Baked Gnocchi Bolognese Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbspextra virgin olive oil
- 1 lbground beef
- Salt and pepper
- 2carrots
- 2celery stalks
- 1yellow onion
- 3garlic cloves
- 2 tbsptomato paste
- ½ cred wine
- 1 ½ cbeef broth
- 2 ctomato passata
- 2bay leaves
- 2 lbpotato gnocchi
- ¼ cparmesan cheese
- 1 cmozzarella cheese
Directions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until fully browned. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
- 2
In the same pot, add the diced carrots, celery, yellow onion, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, seasoning with salt and pepper as you go.
- 3
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen its flavor. Then, return the browned ground beef to the pot and sauté together for an additional minute to combine flavors.
- 4
Pour in the red wine, beef broth, and tomato passata to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits. Add bay leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld flavors together.
- 5
While the sauce simmers, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- 6
Stir the potato gnocchi into the bolognese sauce until evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle the top evenly with grated parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese.
- 7
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.
- 8
Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this hearty and cheesy baked gnocchi bolognese dish!
Baked Gnocchi Bolognese Recipe
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About this Recipe
Baked Gnocchi Bolognese: Your New Favorite Italian Comfort Meal
Get ready to discover your new go-to comfort food with this incredible Baked Gnocchi Bolognese recipe! This dish takes tender potato gnocchi and smothers it in a rich, savory beef and vegetable bolognese sauce, then bakes it all to perfection under a blanket of gooey, melted mozzarella and sharp Parmesan cheese. It's an Italian casserole dream come true, offering hearty flavors and a comforting warmth that's perfect for family dinners or entertaining friends.
What makes this cheesy baked gnocchi so special? It's the delightful contrast of textures: the soft, pillowy potato gnocchi absorbing all the incredible flavors of the slow-simmered bolognese, capped with that irresistible golden-brown cheese crust. Our bolognese isn't just any meat sauce; it's packed with finely diced carrots, celery, and onion, creating a deep, complex flavor base for the ground beef recipe. Red wine and beef broth add another layer of richness, ensuring every spoonful is bursting with authentic Italian taste.
This baked gnocchi dish is surprisingly simple to put together for such an impressive result. While the bolognese simmers, the gnocchi cooks quickly, making for an efficient total prep and cook time.
Tips for Perfect Baked Gnocchi Bolognese:
- Boost the Flavor: A pinch of dried oregano or basil added to the bolognese sauce will enhance its aromatic profile. Fresh parsley stirred in before baking or as a garnish also brightens the dish.
- Cheese Please: Don't be shy with the cheese! For extra richness, you can mix in a little ricotta or a different type of Italian melting cheese like fontina with the mozzarella.
- Veggie Power: While our bolognese is traditionally meat-based, you could easily sneak in finely chopped bell peppers or mushrooms for added nutrition and flavor.
Serve this hearty Baked Gnocchi Bolognese with a simple green salad and some crusty garlic bread to soak up every last bit of that delicious sauce. It’s a complete meal that promises warmth, satisfaction, and smiles around the table.