Gnocchi al Pomodoro is a fun and pillowy gnocchi on a bed of tomato sauce. Topped with crispy cured ham, shaved parmesan and arugula to bring a nice crunch. A mouthful of flavours and textures!


This Gnocchi al Pomodoro recipe is so easy, fast and too good tasting for the time and preparation it needs. It’s not a traditional “Italian” dish, per se but a personal experiment. It’s a dish filled with textures, in one bite you’ll get a smooth gnocchi, tangy tomato sauce and a crunchy ham or fresh arugula. A Romantic dish, with all those textures and colours going, perfect for Valentine’s day.

Is Gnocchi Pasta?

Gnocchi al Pomodoro

Let’s talk gnocchi for a sec… They look like pasta and come with a sauce like pasta but they are not per se the usual semolina pasta… they are potato dumplings. First of all, I chose pre-made gnocchis from the market, if you want to make your own check out this recipe from an Italian guy (here) which explains from a to z.

Technique

Another big difference is the way you cook the gnocchis, you should not add any salt to the boiling water like with pasta. The starch from the potato would come out and make them sticky, we don’t want that, we want our gnocchis fluffy not sticky. Gnocchi should be dropped in the boiling water and then as soon as they float up, pick them up with a slotted spoon. This doesn’t take long, about 3 minutes. There is no “al dente” rule when we talk gnocchis, just a drop-and-pick-up rule.

Textured toppings

Gnocchi al Pomodoro

A true Italian would always say: the simpler the better. But this is not my philosophy, I like having textures on a plate. Crispy cured ham; is my favourite addition to a soft meal! I’ve learned this trick in culinary school and no it’s not destroying the delicious ham already processed, it just enhances it. It somehow forces the residual water, and some extra fat out and makes the ham ultra salty and crisp. It’s not cooking long enough to deteriorate anything. It’s mainly a texture thing.

Crunch factor

Gnocchi al Pomodoro

For example, this smooth gnocchi on a smooth tomato sauce needs a touch of crunch to make it exciting, don’t you think? The arugula has a fresh crunch, contrasting colour and the crispy cured ham brings the extra salt and crispiness. The parmesan brings the umami flavour. A perfect mix of textures and flavours!

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Gnocchi al Pomodoro with extra crunch

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 2 people
Calories 528
Gnocchi al Pomodoro is a fun and pillowy gnocchi on a bed of tomato sauce. Topped with crispy cured ham, shaved parmesan and arugula to bring a nice crunch. A mouthful of flavours and textures!

Ingredients

  • 500 g gnocchi
  • 400 g Pomodoro sauce
  • 70 g cured ham (proscuitto, serrano, etc.)
  • arugula (to taste)
  • parmesan (to taste)

Instructions 

  • Start by making the crisp cured ham; add them on a baking sheet at 180°C (350F) for about 3-4 minutes or until crisp.
  • Warm up the sauce, add to plates.
  • Add the gnocchi in a big pot of boiling water (unsalted) and pick them up with a slotted spoon once they float.
  • Add the gnocchi over the tomato sauce, break a few crisp cured ham on top, arugula and shave a few parmesan pieces with the peeler.
Author: Marie Breton
Calories: 528kcal
Course: Plato principal
Cuisine: Italiana
Keyword: arugula, cured ham, gnocchis, pasta, pomodoro

Nutrition

Calories: 528kcal | Carbohydrates: 99g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 2483mg | Potassium: 594mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 866IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 11mg
Nutrition Facts
Gnocchi al Pomodoro with extra crunch
Amount per Serving
Calories
528
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
6
g
9
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0.1
g
Cholesterol
 
19
mg
6
%
Sodium
 
2483
mg
108
%
Potassium
 
594
mg
17
%
Carbohydrates
 
99
g
33
%
Fiber
 
9
g
38
%
Sugar
 
7
g
8
%
Protein
 
23
g
46
%
Vitamin A
 
866
IU
17
%
Vitamin C
 
14
mg
17
%
Calcium
 
78
mg
8
%
Iron
 
11
mg
61
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

8 Comments

  1. What a beautiful and easy Valentine’s Day meal. My husband loves gnocchi so this would be perfect to make for the special occasion.

  2. sugarlovespices Reply

    Gnocchi are always a good choice and with that sauce…oh yum!

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