Malloreddus with vegetables, sausage and saffron
- Easy
- 40 min
Soft, creamy texture with a golden saffron hue makes traditional potato gnocchi with prosciutto and saffron sauce an easy family favorite. This dish brings together the familiar comfort of Italian classics, but that touch of saffron and savory ham recipes gives it a unique twist home cooks notice right away. The aroma just says family dinner, while each bite surprises with rich, velvety goodness—nothing fussy, just that good Italian flavor everyone craves when dinnertime rolls around. Bright saffron color looks impressive on the table, turning weeknights and gatherings into something special. While the saffron sauce brings aromatic flavor, the soft potato gnocchi and tender prosciutto keep it all tasty and crowd-pleasing. Families like how even picky eaters dig in, since every bite is a mix of comforting flavor and a moist, cheesy finish. Great for busy weekdays but also feels fancy enough for weekend dinners or celebrations (kids tend to go back for seconds—no surprise!).
Busy families appreciate how these easy Italian recipes work for all kinds of meals, from dinner for two to feeding a bigger family. Relatives drop by on short notice...there’s a dish ready that’s both simple and really satisfying. Leftovers keep pretty well, so busy schedules or second-day lunches benefit from these rich, cheesy flavors as well. Serve Gnocchetti with Ham and Saffron by itself, or add a nice green salad and maybe some crusty bread—either way, it’s DELICIOUS and always gets positive comments. Sometimes, families sprinkle fresh cheese or herbs on top for a little extra yum. For home bakers and home cooks alike, gnocchi recipes like this combine versatility, great taste, and confidence that the meal will turn out nice every time. It’s one of those meals you can count on—easygoing, family-friendly, and ready to turn any meal into something a little more memorable while hitting those classic Italian cravings.
To prepare the gnocchetti with ham and saffron, sift the all-purpose flour in a large bowl 1, add the breadcrumbs 2, the eggs and the two yolks 3.
Cut the cooked ham into small pieces 4 and add it to the bowl 5, then add the grated Grana Padano cheese 6,
the milk 7, nutmeg 8, and a pinch of salt. Work the dough inside the bowl with your hands 9,
until you get a smooth and homogeneous mixture 10. Form a loaf, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least one hour 11. After the indicated time, take the dough out of the fridge and work it to obtain "sausages" not too thick, then cut them into pieces about 3/4 inch 12
and pass them over the special ridged wooden board 13 (or the tines of a fork) to form the characteristic grooves of the gnocchi and the indentation underneath, which will help better collect the sauce. When all the gnocchi are ready, place them on a floured tray and proceed to prepare the sauce. In a large pan, melt the butter 14, then add the very finely chopped onion and let it wilt for about 15 minutes over very low heat, until it becomes translucent but not colored 15.
At this point, add the fresh cream 16, the saffron powder 17, salt, and ground white pepper. Mix everything well and let it thicken slightly over low heat. Meanwhile, cook the gnocchetti, one portion at a time, in plenty of boiling salted water until they come to the surface 18,
then remove them from the pot using a slotted spoon 19 and add them to the sauce 20: sauté them for a few seconds, then turn off the heat. At this point, add the grated cheese and chopped parsley 21. Mix everything well, plate, decorate with some saffron strands, and serve the gnocchetti with ham and saffron hot.