SPINACH AND RICOTTA MALFATTI, THE EASY NO-KNEAD HOMEMADE PASTA RECIPE
Main Dish
If you've ever wanted to make homemade pasta but the idea of kneading intimidates you, malfatti are the answer you've been waiting for. These little Italian bites, similar to gnocchis, are a real no-fuss treat. Their name literally means "badly done", and that already gives us a clue: here there is no pressure for perfection, just the desire to enjoy at the table an easy and traditional recipe with all the flavor of Italy. Originally from Tuscany, ricotta and spinach malfatti are prepared with simple ingredients but full of character: creamy ricotta, fresh spinach and a touch of grated cheese. They are traditionally served with butter and sage, although you can accompany them with a homemade tomato sauce, a silky béchamel sauce or, as in our version, with a delicious cream and cheese sauce. The best thing is that you don't need special utensils or complicated techniques. Just mix the ingredients, form portions, boil for a few minutes and serve with your favorite sauce. The result is a dish full of flavor, ideal for any occasion. Ready to enjoy this delicious dish that smells like Sunday at the nonna's house?
Ingredients
Approximately 16 malfatti:
- 14 oz spinach
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1 Tbsp butter (melted)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (quantity to taste)
- Nutmeg (quantity to taste)
For the sauce:
- 3/4 cup of cooking cream
- Nutmeg (amount to taste)
- Melting cheese (optional)
To golden:
- 1 cup Emmental cheese, grated
Preparation
Step 1:
Remove excess water from the ricotta. Place it in a colander lined with gauze and let it drain. Ideally, let it drain overnight in the refrigerator, although this is not always necessary.
Step 2:
Clean the spinach, removing the stems and fibrous parts. Cook in salted water for 3 minutes (from boiling) and drain well. Let cool and, once cool, remove excess water by pressing them against a strainer or squeezing them on a clean cloth. Finely chop the spinach or put it through a food processor.
Step 3:
In a bowl mix: chopped spinach, ricotta, egg, Parmesan cheese, melted butter, flour, salt (if necessary), pepper, nutmeg. Mix well.
Step 4:
With lightly floured hands, form balls of approximately 1 oz/30 gr (equivalent to 1 large spoonful). Make sure they are all of similar size so that they cook evenly.
Step 5:
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the malfatti and cook them.
Step 6:
Remove the malfatti with a skimmer as soon as they float and serve.
Step 7:
For the sauce: In a pan pour the cream, add a little nutmeg, add the cheese and cook until the cheese melts and the cream takes on a thick consistency. Stir from time to time.
Step 8:
In a dish or ovenproof dish, pour the sauce on the base, arrange the malfatti on top, sprinkle with cheese and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F/180°C for 15 minutes. If you prefer a more golden crust, use the grill function until the desired browning is reached.
Step 9:
And that's it!
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2025-05-05T07:13:55Z