Description
These Malfatti Italian Spinach Ricotta Dumplings with Napoli Sauce are a delightful dish that combines the freshness of spinach and the creaminess of ricotta, served with a flavorful homemade Napoli sauce. These rustic dumplings are a perfect choice for a comforting Italian meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Malfatti:
- 1 pound fresh spinach (or 10 oz frozen, thawed and drained)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese, well drained
- ½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Napoli Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 5 fresh basil leaves, torn
Instructions
- Prepare the Malfatti: If using fresh spinach, blanch it, drain, cool, and squeeze out excess water. Chop finely. Combine spinach, ricotta, Parmesan, egg, flour, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Shape into small dumplings and refrigerate.
- Make the Napoli Sauce: Sauté garlic in olive oil, then add crushed tomatoes, sugar, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer, then stir in basil.
- Cook the Malfatti: Boil dumplings until they float, then serve with Napoli sauce and Parmesan.
Notes
- Malfatti translates to ‘badly made’ in Italian, emphasizing their rustic appearance.
- Ensure ricotta and spinach are well-drained for the dough.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling and Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 6 dumplings with sauce
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
