Millionaire Gnocchi with Red Sauce, Herbed Ricotta, and Golden Crispies Recipe
A hearty and delicious Millionaire Gnocchi recipe featuring tender browned beef, a rich red tomato sauce simmered with herbs, creamy herbed ricotta, and perfectly cooked gnocchi topped with crispy golden bits for texture. This comforting Italian-inspired dish is perfect for a family dinner and brings together layers of flavor with a satisfying balance of creamy and savory elements.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Meat and Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1-2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, minced
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- one 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and red pepper flakes to taste
Herbed Ricotta
- 6-8 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 small clove garlic, grated
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Salt to taste
- Minced herbs to taste (chives, parsley, and/or thyme)
Gnocchi
- Two 16-ounce packages pre-cooked gnocchi
Instructions
- Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over high heat and add the ground beef. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until well-browned and fully cooked through. Remove the beef from the pan. You may drain excess grease or keep it for extra flavor.
- Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add olive oil, minced onion, and garlic to the pan. Sauté until fragrant, about a few minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes and dried oregano. Add the browned beef back to the pan and let the mixture simmer gently over low heat for 30-45 minutes. Season with salt and red pepper flakes to taste.
- Make the herbed ricotta: While the sauce simmers, combine ricotta cheese, grated garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and your choice of minced herbs in a small dish. Mix well and adjust seasoning according to taste.
- Cook the gnocchi: Prepare the gnocchi following package instructions, typically boiling them in salted water until they float to the surface. Drain the gnocchi, then add them to the pan with the simmering sauce. Allow everything to cook together over low heat until the sauce bubbles and coats the gnocchi thoroughly.
- Serve: Plate the hot gnocchi with a generous spoonful of herbed ricotta on top. Garnish with golden crispies from the skillet for extra texture and flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Keep the beef fat if you want more flavor in the sauce; otherwise, drain it off.
- The simmer time for the sauce can be extended for deeper flavor if desired.
- You can customize the herbs in the ricotta to your preference.
- Use pre-cooked gnocchi for ease, but fresh gnocchi can be substituted for a different texture.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes for spice according to taste.
