Any true fan of pasta knows that ricotta gnocchi is one of the best dishes you can make.
The pillowy dumplings of ricotta cheese, eggs, and flour are the perfect comfort food.
But what really takes them to the next level is the right sauce.
I’ve put together a list of 15 must-try sauces for ricotta gnocchi, so you can enjoy this classic dish in all its glory.
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From creamy sauces to hearty sauces, there’s something for everyone.
These sauces are sure to take your ricotta gnocchi to the next level.
1. Sweet Pea Butter Sauce
I bet you haven’t tried this sauce before!
This sauce is a unique and delicious way to take your ricotta gnocchi from simple to extraordinary.
The salty truffle Pecorino cheese adds a special something, and the lemon juice brightens up the whole dish.
It’s definitely worth trying out if you’re looking for a new twist on an old favorite.
Pro Tip: Make sure you have all of your ingredients ready before you start cooking so that everything comes together quickly and easily!
2. Pomodoro Sauce
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/206461964159673403/Super simple (and delicious) pomodoro sauce is the perfect accompaniment for ricotta gnocchi.
The combination of extra virgin olive oil, yellow onion, garlic, whole peeled tomatoes, and basil leaves creates a fresh yet savory flavor that can’t be beaten.
Whether you’re serving it as a meal or as an appetizer, this classic Italian dish is sure to please any crowd.
Pro Tip: If you want to add even more flavor to the sauce, try adding some red pepper flakes for a bit of heat!
3. Vodka Sauce
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/254171972712597478/Vodka sauce is just a classic (ask any Italian-American).
And it’s the perfect pairing for ricotta gnocchi.
This sauce is made with a combination of garlic, tomatoes, butter, heavy cream, and vodka (yes you heard that right).
Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes if needed.
To make the sauce come together perfectly, don’t forget to add a ladle of pasta water during cooking – this will really help thicken it up!
Serve your ricotta gnocchi with dollops of this delicious vodka sauce and you’ve got yourself an amazing dinner.
Pro Tip: For extra flavor in your dish, add some freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
4. Creamy Broccoli Sauce
This sauce is for the health-conscious foodie who still loves a good comfort dish.
It’s creamy, it’s light and the nutmeg gives it an extra depth of flavor.
The broccoli adds a nice crunch and brings in some extra nutrients to your plate.
And, this sauce is so easy to make – just bake the broccoli then blend with cream cheese, water, salt and pepper until smooth.
Pro Tip: Make sure to season generously for maximum flavor!
5. Creamy Garlic and Herb Butter Sauce
Creamy and garlicky (but not overly so), this sauce is the perfect partner to ricotta gnocchi.
It’s simple, but full of flavor and it only takes 20 minutes to make.
- To start, sauté 15 cloves of garlic in 1 ½ tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil until lightly browned.
- Then add 2 ½ cups of heated chicken stock and let it simmer for 10 minutes before adding the cream and butter pieces.
- Finally, stir in all your fresh herbs – parsley, thyme, oregano – as well as salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve over freshly cooked ricotta gnocchi for an indulgent Italian dinner that’s sure to impress!
6. Hollandaise Sauce
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/9148005497089152/It doesn’t get much simpler than this hollandaise sauce.
It’s so creamy and rich, you’ll be licking your plate!
All the ingredients come together in a pot on the stovetop over low heat.
The butter should melt slowly so that it emulsifies with the egg yolks without scrambling them.
Once everything is blended together, stir in salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste.
Then pour over ricotta gnocchi and enjoy!
Pro Tip: If you want an extra tangy flavor add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the mix.
7. Simple Roasted Tomato Sauce
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/816066394993785804/A little different than your traditional red sauce, this Simple Roasted Tomato Sauce is the perfect accompaniment to your pasta dish.
- Start by roasting tomatoes and onions in olive oil until they are caramelized and have released their juices.
- Then add garlic, balsamic vinegar, oregano, basil, and salt & pepper to taste.
- Stir everything together and cook on a low heat for around 15 minutes.
This will give you a delicious sauce that pairs perfectly with the pillowy ricotta dumplings of your gnocchi dish.
Pro Tip: For an extra bit of flavor, try adding some grated parmesan cheese at the end!
8. Creamy Mushroom Sauce
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/77124212361226594/I’ve loved mushroom sauce since I was a kid, and this creamy mushroom sauce is a must-try with your meal.
The combination of earthy mushrooms, sweet onions, savory garlic, and creamy sauce makes for an unforgettable dish.
And, it takes less than 30 minutes to make!
Pro Tip: To save time on prep work, try using pre-sliced mushrooms or even canned mushrooms (drained). You can also swap out the white wine for chicken broth if needed.
9. Eggplant (Aubergine) Sauce
This one might sound like a lot of work, but trust me – it’s worth the effort!
The combination of flavors in this sauce is out of this world.
This sauce brings together all the elements you’d expect from a classic Italian dish: sweetness from the tomato paste and sugar, earthy notes from the oregano and peppers, and a rich depth courtesy of the red wine.
Serve this over your ricotta gnocchi for an amazing meal that will have everyone coming back for more.
Pro Tip: Roast off some eggplant chunks to add on top as a garnish.
10. Lemon Caper Butter Sauce
I wouldn’t be surprised if this lemon caper butter sauce became your go-to from now on.
The combination of tangy lemons, salty capers, and savory herbs creates a delightful blend that is sure to make your tastebuds jump for joy.
Plus, it’s so easy to whip up – all you need is a few ingredients which you can easily find in your pantry or fridge!
Serve over freshly cooked gnocchi with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and voilà, the perfect comfort food meal.
Pro Tip: Make extra sauce and save it in the freezer for next time.
11. Chunky Marinara Sauce
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/89860955055210948/Marinara sauce is like a blank canvas for you to get creative with.
This chunky marinara sauce is special because it’s packed with a ton of flavor from the fresh basil, garlic, oregano, and San Marzano tomatoes.
It’s a delicious balance of sweet and spicy, thanks to the red pepper flakes and freshly-cracked black pepper.
And when combined with pillowy ricotta gnocchi?
Heaven!
Pro Tip: Make sure to use high-quality olive oil for this recipe as it really adds depth of flavor to the finished dish.
12. Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/801077852494068555/Never settle for a boring sauce again!
All you have to do is blend together roasted red peppers, Parmesan cheese, basil leaves, garlic, sea salt, lemon juice, and olive oil in a food processor until it reaches a smooth consistency.
The resulting creamy and slightly tangy sauce will take your dish to another level of deliciousness.
Pro Tip: If you want an even more intense flavor, try adding some smoked paprika or chili flakes for a kick.
13. Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1548181153452092/Sometimes, a little spice is all you need to take your gnocchi from good to great.
Spicy arrabbiata sauce is the perfect complement to these pillowy dumplings of ricotta cheese, eggs, and flour.
This easy-to-make sauce combines canned tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and a hint of sea salt in an olive oil base.
Serve this spicy arrabbiata sauce with your favorite ricotta gnocchi dish for a tasty meal that’s sure to please any pasta lover.
Pro Tip: To make it even creamier, add a dollop of mascarpone or parmesan cheese on top before serving!
14. Salsa di Pomodoro alla Napolitana (Neapolitan-Style Marinara Sauce)
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/92394229846644958/Treat your family and friends to a delicious ricotta gnocchi dish with the perfect Neapolitan-style marinara sauce.
The sauce is made from plum tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and olive oil.
It’s simple yet packs a flavorful punch that will take your dish to the next level.
And, it’s super easy to make!
Pro Tip: Try adding some freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top of the finished dish for extra cheesy goodness!
15. Truffle And Mushroom Sauce
Not as heavy as traditional pasta sauces, this truffle and mushroom sauce is the perfect topping for your ricotta gnocchi.
The combination of earthy dried mushrooms with fresh sliced mushrooms adds an extra depth of flavor to the dish.
To make it even better, you’ll finish off with a touch of truffle to really take your taste buds on a journey.
Pro Tip: Make sure to season generously with salt and pepper for maximum flavor!
Related:
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Ingredients
- Sweet Pea Butter Sauce
- Pomodoro Sauce
- Vodka Sauce
- Creamy Broccoli Sauce
- Creamy Garlic and Herb Butter Sauce
- Hollandaise Sauce
- Simple Roasted Tomato Sauce
- Creamy Mushroom Sauce
- Eggplant (Aubergine) Sauce for Pasta
- Lemon Caper Butter Sauce
- Chunky Marinara Sauce
- Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
- Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce
- Salsa di Pomodoro alla Napolitana (Neapolitan-Style Marinara Sauce)
- Truffle And Mushroom Sauce
Instructions
- Pick your favorite sauce from this collection.
- Prepare all of the required ingredients.
- Make your sauce in 15 minutes or less.
Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.