Cottage Cheese Gnudi with Marinara Sauce (Excessive Protein)

Cottage cheese gnudi are smooth, pillowy dumplings—like the country cousin of gnocchi—made with cottage cheese as an alternative of the normal ricotta for further protein. “Gnudi” means “nude” in Italian, referring to how these are basically ravioli filling with out the pasta.

Cottage Cheese Gnudi

Historically made with ricotta, gnudi are smooth, delicate dumplings that style like the within of ravioli, minus the pasta. On this model, I exploit cottage cheese for a high-protein, budget-friendly swap that also delivers on taste and texture. The dumplings are gently simmered till tender, then tossed together with your favourite sauce.
I went with marinara, however they’re simply nearly as good with brown butter and sage or a easy drizzle of olive oil. Serve them as a vegetarian fundamental or a hearty aspect together with your go-to protein.

Why This Recipe Works

If you happen to’ve been round for some time, you know the way a lot I like utilizing cottage cheese to add protein to my recipes, like my cottage cheese bagels, cottage cheese lasagna, and cottage cheese frittata. Swapping ricotta for cottage cheese
labored out so nicely on this gnudi recipe that I didn’t inform Tommy at first. Fortunately, he liked them, even after I advised him.

• Excessive-Protein: In comparison with ricotta, cottage cheese gives extra protein and is commonly extra inexpensive with out compromising on its creamy, melt-in- your-mouth texture.
• Easy Components: With just some pantry staples, you get a dish that feels fancy however is simple sufficient for a weeknight.
• Versatile & Meal-Prep Pleasant: These gnudi pair nicely with quite a lot of sauces, reheat fantastically, and may even be frozen for later.
• Child-Accepted Consolation Meals: Comfortable, tacky, and sauce-friendly—my children liked them (and yours may, too!).
• Dietary Restrictions: Weight Watchers-friendly, vegetarian, gluten-free (if utilizing GF flour), high-protein

What’s the distinction between gnudi and gnocchi?

Gnocchi are smooth dumplings constituted of potatoes, eggs, and flour. The gnocchi dough is shaped right into a rope after which lower into one-inch items. I’ve a number of variations on my web site, together with classic potato gnocchi with hen in a roasted purple pepper sauce, zucchini gnocchi, and cauliflower gnocchi.

Conventional gnudi, which interprets to “naked” in Italian, mimics the filling of cheese ravioli. It’s often made with ricotta cheese and flour, however I like the way it turned out with cottage cheese for a protein increase.

Tips on how to Make Cottage Cheese Gnudi

Right here’s a step-by-step information for how one can make this simple cottage cheese gnudi recipe at dwelling. See the recipe card on the backside for printable instructions.

1. Make the Gnudi Dough: Mix the cottage cheese in a small meals processor or blender till clean, in order that it resembles the smoothness of ricotta. Switch it to a bowl and stir within the parmesan, egg yolk, salt,
   pepper, and nutmeg. Combine in ¾ cup of flour. The dough shall be sticky, but when it’s not holding collectively, add extra flour, 1 tablespoon at a time.
2. Type the Gnudi: Coat your palms with flour earlier than forming about 36 small gnudi. Place them on a calmly floured rimmed baking sheet (or line it with parchment paper). When completed, refrigerate the tray for half-hour (Chilling them will assist them maintain their form so that they don’t disintegrate within the
   water.)
3. Whereas the gnudi chill, put together the marinara (or warmth the jarred sauce on the range) and produce a big pot of salted water to a boil.
4. Prepare dinner the gnudi within the boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes till they float to the highest. Utilizing a slotted spoon, take away the gnudi from the water and add them to the sauce.

Variations

• Cheese: Swap parmesan with Pecorino Romano.
• Ricotta: You may, in fact, exchange cottage cheese with ricotta. If you happen to do, skip the blender step.
• Gluten-free Gnudi: Substitute AP flour with 1:1 gluten-free flour, like Cup4Cup.

What’s one of the best sauce for cottage cheese gnudi?

Any pasta sauce—not simply marinara—would work. Listed here are a few of my favorites:

Serving Strategies

• Preserve It Easy: Pair this high-protein gnudi with a green salad and an excellent piece of crusty bread for a hearty vegetarian meal.
• Enhance the Protein: Add diced chicken breasts or shrimp to the marinara to make it much more filling. This recipe requires loads of sauce, so that you’ll have further to coat the protein. Nevertheless, in case you are consuming the gnudi by itself, you can also make much less sauce.
• As a Facet Dish: Serve these Air Fryer Pork Chops or Broiled Tilapia Fillets as the principle course with the gnudi on the aspect.

Meal Prep Ideas

• Make Forward: Cowl the tray and refrigerate as much as 24 hours earlier than cooking.
• Tips on how to Freeze Uncooked Gnudi: Place them on a parchment-lined sheet pan and flash freeze. As soon as frozen, switch the gnudi to an hermetic container or zip-locked bag and freeze for 3 months. To cook dinner, boil the frozen gnudi for an additional minute.

Storage

• Refrigerate the leftovers for as much as 4 days. Heat in a skillet on the range or within the microwave.
• Tips on how to Freeze Cooked Gnudi: Freeze the gnudi and sauce in individual- serving containers for 3 months.
• Reheating: Thaw in a single day within the fridge and reheat within the microwave or on the range.

Extra Cottage Cheese Recipes You’ll Love

For extra dinner ideas utilizing cottage cheese, try these 5 scrumptious cottage cheese recipes to encourage your subsequent meal!

If you happen to make this wholesome cottage cheese gnudi recipe, I’d like to see it. Tag me in your photographs or movies on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook! And make sure to be part of the Skinnytaste Community to see what everybody’s cooking!