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Gnocchi Bolognese Recipe

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Gnocchi Bolognese is a comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender potato gnocchi coated in a rich, flavorful Bolognese sauce made with lean ground beef, aromatic vegetables, fresh herbs, and crushed tomatoes. This hearty and satisfying meal comes together in about 50 minutes, perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

For the Bolognese Sauce

  • 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
  • ¼ cup beef stock
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 2 cans (14 oz / 400 g each) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup (250 ml) beef stock
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Gnocchi and Garnish

  • 1 ½ lb (900 g) gnocchi
  • ⅓ cup (30 g) grated Parmesan
  • 6–8 fresh basil leaves, roughly torn

Instructions

  1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large deep pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion, carrot, and celery and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
  2. Add Garlic and Brown Beef: Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the lean ground beef and cook for 5–6 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon until browned evenly.
  3. Deglaze Pan: Pour in ¼ cup beef stock and cook for 1–2 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to lift up any browned bits to add flavor to the sauce.
  4. Add Seasonings and Tomato Paste: Mix in the tomato paste, chopped thyme, rosemary, and red chili flakes, stirring well until all ingredients are combined.
  5. Simmer Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, 1 cup beef stock, and add the bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens.
  6. Cook Gnocchi: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook according to package instructions until they float to the surface, then drain well.
  7. Combine Gnocchi and Sauce: Add the cooked gnocchi to the Bolognese sauce along with the grated Parmesan cheese and torn fresh basil leaves. Stir gently to coat the gnocchi evenly with the sauce. Season with salt and fresh black pepper to taste.
  8. Serve: Serve the Gnocchi Bolognese immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan if desired for an extra cheesy finish.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use homemade beef stock if possible.
  • Fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary can be substituted with dried herbs if fresh are unavailable; reduce quantity to half if using dried.
  • Add a splash of red wine to deglaze the pan after browning the beef for added depth of flavor (optional).
  • You can substitute lean ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter or vegetarian-friendly version.
  • Ensure gnocchi is cooked just until they float to avoid them becoming mushy.
  • Bay leaves should be removed before serving.

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