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Baked Gnocchi Bolognese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 52 reviews

This Baked Gnocchi Bolognese recipe combines tender potato gnocchi with a rich, savory beef bolognese sauce topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese. It’s a comforting Italian-inspired baked pasta dish perfect for a hearty family meal or dinner party.

Ingredients

Scale

Bolognese Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 carrots, finely diced
  • 2 celery stalks, finely diced
  • 1 yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ½ cup red wine
  • 1 ½ cups beef broth
  • 2 cups tomato passata
  • 2 bay leaves

Main Dish

  • 2 pounds potato gnocchi
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Brown the Ground Beef: Preheat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook thoroughly until fully browned. Season with salt and pepper, then remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add diced carrots, celery, onion, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, seasoning with salt and pepper as you cook.
  3. Add Tomato Paste and Meat: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to intensify its flavor. Return the browned ground beef to the pot and sauté together for another minute.
  4. Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the red wine, beef broth, and tomato passata to deglaze the pot. Stir well and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the bay leaves and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
  5. Preheat Oven: While the sauce simmers, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking.
  6. Combine Gnocchi and Sauce: Stir the potato gnocchi into the bolognese sauce until evenly coated. Transfer the mixture into a baking dish.
  7. Add Cheese Toppings: Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top, then follow with shredded mozzarella cheese for a gooey, golden crust.
  8. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned on top. Remove from the oven and serve hot.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or pork for variation.
  • For a richer sauce, allow it to simmer longer before adding gnocchi.
  • If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with lentils or mushrooms and use vegetable broth.
  • Ensure gnocchi are fresh or thawed if using frozen to cook evenly.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: Baked gnocchi, Bolognese, Italian recipe, comfort food, baked pasta, cheesy gnocchi, ground beef sauce

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/baked-gnocchi-bolognese-recipe/