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Gnocchi Bolognese Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 113 reviews

A hearty and comforting Gnocchi Bolognese featuring tender potato gnocchi smothered in a rich, flavorful beef and tomato sauce infused with fresh herbs and a hint of spice. Perfect for a satisfying family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce Ingredients

  • 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
  • 1/2 cup (100 ml) dry red wine
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1/4 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

Main Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb (900 g) gnocchi
  • 1/3 cup (30 g) grated Parmesan
  • 6–8 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the base vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large, deep pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
  2. Brown the garlic and beef: Add the chopped garlic to the pan and cook for one minute. Then add the lean ground beef. Cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a spoon, until browned thoroughly.
  3. Deglaze with wine: Pour in the dry red wine and cook for 1-2 minutes until the alcohol evaporates and the liquid reduces slightly.
  4. Add herbs and tomato paste: Stir in tomato paste, fresh thyme, rosemary, and red chili flakes, combining everything evenly.
  5. Simmer the sauce: Add crushed tomatoes, beef stock, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop flavors.
  6. Cook the gnocchi: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the gnocchi according to package instructions until they float to the top, then drain well.
  7. Combine and serve: Remove bay leaves from the sauce, season with salt and pepper. Add cooked gnocchi to the sauce and gently toss to coat. Sprinkle grated Parmesan and fresh basil over the top before serving.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef to keep the sauce rich yet not overly greasy.
  • Red wine helps deepen the flavor; substitute with additional beef stock if preferred.
  • You can prepare the sauce in advance and reheat gently before serving.
  • Gnocchi cooks very quickly; watch closely to avoid overcooking.
  • Fresh herbs brighten the flavor, but dried herbs can be used in a pinch (use about 1 tsp each).

Keywords: Gnocchi Bolognese, Italian gnocchi recipe, beef bolognese sauce, homemade gnocchi sauce, easy Italian dinner

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