Description
A hearty and comforting Baked Gnocchi Bolognese recipe featuring tender potato gnocchi baked in a rich, flavorful beef and tomato sauce, topped with melted parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. This dish combines the classic Italian flavors of a slow-simmered Bolognese with the cozy appeal of a baked casserole, perfect for a family dinner or group gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Oil
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids and Base
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup red wine
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 2 cups tomato passata
- 2 bay leaves
Pasta and Cheese
- 2 pounds potato gnocchi
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: 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. Once cooked, remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add the diced carrots, celery, yellow onion, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are slightly softened and fragrant, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add Tomato Paste and Combine: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Return the browned ground beef to the pot and sauté together with the vegetables and tomato paste for another minute.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the red wine, beef broth, and tomato passata to deglaze the pot, scraping any browned bits off the bottom. Add salt and pepper to taste, stir in the bay leaves, and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Preheat the Oven: While the sauce simmers, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Combine Gnocchi and Transfer: Stir the potato gnocchi into the bolognese sauce until well coated. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella evenly over the top of the gnocchi and sauce. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and developed a golden-brown crust.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this flavorful baked gnocchi bolognese as a satisfying meal any time of year.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use homemade beef broth or a high-quality store-bought version.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the vegetables.
- To make this dish vegetarian, substitute the ground beef with lentils or a plant-based mince alternative and use vegetable broth.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a crispier topping, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes after baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Keywords: Gnocchi Bolognese, Baked Gnocchi, Italian Comfort Food, Potato Gnocchi Recipe, Baked Pasta, Beef Bolognese, Easy Italian Dinner