If you’re craving something comforting, flavorful, and a little different from your usual pasta, let me introduce you to Malfatti. These little Italian dumplings are like soft, pillowy clouds of spinach and ricotta cheese, dressed in a rich, savory sauce that’ll make your taste buds sing. The name “malfatti” literally means “badly made,” but trust me, there’s nothing bad about these tender dumplings. They’re rustic, delicious, and perfect for cozy dinners. You’re going to love how simple yet satisfying they are—get ready to indulge in a little slice of Italian comfort food!
Why You’ll Love Malfatti
This recipe isn’t just about the ingredients it’s about creating moments. Whether you’re looking for a hearty meal for the family or a dish to impress at a dinner party, Malfatti is your go-to. Here’s why it’s a favorite:
Versatile: Serve it as a main dish or as a hearty appetizer. You can even switch up the sauce to match your mood.
Budget-Friendly: Made with affordable ingredients like spinach, ricotta, and flour, this dish is easy on the wallet but packs so much flavor.
Quick and Easy: In just 30 minutes, you’ll have tender, homemade dumplings ready to serve.
Customizable: Add your favorite herbs or a different cheese to the mix—Malfatti is all about making it your own.
Crowd-Pleasing: This dish is the ultimate comfort food—soft, savory, and full of flavor. Everyone at the table will be reaching for more.
Ingredients in Malfatti
Here’s what you need for these delicious dumplings:
Spinach: Fresh spinach is the heart of this dish, adding flavor and a lovely green hue. Wilt it down to pack in all the nutrients and make the Malfatti nice and tender.
Ricotta Cheese: Soft and creamy, this cheese gives the dumplings their melt-in-your-mouth texture. It also balances out the spinach perfectly.
Flour: Just a bit of flour to hold everything together and form the dumplings.
Eggs: Helps bind everything together and gives the dumplings their smooth texture.
Parmesan Cheese: A little sprinkle for extra flavor and richness.
Nutmeg: Just a pinch brings warmth and depth to the dish—trust me, you’ll notice it!
Salt & Pepper: To taste, ensuring the Malfatti is perfectly seasoned.
Butter and Sage (for the sauce): The classic combo for a simple yet heavenly sauce that coats each dumpling.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create these comforting Malfatti dumplings:
Prepare the Spinach: Start by washing the spinach thoroughly. Then, cook it in a large pan with a little olive oil until wilted. Once it’s cooled, squeeze out the excess water and chop it finely.
Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the spinach, ricotta, eggs, Parmesan, flour, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is well combined, but be careful not to overwork it—just a gentle stir will do.
Shape the Dumplings: Scoop spoonfuls of the mixture and roll them gently into small dumplings, about the size of a golf ball. Be delicate—these should be soft and light.
Cook the Malfatti: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Gently drop the Malfatti into the water, and cook until they float to the top, about 3–4 minutes. Don’t overcrowd the pot—cook in batches if necessary.
Make the Sauce: While the Malfatti are cooking, melt some butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sage leaves and cook until the butter is golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Serve the Malfatti: Once the dumplings are done, use a slotted spoon to transfer them into the pan with the butter and sage sauce. Gently toss to coat the Malfatti in the sauce.
Finishing Touches: Garnish with a little extra Parmesan and a dash of freshly cracked black pepper.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve hot and enjoy every bite of these pillowy, savory dumplings. They’re perfect on their own or paired with a simple side salad or crusty bread.
Nutrition Facts:
Servings: 4
Calories per serving: 350
(put them as notes)
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
How to Serve Malfatti
Malfatti is perfect on its own or paired with a light side. Here are some ideas to elevate your meal:
- Serve it with a simple green salad and a glass of white wine for a complete meal.
- For extra heartiness, pair it with roasted vegetables or a crusty loaf of garlic bread.
- You can also add a dollop of tomato sauce or a drizzle of balsamic reduction for a twist!
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of this recipe:
- If your dough is too sticky, just add a little more flour until it holds together easily.
- Malfatti can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a day or two—just cook them when you’re ready to serve.
- For an extra rich sauce, add a splash of cream to the butter and sage mixture.
- Don’t skip the sage—it’s the secret ingredient that gives this dish its distinctive flavor.
- Feel free to switch up the cheese—parmesan is classic, but you could use Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
FAQs
1 Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen spinach works fine—just be sure to thaw and squeeze out the excess water before using it.
2 Can I make these in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the Malfatti and refrigerate them. Just cook them in batches when you’re ready to serve.
3 Can I freeze Malfatti?
Yes, freeze them after shaping but before cooking. When you’re ready, drop them straight into boiling water from the freezer.
4 What’s the best sauce to serve with Malfatti?
A simple butter and sage sauce is traditional, but you can also use marinara, pesto, or brown butter.
5 Can I add meat to the Malfatti mixture?
While the traditional recipe is vegetarian, you can add cooked ground meat, such as sausage or beef, if you like.
6 How do I know when the Malfatti are cooked?
Once they float to the top of the water, they’re ready! Give them a couple of extra minutes if you want a firmer texture.
7 Can I use a different cheese besides ricotta?
Ricotta is the key ingredient, but you could add some mascarpone or cottage cheese for a different flavor.
8 Can I make the dough the night before?
Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and store it in the fridge for a day or two. Just shape and cook the dumplings when you’re ready.
9 Are Malfatti gluten-free?
No, this recipe contains flour. However, you can try using a gluten-free flour blend as a substitute.
10 How do I store leftovers?
Store leftover Malfatti in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a pan with a little butter or sauce.
Conclusion
Malfatti is the ultimate Italian comfort food—soft, tender dumplings wrapped in delicious flavor. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or craving a cozy solo meal, this dish will hit the spot every time. The simple yet rich flavors make it the perfect addition to your recipe collection. Enjoy every bite, and savor the comforting goodness of Malfatti!
Print
Malfatti
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Malfatti, meaning ‘badly made’ in Italian, are rustic spinach and ricotta dumplings that are tender, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make. They’re often served with a simple tomato sauce or browned butter and sage.
Ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup cooked spinach, squeezed dry and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
- 2 tablespoons butter (for serving)
- 6 fresh sage leaves (optional, for serving)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, chopped spinach, Parmesan, egg, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- Add flour and gently mix until the dough holds together. Avoid overmixing.
- Dust a work surface with flour. Roll the dough into small logs and cut into bite-sized pieces or form into small dumplings by hand.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a simmer (not a full boil). Carefully drop in the malfatti in batches.
- Cook until they float to the top, about 3–4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon.
- In a pan, melt butter and add sage leaves (if using). Cook until butter is golden and fragrant.
- Serve the malfatti with the browned butter and sage or your favorite tomato sauce. Garnish with extra Parmesan.
Notes
- Make sure the spinach is thoroughly squeezed dry to avoid watery dough.
- Use fresh ricotta for best texture.
- Can be frozen before cooking and boiled straight from frozen.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 85mg