Pumpkin Gnocchi with Dragon's Breath Sauce

Elevate your dinner table with this soul-warming Pumpkin Gnocchi with Dragon's Breath Sauce, a show-stopping dish that's as fiery as it is comforting. Soft, pillowy gnocchi made from a blend of pumpkin puree, ricotta, and Parmesan come together effortlessly, offering a subtly sweet and savory base. The gnocchi is bathed in a rich, garlicky cream sauce infused with the smoky heat of paprika and crushed red pepper flakes—giving the sauce its "dragon's breath" name. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh basil and a dusting of Parmesan, this dish strikes the perfect balance between creamy, spicy, and aromatic. Ready in just one hour, it’s a sensational, restaurant-worthy meal designed to wow your taste buds. Whether you're looking to impress guests or simply indulge in a creative, flavor-packed dinner, this recipe will have you craving seconds! Perfect for fall menus and special occasions.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:40 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 0.75 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin puree, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, and nutmeg. Mix until smooth and well combined.

Step 2

Gradually add the flour to the mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.

Step 3

Lightly flour a clean surface and turn the dough out onto it. Divide the dough into four portions.

Step 4

Roll each portion into a long rope about 3/4 inch thick. Cut the ropes into 1-inch pieces to form gnocchi.

Step 5

Optionally, roll each gnocchi over the back of a fork to create ridges, which help the sauce cling to them.

Step 6

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Gently drop the gnocchi into the water in batches. Cook until they float to the surface, about 2-3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Step 7

To prepare the Dragon’s Breath sauce, heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 8

Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 9

Stir in heavy cream and smoked paprika. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 10

Add the cooked gnocchi to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Cook for 1-2 minutes to ensure the gnocchi is heated through.

Step 11

Sprinkle fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese on top as a garnish before serving.

Step 12

Serve immediately and enjoy the fiery yet creamy flavors of the dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1064.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2600.6

Total Fat 168.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 91.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.0g
Cholesterol 681.3mg	0%
Sodium 4391.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 178.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.9g	0%
Total Sugars 9.1g
Protein 93.5g	0%

Vitamin D 71.8IU	0%
Calcium 2246.5mg	0%
Iron 13.9mg	0%
Potassium 1119.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.2%

Protein: 14.4%

Carbs: 27.4%