Creamy Marinara with Gnocchi & Broccolini

Creamy Marinara with Gnocchi & Broccolini

Ingredients

For the Gnocchi:

  • 2 lbs Russet Potatoes, thoroughly washed and dried
  • 1 ½ cups All Purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 3 egg yolks
  • ¼ tsp Salt
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil, divided (1tbsp – 2tbsp)

For the Sauce:

  • 1 jar 24oz Rao’s Creamy Marinara with Mascarpone
  • 2 cups Broccolini, chopped into small pieces
  • 1 pint Grape Tomatoes, cut in halves
  • ¼ cup chopped Shallots
  • 1 ¼ cup fresh or frozen Peas, thawed
  • 2 tbsp chopped Italian Parsley
  •  3 tbsp shaved Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 12-15 each Arugula leaves, for garnish
  • 2 tbsp regular Olive Oil
  • 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided

Directions

For the Gnocchi:

  • Preheat the oven to 350F degrees.
  • Lightly rub the potatoes with 1 tbsp of olive oil.
  • Bake the potatoes in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes until they are “fork” tender.
  • Allow the potatoes to cool slightly before handling them. They need to be warm for the rest of the recipe.
  • Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, carefully peel the potatoes and add them to a large bowl.
  • Gently mash and fluff the baked potatoes. (A potato ricer or a food mill works best if you have one.)
  • Next, sprinkle in the flour and gently begin to fold the flour into the potatoes.
  • Add the egg yolks and salt and continue to knead the mixture until a soft dough is formed.
  • Form the dough into a large ball. Then, divide the ball into 4 equally sized pieces.
  • Working on a floured surface, roll the pieces into long rope shapes that are approximately 2 inches.
  • Cut the ropes into 2-inch pieces.  Set aside.
  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Cook the gnocchi until they float, carefully remove the cooked gnocchi from the boiling water using a strainer or slotted spoon.

For the Sauce:

  • Working in a large skillet, set over medium high heat, add the Olive oil and heat until it begins to shimmer.
  • Add the shallots and broccolini and sauté until the shallots are translucent and the broccolini begins to turn bright green and begin to soften slightly.
  • Now, add the blanched gnocchi and continue to sauté until the begin to brown.
  • Next, add the Rao’s Creamy Marinara with Mascarpone, along with the grape tomato halves, and reduce the heat to medium low. Warm the sauce through.
  • Now, add the peas and the chopped Italian parsley. and stir to combine.
  • Finally, either divide the gnocchi among 4 serving plates or one large platter, and garnish with the Arugula leaves, Parmesan Reggiano and then drizzle with the Rao’s Limited Reserve Extra Virgin Olive Oil.