Gnocchi with tomato and burrata
- Difficulty: Average
- Prep time: 60 min
- Cook time: 1 h 15 min
- Serving: 4
Listen to the recipe
PRESENTATION
Gnocchi with tomato and burrata is one of those dishes that just feels special every time it hits the table—even though, you know, it's really pretty simple. In Campania, where this all started, folks make gnocchi by hand with just potatoes, flour, and a bit of skill. And the gnocchi? It’s so so tender when done right. The magic kicks in when you toss those soft dumplings in a classic tomato sauce. Really good stuff. They soak up all that tangy flavor. A dollop of fresh burrata on top? Perfect. It adds that creamy touch, setting it apart from the more traditional versions like the ones alla sorrentina. Every piece of gnocchi is coated in sauce, and that first bite with melty cheese—seriously, it’s hard to beat. It's Italian comfort food at its finest, feeling like a celebration every single time.
In Southern Italy, they say you really, really gotta use the ripest tomatoes and freshest burrata. The end result? Moist and golden, which is what everyone's after. Plus, the best part about this creamy tomato gnocchi is how much it leans on the quality of the ingredients—no fancy tricks, just good stuff done right. You'll find different versions, like gnocchi alla parmigiana or alla sorrentina, but this one has that layer of silky burrata. Makes it stand out. When you need a quick gnocchi dinner that still feels a bit special, this is the go-to. It is perfect for weeknight dinner ideas that don’t take forever but taste like you spent all day. If you’re up for trying homemade gnocchi with burrata, you’ll get a taste of the region, and see why folks in Campania love their gnocchi. Serve it hot, with the cheese still creamy, and you’ve got a meal everyone will talk about long after it's done. For sure. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy Southern Italian life right at your table.
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INGREDIENTS
- For the Gnocchi
- Red potatoes 2.2 lbs (1 kg)
- Type 00 flour 2 ½ cups (300 g)
- Eggs 1
- Remilled durum wheat semolina to taste
- Fine salt to taste
- For the Sauce
- Canned tomatoes 14 oz (400 g) - fine
- Burrata cheese 3.5 oz (100 g)
- White onions 2 oz (50 g)
- Basil to taste
- Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese 1.8 oz (50 g)
- Fine salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Extra virgin olive oil to taste
How to prepare Gnocchi with tomato and burrata
To make the gnocchi with tomato and burrata, start with the gnocchi dough: boil the potatoes in water for 30-40 minutes from the boil 1, depending on their size; perform the fork test and if the tines pass through easily you can drain them. Mash the potatoes while they are still hot 2; there is no need to peel them because the skins will remain in the potato ricer. Transfer the purée to the work surface and salt 3.
Add the lightly beaten egg 4 and the flour 5. Knead everything with your hands until you obtain a soft but compact dough 6. Remember that if you overwork it the gnocchi will become tough during cooking, so knead only as long as necessary.
Take a portion of the dough and shape it with your fingertips into ropes about 3/4 inch thick 7. Meanwhile, cover the remaining dough with a cloth to prevent it from drying out. Cut the ropes into pieces about 3/4 inch long 8 and roll them over a gnocchi board (rigagnocchi), dusting them with semolina flour 9. If you don't have a gnocchi board you can use a fork and drag them across the tines; in that case, also use semolina flour to prevent them from sticking.
As you prepare the potato gnocchi, arrange them on a tray lined with a lightly floured cloth, spaced well apart from each other 10. Prepare the sauce: clean and chop the onion 11, then sweat it in extra virgin olive oil with a pinch of salt for about ten minutes over low heat 12.
Add the finely crushed tomato pulp 13 and cook for about 30-40 minutes over medium-low heat without a lid. At the end of cooking, adjust the salt 15.
Cook the gnocchi in salted boiling water 16 and remove them with a skimmer as soon as they float, then toss them directly into the pan with the sauce 17, stir and add a ladle of the cooking water if necessary 18.
Turn off the heat, add grated Parmigiano Reggiano 19 and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil 20, then mix 21.
Serve onto plates 22 with the burrata, fresh basil 23 and a grind of pepper to taste. The tomato gnocchi are ready to be served 24.