Ricotta dumplings with napoli sauce
Ricotta dumplings with napoli sauce is a vegetarian Italian main course where soft homemade ricotta dumplings are served in a rich tomato-basil sauce. The Thermomix makes the ricotta from full cream milk and vinegar, grinds the Parmesan and blends the sauce to a silky consistency. Fresh basil and oregano give it a vibrant flavour.
About this recipe
Ricotta dumplings with napoli sauce on the Thermomix TM7 bring genuine Italian comfort food to your table with remarkably little effort. This recipe shows exactly why the all-in-one kitchen machine shines: you make fresh ricotta yourself by heating full cream milk with vinegar, then the same bowl grinds the Parmesan and bread for the dumpling mixture. The napoli sauce, built on onion, olive oil and tinned tomatoes, is simmered and blended to a silky consistency while the fresh basil and oregano release their aroma. These light, pillowy dumplings are an ideal vegetarian main course for a quick weeknight dinner, yet elegant enough for a weekend gathering with friends. Searching for ricotta dumpling recipes that skip the store-bought cheese entirely? This one delivers homemade ricotta, a vibrant tomato sauce and tender dumplings in a single guided workflow, with far less washing up than the traditional three-pot approach.
Preparation tips
- Let the homemade ricotta drain properly in a sieve lined with a clean cloth before mixing the dumplings; too much moisture makes the dumplings fall apart during cooking. Firm ricotta with the breadcrumbs and Parmesan gives a tender yet stable texture.
- Shape the dumplings with lightly moistened hands and keep them roughly equal in size so they cook evenly. Chill them briefly in the fridge while the napoli sauce simmers with the basil and oregano for a deeper flavour.
- Fresh basil is best stirred in at the very end so it keeps its bright colour and aroma. For a family-friendly version, grate extra Parmesan over the plates and serve with crusty bread to scoop up the tomato sauce.
Recipe variations
- Gluten-free version: replace the bread in the dumpling mixture with gluten-free breadcrumbs and serve the napoli sauce over polenta instead of pasta, keeping the same homemade ricotta, Parmesan and fresh basil.
- Festive variation: add lemon zest and a pinch of nutmeg to the ricotta mixture, then finish the sauce with a splash of cream and extra oregano for an elegant Christmas or dinner-party main course.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Precise heating - The Thermomix heats the full cream milk evenly so the vinegar curdles it into fresh ricotta without scorching. [Heating]. [Precision Control]
- Built-in weighing - Weigh the milk and vinegar directly into the mixing bowl of the Thermomix for consistent ricotta every single batch. [Weighing]. [Built-in Scale]
- Fine grating - The Thermomix grates the Parmesan cheese in seconds, melting it evenly through the soft dumpling mixture. [Grating]. [Multi-Function]
- Silky blending - The TM7 blends onion and tomatoes into a velvety napoli sauce with restaurant-quality smoothness. [Mixing]. [Multi-Function]
- Quick chopping - The Thermomix chops the onion and fresh herbs finely in seconds, releasing flavour into the sauce without tears. [Chopping]. [Multi-Function]
Ingredients
- full cream milk
- white vinegar
- bread
- Parmesan cheese
- lemon
- fresh basil
- fresh oregano
- sea salt
- olive oil
- brown onion