Bean and basil gnocchi with sauce, obviously without potatoes, a recipe that combines the delicacy of gnocchi with the freshness of basil and the richness of beans, all wrapped in a creamy tomato and ricotta sauce.
The bean and basil gnocchi in tomato sauce and ricotta are a combination of flavors and textures, perfect for a dinner or lunch for those who want to impress and pamper at the same time.
This dish is not only a pleasure for the palate but also a tribute to Italian culinary tradition, revisited with a touch of originality.
The natural sweetness of beans is balanced by the slight bitterness and full flavor of whole wheat or spelt flour, creating a harmonious balance.
Whole wheat or spelt flour adds a more rustic and grainy texture to the gnocchi, which pleasantly contrasts with the softness of the beans.
The combination of these ingredients gives a darker and more inviting color, suggesting
a nutritious and tasty dish.
This combination not only enriches the dish nutritionally, but also offers a complete and satisfying sensory experience.
Below I leave you other sure-fire gnocchi recipes and then we’ll go right under the photo to find out how to prepare bean and basil gnocchi with sauce obviously without potatoes!!!
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Stove
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients for Bean and Basil Gnocchi with Sauce
- 17 oz canned cannellini beans (or cooked, you'll need 6 oz of dried beans)
- 20 leaves basil
- 1.25 cups spelt flour (or whole wheat)
- 2 pinches salt
- 14 oz tomato sauce
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 onion (small-medium)
- 4 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
- 2 pinches salt
- to taste black pepper
- 7 oz ricotta (cow's milk)
- 1 bunch basil
Tools
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Pot
- 1 Slotted Spoon
- 1 Pan
- 1 Gnocchi Board
Preparation of Bean and Basil Gnocchi with Sauce
To prepare the Bean and Basil Gnocchi first, prepare the sauce by finely chopping the onion and garlic.
Wash and dry the basil.
In a large pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until they begin to brown.
Add the tomato sauce to the pan, season with salt and pepper to taste.
Let the sauce cook on low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
At the end of cooking, add the fresh basil leaves and mix well.Turn off the heat and add the fresh ricotta, gently mixing until you get a creamy sauce.
Drain and rinse the canned cannellini beans or your pre-cooked ones, mash them with a fork or blend them in a mixer with a few basil leaves until you get a smooth puree.
In a large bowl, combine the bean puree, spelt flour, salt, and if desired, a pinch of nutmeg.
Mix well until you get a homogeneous dough.
Let the bean mixture rest for 15-20 minutes, meanwhile bring a pot full of water to a boil to cook the gnocchi.
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and work it into a cylinder. Cut the cylinder into pieces of about 3/4 inch and form the gnocchi.
You can roll them over the tines of a fork to give the classic grooved shape, or use the classic wooden gnocchi board.
Cook the gnocchi until they rise to the surface (about 2-3 minutes) being careful not to stir them too much.
Drain them with a slotted spoon directly into the tomato and ricotta sauce over medium-low heat just long enough to flavor them.
Advice
You can skip the black pepper if you don’t like it.
If you want, you can flavor the gnocchi dough with a pinch of nutmeg.
If you don’t have spelt flour, you can use a good quality whole wheat flour.
If you don’t have spelt flour, you can use a good quality whole wheat flour.
How to store bean and basil gnocchi with sauce
You can store uncooked gnocchi in the fridge, well spread out on a tray for 1 day covered with plastic wrap.
Once cooked, they should be eaten immediately otherwise they lose their texture.
Other recipes
If you want to see other types of recipes you can return to HOME
FAQ
Can I use borlotti beans?
Yes, you can use the variety of beans you prefer, whether dried and then soaked and cooked, or canned.
Yes, you can use the variety of beans you prefer, whether dried and then soaked and cooked, or canned.
Can I avoid using ricotta?
Yes, you can make a simple tomato sauce without ricotta.
Yes, you can make a simple tomato sauce without ricotta.
