Description
This Millionaire Gnocchi recipe features tender pre-cooked gnocchi pan-fried to golden crispiness and served with a rich, savory Italian sausage red sauce. It’s topped with creamy herbed ricotta made with fresh lemon zest, garlic, and garden herbs for a bright flavor contrast. A satisfying, restaurant-quality meal ready in about an hour, perfect for family dinners or entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Meat
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage (or meatless alternative)
- 1–2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, minced
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
Herbed Ricotta
- 6–8 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 small garlic clove, grated
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Salt, to taste
- Minced herbs (chives, parsley, thyme), to taste
Gnocchi and Topping
- Two 16-oz packages of pre-cooked gnocchi
- Your favorite golden breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the ground Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes and Season: Stir in the crushed tomatoes and dried oregano, then season with salt and red pepper flakes to your preference. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook uncovered for 20-30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken slightly.
- Make Herbed Ricotta: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese with grated garlic, lemon zest and juice, minced fresh herbs, and salt. Stir until smooth and well blended. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.
- Cook Gnocchi: Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a little oil, then cook the pre-cooked gnocchi in batches. Fry them until golden and crisp on the outside, about 3-5 minutes per side. Remove and keep warm.
- Crisp Breadcrumbs: In the same skillet, optionally toast your favorite golden breadcrumbs until crunchy and golden, about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
- Assemble and Serve: Plate the crisp gnocchi, spoon over the hearty red sausage sauce, dollop with the herbed ricotta, and sprinkle with the toasted golden breadcrumbs for added texture and flavor. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use meatless sausage or vegan crumbles for a vegetarian version.
- Fresh herbs make a big flavor difference—try to use fresh chives, parsley, and thyme for the herbed ricotta.
- Pre-cooked gnocchi cuts down on total cooking time significantly.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat level of the sauce.
- For gluten-free, substitute gluten-free gnocchi and breadcrumbs.
