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Spinach Ricotta Dumplings in Napoli Sauce

Spinach Ricotta Dumplings in Napoli Sauce
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Spinach Ricotta Dumplings in Napoli Sauce is an Italian comfort food recipe featuring light, fluffy dumplings filled with fresh spinach and creamy ricotta, served in a vibrant homemade Napoli sauce made from fresh tomatoes and aromatic herbs. This vegetarian dish is nourishing, full of flavor, and perfect for any meal occasion, offering both simplicity and elegance.

Ingredients

Scale

Dumplings

  • 250g fresh spinach
  • 250g ricotta cheese
  • 100g all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Napoli Sauce

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 400g crushed tomatoes (canned or fresh)
  • 5–6 fresh basil leaves
  • 1 tsp fresh oregano, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

To Serve

  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional but recommended)
  • Extra virgin olive oil (optional)
  • Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preparing the Spinach and Ricotta Mixture: Wash fresh spinach and blanch it in boiling water for 1-2 minutes until wilted. Drain well and squeeze out all excess moisture to prevent soggy dumplings. Finely chop the spinach and combine it with ricotta cheese, a pinch of salt, pepper, and one beaten egg in a bowl. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
  2. Making the Dumpling Dough: Gradually add flour to the spinach and ricotta mixture, folding it in gently to form a soft but workable dough. The dough should be slightly sticky yet able to hold shape. Avoid over-mixing to keep the dumplings tender and light.
  3. Shaping and Cooking the Dumplings: Using two spoons or your hands, gently shape the mixture into bite-sized dumplings. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and carefully drop in the dumplings. Cook for 3-4 minutes until they float to the surface. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  4. Making the Napoli Sauce: While the dumplings cook, heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté finely chopped onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant. Add crushed tomatoes, fresh basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 15-20 minutes to blend flavors.
  5. Combining and Serving: Transfer the cooked dumplings carefully to the simmering Napoli sauce, stirring gently to coat. Warm together for a couple of minutes, allowing the dumplings to absorb the sauce’s flavors. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil if desired.

Notes

  • Drain spinach thoroughly to avoid soggy dumplings.
  • Do not overwork the dough to keep dumplings tender and light.
  • Use fresh herbs to elevate the flavor of the Napoli sauce.
  • Simmer the sauce gently for the best tomato flavor without bitterness.
  • Test-cook one dumpling first to check the texture and seasoning.

Nutrition

Keywords: Spinach Ricotta Dumplings, Napoli Sauce, Italian comfort food, vegetarian dumplings, gluten-free dumplings, homemade Italian sauce

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/spinach-ricotta-dumplings-in-napoli-sauce/