Gnocchi Bolognese

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Comfort Food at Its Best: The combination of soft gnocchi and hearty meat sauce creates a dish that’s both comforting and indulgent.

2. Flavorful and Savory: The Bolognese sauce is infused with aromatic herbs, and tomatoes, delivering a depth of flavor in every bite.

3. Easy to Prepare: With straightforward steps and accessible ingredients, this recipe is suitable for both novice and experienced cooks.

4. Versatile: You can customize the dish by adding vegetables or adjusting the seasoning to your preference.

5. Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special gathering, Gnocchi Bolognese is sure to impress.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 medium onion, finely diced

• 1 medium carrot, finely diced

• 2 celery stalks, finely diced

• 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 1 lb (500 g) lean ground beef

• ½ cup (100 ml) vegetable broth (or chicken broth)

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped

• ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)

• 2 cans (14 oz / 400 g each) crushed tomatoes

• 1 cup (250 ml) beef stock

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 ½ lb (900 g) gnocchi

• ⅓ cup (30 g) grated Parmesan

• 6-8 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Prepare the Sauce:

   • Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery, cooking for 8-10 minutes until softened.

   • Add the chopped garlic and cook for another minute.

   • Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 5-6 minutes until browned.

   • Pour in the vegetable broth, allowing it to cook for 1-2 minutes.

   • Stir in the tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, and red chili flakes (if using).

   • Add the crushed tomatoes, beef stock, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it cook uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Cook the Gnocchi:

   • While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook according to the package instructions, typically until they float to the surface.

   • Drain the gnocchi, reserving a small amount of cooking water.

3. Combine and Serve:

   • Add the cooked gnocchi to the Bolognese sauce, tossing gently to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved gnocchi water to reach the desired consistency.

   • Stir in the grated Parmesan and chopped basil. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

   • Serve the dish hot, garnished with additional Parmesan and basil if desired.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 6

• Preparation Time: 5 minutes

• Cooking Time: 45 minutes

• Total Time: 50 minutes

Variations

• Vegetarian Option: Replace the ground beef with lentils or a plant-based meat substitute for a vegetarian version.

• Spicy Kick: Increase the amount of red chili flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to the Bolognese sauce for extra heat.

• Herb Variations: Experiment with different herbs such as oregano or bay leaves to customize the flavor profile.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store any leftover Gnocchi Bolognese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened.

• Freezing: While the Bolognese sauce can be frozen, it’s recommended to freeze the Bolognese sauce separately from the gnocchi, as the texture of the gnocchi may change upon freezing and reheating.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought gnocchi for this recipe?

Yes, store-bought gnocchi works perfectly fine. Fresh gnocchi from the refrigerated section is recommended for the best texture.

How can I make this dish spicier?

Increase the amount of red chili flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to the Bolognese sauce to enhance the heat.

Can I prepare the Bolognese sauce in advance?

Absolutely. The Bolognese sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat before serving.

Is this dish suitable for freezing?

While the Bolognese sauce can be frozen, it’s best to freeze it separately from the gnocchi, as the texture of the gnocchi may change upon freezing and reheating.

Conclusion

Gnocchi Bolognese is the perfect dish for those who crave hearty, flavorful comfort food. With its rich and savory Bolognese sauce paired with soft, pillowy gnocchi, this recipe brings Italian flavors to your table in an easy-to-make, satisfying dish. Whether you’re preparing it for a family dinner or a special occasion, Gnocchi Bolognese is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Try it today and enjoy a warm, comforting meal that everyone will love!

Gnocchi Bolognese

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• Author: Chef Sara
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Gnocchi Bolognese combines tender, pillowy gnocchi with a rich, savory Bolognese sauce made with aromatic herbs, ground beef, and tomatoes. This comforting dish offers a perfect balance of flavors, making it an ideal meal for cozy evenings or special occasions.

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Ingredients

For the Bolognese Sauce:

1 tbsp olive oil

1 medium onion, finely diced

1 medium carrot, finely diced

2 celery stalks, finely diced

2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 lb (500 g) lean ground beef

½ cup (100 ml) vegetable broth (or chicken broth)

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped

1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped

¼ tsp red chili flakes (optional)

2 cans (14 oz / 400 g each) crushed tomatoes

1 cup (250 ml) beef stock

2 bay leaves

For the Gnocchi:

1 ½ lb (900 g) gnocchi

For the Topping:

⅓ cup (30 g) grated Parmesan

6–8 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

• Prepare the Sauce:

  • Heat the Oil: Heat olive oil in a large, deep pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, and celery, and cook for 8–10 minutes until softened.

  • Add Garlic: Stir in chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute.

  • Cook Beef: Add ground beef to the pan, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 5–6 minutes until browned.

  • Add Broth & Tomato Paste: Pour in vegetable broth and cook for 1–2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, and red chili flakes (if using).

  • Add Tomatoes & Stock: Add crushed tomatoes, beef stock, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

• Cook the Gnocchi:

  • While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add gnocchi and cook according to package instructions, typically until they float to the surface.

  • Drain the gnocchi, reserving a small amount of cooking water.

• Combine & Serve:

  • Add cooked gnocchi to the Bolognese sauce and toss gently to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved gnocchi water to reach the desired consistency.

  • Stir in grated Parmesan and chopped basil. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

  • Serve the dish hot, garnished with additional Parmesan and basil if desired.

Notes

Vegetarian Option: Replace ground beef with lentils or plant-based meat for a vegetarian version.

Spicy Kick: Add more red chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to increase the heat in the sauce.

Herb Variations: Try adding oregano or extra bay leaves for different flavor notes.

Customizations: Add vegetables like mushrooms or spinach to the sauce for added flavor and nutrition.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian