Ricotta Dumplings with Italian Meatballs

Pinterest strikes again! I saw this recipe for Ricotta Dumplings from 'The Kitchn' and just had to try it. As a pasta addict I thought this looked a lot like gnocchi and couldn't wait to find a way to make this a main meal for me! I couldn't imagine eating just the dumplings though and I thought to myself how wonderful they would be with my Italian Meatballs and a simple Veggie Spaghetti Sauce. Well wouldn't ya know I was right...they are wonderful and they go great with my meatballs and sauce!



Ricotta Dumplings with Italian Meatballs: Serves 4

1 Batch Italian Meatballs
2 Eggs
1/2C Part Skim Ricotta Cheese
1-1/2C Flour
3/4tsp Salt
1/4tsp Cracked Black Pepper
2 Carrots - Shredded
1/2 Onion - Minced
1 Bell Pepper - Minced
2 Garlic Cloves - Minced
1tsp Olive Oil
3C Tomato Sauce
1/4tsp Garlic Powder
1/4tsp Onion Powder
1/2tsp Dried Basil
1/2tsp Dried Parsley
Salt & Pepper

In a sauce pot heat up olive oil over medium heat and add the carrots, onion, bell pepper and garlic with some salt and pepper. Heat for 6-8 minutes until tender then add the tomato sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, parsley and some salt and pepper. Stir and bring up to a light simmer, cover and continue to cook until the rest of the meal is done.

Make the meatballs and once browned put to the side.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. While the water is heating up we can prepare the dumplings. In a mixing bowl mix the eggs and ricotta together, add the salt and black pepper then mix in the flour. You may want to do this with a mixer or you can use the method I used - your hands to incorporate all of the flour into the mix. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll it out to 1/2" thickness and cut into small 1" squares. By now the water should be boiling, carefully drop the dumplings into the water, give them a stir and cook for 3-4 minutes until they float to the surface and are cooked through.

Drain and toss with the meatballs and sauce, serve and enjoy!

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WW: 11 Points Plus / serving (6 PP per serving without the sauce & meatballs - remember you can mix these with whatever you want, or have a double serving of dumplings as a meal in itself!)