What's the Difference Between Gnocchi and Gnudi? (2024)

Learning to tell these two traditional Italian dishes apart isn’t difficult — once you gno where they come from!

No, we’re not talking about two Mob families that have gone to the mattresses here but rather innocent dumplings from Northern Italy that if read off a menu too quickly could be mistaken for each other.

Gnocchi comes from theItalian wordnocca, meaning “knuckle,” and are small, thick dumplings made from potatoes, plus, principally, flour, eggs, and Parmesan (there is significant variation in recipes across Italian regions).

Gnudi, meanwhile, named for the Italian word nudi, meaning “naked,” substitutes ricotta for the potatoes, resulting in a typically lighter, more pillowy dish. In less romantic terms, gnudi can be thought of as nude ravioli, as the ingredients are quite similar to ravioli filling.

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The “g” is silent in both words; thus, gnocchi is pronounced “nyoh-kee,” while gnudi is pronounced “nyoo-dee” or simply “noo-dee.”

Next time you dine out, you will gno the difference!

What's the Difference Between Gnocchi and Gnudi? (2024)

FAQs

What's the Difference Between Gnocchi and Gnudi? ›

Gnudi are soft, creamy Italian pillows of ricotta and Parmesan cheese—they are similar to gnocchi but are made with little or no flour. The word gnudi means "naked"—that makes sense because they are like cheese ravioli without the pasta covering.

What does "gnudi" mean in Italian? ›

Gnudi is the Tuscan word for "naked" (in standard Italian nudi), the idea being that these "pillowy" balls of ricotta and spinach (sometimes without spinach, which is also known as ricotta gnocchi) are "nude ravioli", consisting of just the tasty filling without the pasta shell.

How is gnudi pronounced in Italian? ›

The “g” is silent in both words; thus, gnocchi is pronounced “nyoh-kee,” while gnudi is pronounced “nyoo-dee” or simply “noo-dee.”

What is the difference between gnocchi and noodi? ›

Gnudi are generally a bit larger than gnocchi and often made with less flour and therefore require an even more delicate hand. They're traditionally made plain, with just ricotta, or with ricotta and spinach.

Why did my gnudi fall apart? ›

Be cautious while cooking because gnudi can fall apart if there is not enough flour or semolina added. I usually make sure to test one rolled out ball before rolling the rest. Test just incase you need to add more ap flour or semolina. The amount of flour or semolina needed cannot be determined exactly.

What are Italian dumplings called? ›

Gnocchi, pronounced 'n(y)oh-kee' (singular 'gnocco'), are a type of pasta consisting of soft, fat and chewy dumplings, typically paired with ragú, tomato or butter sauce. Traditionally, gnocchi dough is made of semolina or plain wheat flour, egg, and mashed potato.

Can you reheat gnudi? ›

Make-Ahead: While they are best eaten immediately, you can make these up to 1 day ahead of time. Simply reheat right before serving. How to Reheat: Place them in a pot of boiling salted water and cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until hot. You can also cook on a microwave-safe plate until hot.

Are gnudi and gnocchi the same? ›

Gnudi are soft, creamy Italian pillows of ricotta and Parmesan cheese—they are similar to gnocchi but are made with little or no flour. The word gnudi means "naked"—that makes sense because they are like cheese ravioli without the pasta covering.

Is gnocchi more unhealthy than pasta? ›

Nutritional Value

Believe it or not, regular pasta is actually more carb-heavy than gnocchi, coming in at around 2 times the amount of carbs per serving. Gnocchi is also notorious for having a lot more sodium, with over 200 grams of it per serving. Regular pasta doesn't have nearly as high of a sodium content.

Is gnocchi good or bad for you? ›

Similar to pasta, gnocchi is high in carbohydrates and low in protein. Although both are carbohydrate-heavy foods, it has been shown that regular pasta may have less of an effect on blood sugar levels. One publication points to the fact that pasta doesn't raise blood sugar after a meal to the level that potatoes do.

What is gnudi made of? ›

For cooks without a restaurant to run, though, gnudi are a dream. They're extremely simple—just a mixture of ricotta and Parmesan formed into stubby dumplings, then coated with semolina flour. They hang out in the fridge until the moisture in the ricotta has fused with the semolina to form a delicate skin.

Why is my gnocchi not fluffy? ›

The gnocchi dough will still be a bit crumbly when you first mix the potatoes with the flour and eggs. You want the final dough to be soft, smooth, and a little sticky. For gnocchi with a fluffy texture, don't knead the dough past the point where the flour is fully incorporated into the potatoes.

Why is my gnocchi squishy? ›

Your gnocchi may be mushy because of any or all of the following reasons: boiled the potatoes instead of baked them. used waxy new potatoes with too much moisture in them. not used eggs to help texture.

What is a gumba in Italian girlfriend? ›

Goomah — Mistress or girlfriend. It comes from the Italian comare, which means godmother or second mother. In other words, someone who takes care of you. Goomba — Compatriot or fellow comrade.

What is the Italian name for pasta purses? ›

Sacchettoni (Italian: [sakketˈtoːni]) is a type of stuffed pasta also known as "beggar's purse".

What does Nyoki mean in Italian? ›

Gnocchi (pronounced nyo-kee) is the name for round dumplings made with flour and potatoes, or with semolina or yellow polenta flour. They are perhaps one of the most ancient homemade pastas made by cutting small pieces from the dough and cooking them in boiling water.

What does the word seppia mean in Italian? ›

Translation of seppia – Italian–English dictionary

cuttlefish [noun] a sea-creature like the squid, able to squirt an inky liquid.

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