Description
Enjoy authentic Italian comfort food with Malfatti, soft spinach and ricotta dumplings paired with a fresh, aromatic Napoli tomato sauce. This easy yet impressive dish combines nutritious ingredients with homemade warmth, perfect for family meals or anytime you crave classic Italian flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Dumplings
- 250g fresh spinach
- 250g ricotta cheese
- 50g grated Parmesan cheese
- 80g all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Napoli Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 400g San Marzano tomatoes or quality canned tomatoes, crushed
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Handful fresh basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Spinach and Dumpling Mixture: Blanch the fresh spinach in boiling water for 1-2 minutes until wilted. Drain and chop finely. In a large bowl, combine chopped spinach, ricotta, grated Parmesan, flour, a pinch of salt and pepper, and one beaten egg. Mix gently until the mixture forms a soft dough suitable for shaping.
- Form the Dumplings: Lightly flour your hands and pinch off small portions of the mixture. Roll each into rustic, irregular dumpling shapes characteristic of Malfatti. Place them on a floured tray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Dumplings: Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil. Cook the dumplings in batches, dropping them into the water and cooking until they float to the surface, about 3-4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Make the Napoli Sauce: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh basil. Simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened and flavorful.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked Malfatti gently in the Napoli sauce to coat evenly. Serve hot, garnished with extra grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves.
Notes
- Use fresh spinach for best flavor and color; frozen spinach can be substituted if well drained.
- Mix ingredients just until combined to keep dumplings tender and light.
- Salt the boiling water generously to season dumplings during cooking.
- Cook the dumplings in batches to avoid overcrowding and sticking.
- Simmer the sauce slowly for optimal depth of flavor.
- Test-cook one dumpling first to check the consistency before forming the rest.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 6 dumplings with sauce)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg