Ricotta Cheese Gnocchi with Vodka Cream Sauce

Gnocchi has to be one of my favorite Italian foods. There is just nothing quite like it. Its the best part of pasta and dumplings and deliciousness. I had no idea that it was also super easy to make.  The garlic flavor was intense but perfect. I served this with vodka cream sauce, which again, couldn’t believe how delicious or easy it was to make! FYI - Katie says that potato gnocchi dough is much more difficult to handle.

Ricotta Cheese Gnocchi

1 (8 ounce) container ricotta cheese

2 eggs

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1-3 cups all-purpose flour

1.                   Stir together the cheeses, eggs, and spices in a large bowl until evenly combined. Mix in 1 cup of flour.  Continue to add additional flour to form a soft dough.

2.                   Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

3.                   Bring a pot of salted water to a rapid boil and prepare your sauce.

4.                   Roll a section of dough into a 1/2-inch-thick rope on a floured surface. Cut each rope into 1-inch pieces. (The gnocchi almost double in size during the boiling time, so take that into account when cutting your pieces.)

5.                   After you have approx 15-25 pieces, add them to the boiling water one piece at a time to prevent sticking.

6.                   Boil gnocchi for approximately 5 minutes after they float to the surface.

7.                   Using a slotted spoon, transfer the finished gnocchi directly to the sauce.

8.                   Repeat steps 4-7 until all dough has been processed.

Adapted from All Recipes

Vodka Cream Sauce Adapted from Giada de Laurentiis's Everyday Italian

1 jar of your favorite marinara sauce

1 C of your best vodka

½ C whipping cream, room temperature

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon salt

Simmer the marinara and vodka together at medium-low heat for 20 min, stirring occasionally. Warm whipping cream, if needed (Don’t add cold, it will curdle, yuck!). Slowly add to the sauce. Let cook a few minutes until the sauce is heated through. Add cheese and salt, to taste.