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Walnut Sauce (Salsa di Noci): An Italian Flavour Bomb for Pasta and Gnocchi Recipe

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4.2 from 10 reviews

Walnut Sauce, or Salsa di Noci, is a classic Italian sauce that delivers an intense burst of rich, nutty flavor. Perfectly creamy and smooth, this versatile sauce pairs beautifully with pasta, gnocchi, or as a comforting, simple meal base. Combining walnuts, parmesan, garlic, and a touch of milk and olive oil, it creates a luscious, flavorful experience that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.

Ingredients

Walnut Sauce Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups walnuts (150g)
  • ¾ cup milk (150ml)
  • 1 slice white bread
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 cup parmesan, freshly grated (50g)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Soak Bread: Cut the crusts off the white bread and place the bread in a bowl with the milk, allowing it to soak for a few seconds to soften.
  2. Combine Ingredients: Place the walnuts, garlic, grated parmesan, olive oil, and the soaked bread with milk into a food processor.
  3. Blend Sauce: Blitz the mixture until it becomes thick yet smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more milk to reach the desired consistency.
  4. Prepare Pasta (Optional): If serving with pasta or gnocchi, reserve 1 cup (240ml) of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
  5. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Return the drained pasta to the pot, add the desired amount of walnut sauce, and loosen the sauce by adding some reserved pasta water while tossing to coat evenly. Use only as much pasta water as needed.
  6. Serve and Garnish: Serve immediately, optionally topped with extra chopped walnuts and fresh parsley for added crunch and freshness.

Notes

  • You can make this sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap.
  • If the sauce is too thick, add more milk gradually to achieve the preferred consistency.
  • Reserving pasta water when serving over pasta or gnocchi helps loosen the sauce and adds flavor without diluting it with extra milk.
  • Topping the dish with extra chopped walnuts adds a satisfying crunch.
  • Fresh parsley is an excellent garnish to enhance freshness and color.

Find it online: https://yumntasty.com/walnut-sauce-salsa-di-noci-an-italian-flavour-bomb-for-pasta-and-gnocchi-recipe/