Touches & Garnish
17 -
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, for garnish
18 -
3 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
19 -
1 tbsp high-quality extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced, and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
02 -
Pour in the full 28 oz can of San Marzano crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. For the best Millionaire Gnocchi: Creamy Herbed Ricotta & Red Sauce, let the sauce simmer uncovered on low-medium heat for 15-18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and deeply flavored. Season with salt and pepper.
03 -
While the sauce simmers, combine 1 cup whole-milk ricotta, 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, 2 tbsp fresh chopped basil, 1 tbsp fresh chives, and 1 tsp lemon zest in a bowl. Season generously with salt and pepper, then stir until smooth and creamy. Set aside at room temperature.
04 -
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil. Add 1 lb potato gnocchi and cook according to package directions, typically 2-3 minutes, until they float to the surface. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining, then drain the gnocchi immediately.
05 -
Melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter with 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the drained gnocchi in a single layer and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Sear undisturbed for 2-3 minutes per side until each piece develops a beautiful golden-brown crust.
06 -
Reduce heat to medium-low and ladle the slow-simmered crimson sauce directly into the skillet with the seared gnocchi. Gently toss to coat every piece, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. This is where your Millionaire Gnocchi: Creamy Herbed Ricotta & Red Sauce truly comes together.
07 -
Spoon generous dollops of the silky herbed ricotta cloud across the bottom of each warm serving bowl. Ladle the sauced gnocchi directly over the ricotta, allowing the heat to gently warm the cheese beneath. This layering technique is the signature of Millionaire Gnocchi: Creamy Herbed Ricotta & Red Sauce.
08 -
Finish each bowl of Millionaire Gnocchi: Creamy Herbed Ricotta & Red Sauce with a scatter of fresh basil leaves, a generous pinch of the 3 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan, and a luxurious drizzle of 1 tbsp high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
# Notes:
01 -
💡 Searing Tip: Don't skip the pan-sear step — it transforms store-bought gnocchi into something truly special. Make sure your skillet is hot and the gnocchi are well-drained so they crisp up rather than steam.
02 -
🧊 Storage Advice: Store leftover gnocchi and sauce together in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the ricotta mixture separate and add fresh dollops when reheating to preserve its creamy texture.
03 -
🔄 Substitution Tip: No fresh basil or chives on hand? Flat-leaf parsley and a pinch of dried dill work beautifully in the ricotta mixture. You can also swap whole-milk ricotta for a high-quality burrata for an even richer, creamier result.
04 -
🍽️ Serving Tip: For an elevated dinner party presentation, warm your serving bowls in a low oven at 200°F for 5 minutes before plating. A warm bowl keeps the ricotta soft and the sauce perfectly fluid all the way to the last bite.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
large pot
02 -
large skillet or sauté pan
03 -
medium saucepan
04 -
wooden spoon
05 -
fine grater or microplane
06 -
colander
07 -
cutting board
08 -
chef's knife
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 520 kcal
Total Fat: 24 g
Total Carbohydrate: 58 g
Protein: 18 g