How to Make Spinach Ricotta Dumplings in Napoli Sauce

If you love the comforting flavors of Italian cuisine, you’re going to adore this recipe for Spinach Ricotta Dumplings in Napoli Sauce. These tender, creamy dumplings made with fresh spinach and ricotta pair beautifully with a rich, homemade Napoli sauce—offering a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that feel like a warm hug on a plate. Whether you want a simple weeknight dinner or a dish to impress guests, this recipe is your go-to for authentic taste with an easy preparation.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fresh & Flavorful: Each dumpling bursts with the freshness of spinach and the creaminess of ricotta, creating a satisfying bite every time.
• Comfort Food with a Twist: This dish combines the warmth of traditional Italian comfort food with a healthy, green boost from spinach.
• Easy to Make: Despite its gourmet taste, this recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward steps, perfect for cooks of all levels.
• Customizable: You can easily adapt the recipe by swapping sauces or adding herbs to suit dietary preferences and flavor profiles.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether for dinner parties, family meals, or cozy solo dining, it fits right in.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of making Spinach Ricotta Dumplings in Napoli Sauce lies in the simplicity and quality of its ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in balancing flavor, texture, and color to create an irresistible dish.

• Fresh Spinach: Provides vibrant color and subtle earthiness essential for the dumplings’ light vegetable taste.
• Ricotta Cheese: Adds creamy richness and helps bind the dumpling mixture together.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers a savory depth and sharpness, boosting the overall flavor complexity.
• Eggs: Act as a natural binder to ensure your dumplings hold their shape during cooking.
• Flour or Breadcrumbs: Provides structure and texture to help the dumplings stay tender yet firm.
• Garlic & Onion: Infuses aromatic warmth into the Napoli sauce and dumplings alike.
• Crushed San Marzano Tomatoes: Forms the base of the Napoli sauce with a bright, slightly sweet tomato flavor.
• Fresh Basil & Oregano: Lend aromatic and classic Italian herbal notes to the sauce.
• Olive Oil: Offers a fruity richness, essential for sautéing and enhancing sauce layers.
• Salt & Pepper: To taste, bringing everything together and balancing the flavors.

Variations for Spinach Ricotta Dumplings in Napoli Sauce

Feel free to get creative with this recipe! It’s easy to adjust according to your pantry staples, dietary preferences, or flavor cravings without losing the essence of this comforting dish.

• Mushroom Spinach Dumplings: Add finely chopped sautéed mushrooms to the dumpling mixture for a deeper umami flavor.
• Gluten-Free Version: Substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour or almond flour to keep things safe and delicious.
• Vegan Adaptation: Use tofu or cashew ricotta and a flax egg substitute along with vegan-friendly Napoli sauce.
• Cheese Variations: Swap parmesan for pecorino romano or add mozzarella into the sauce for extra creaminess.
• Spicy Napoli Sauce: Incorporate chili flakes or fresh chopped chili to the sauce if you prefer a little heat.

How to Make Spinach Ricotta Dumplings in Napoli Sauce

Step 1: Prepare the Spinach

Start by washing fresh spinach thoroughly and blanching it for just a couple of minutes until wilted. Drain it well and squeeze out excess moisture to avoid soggy dumplings.

Step 2: Mix the Dumpling Dough

In a large bowl, combine the squeezed spinach with ricotta, parmesan, eggs, and a touch of flour or breadcrumbs. Season lightly with salt and pepper, then mix until you get a soft but firm dough that can be shaped into dumplings.

Step 3: Shape the Dumplings

Using a spoon or your hands, form small, bite-sized dumplings. Try to keep them uniform in size so they cook evenly.

Step 4: Prepare Napoli Sauce

In a saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté finely chopped garlic and onion until fragrant. Add crushed San Marzano tomatoes along with chopped basil and oregano. Let the sauce simmer gently, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Cook the Dumplings

Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil. Drop the dumplings in batches and cook until they float to the surface, which usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes. Scoop them out carefully using a slotted spoon.

Step 6: Combine and Serve

Transfer the cooked dumplings to the saucepan with simmering Napoli sauce. Stir gently to coat them well, then let everything warm through together for a minute or two before serving.

Pro Tips for Making Spinach Ricotta Dumplings in Napoli Sauce

• Dry the Spinach Well: Squeeze as much water as possible after blanching to keep dumplings from falling apart.
• Consistent Dumpling Size: Try to shape dumplings uniform in size for even cooking and the best texture.
• Simmer the Sauce Slowly: Letting the Napoli sauce simmer allows the flavors to deepen and become more harmonious.
• Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh basil and oregano elevate the sauce far beyond dried options.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: Cooking dumplings in small batches prevents them from sticking and ensures gentle cooking.

How to Serve Spinach Ricotta Dumplings in Napoli Sauce

Garnishes

Adding a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and some torn fresh basil leaves on top can really brighten the dish and add eye-catching contrast.

Side Dishes

A crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette, garlic bread, or even roasted vegetables pair wonderfully alongside these dumplings to round out your meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the dumplings in shallow bowls with ladles of hot Napoli sauce, or plate them on a wooden board with fresh herbs scattered around for a rustic, inviting look. For a cozy dinner, pair with a glass of light Italian white wine or a refreshing sparkling water with lemon.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover dumplings and sauce in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Dumplings are best consumed within 2 to 3 days for freshness.

Freezing

If you want to freeze dumplings, arrange them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid before transferring into freezer bags. The sauce can be frozen separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.

Reheating

To reheat, simmer frozen sauce gently, then add thawed or fresh dumplings to warm through gently in the sauce or microwave in a covered dish until piping hot—be careful not to overheat to keep texture intact.

FAQs

Can I use frozen spinach for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen spinach but be sure to fully thaw and squeeze out all excess moisture—this is key to prevent soggy dumplings.

What kind of ricotta should I use?

Whole milk ricotta is best for creaminess and flavor, but part-skim can work if you want a lighter dish.

How long do Spinach Ricotta Dumplings in Napoli Sauce take to make?

From start to finish, expect about 45 minutes to an hour, including preparation, cooking, and sauce simmering.

Can these dumplings be baked instead of boiled?

Boiling is traditional and helps keep them soft, but you can bake dumplings with some sauce on top for a firmer texture and a slightly different taste profile.

Is the Napoli sauce suitable for freezing?

Absolutely! Homemade Napoli sauce freezes beautifully and retains its fresh tomato flavor after thawing.

Final Thoughts

Spinach Ricotta Dumplings in Napoli Sauce bring together the best of Italian home cooking with fresh, simple ingredients and delicious, comforting flavors. This recipe is approachable yet impressive, perfect whether you’re cooking for family or friends. Give it a try—you’ll soon understand why it’s become a personal favorite that I can’t wait to share with all of you!

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