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Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake Recipe

Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 9 reviews

This Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake is a comforting and hearty dish combining a rich, flavorful Bolognese sauce with tender gnocchi and a golden melted mature cheddar topping. Perfect for a family dinner, it balances lean beef with fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Dairy

  • 2 slices of back bacon, fat removed, chopped
  • 400g (14oz) extra lean beef mince (ground beef)
  • 120g (4.2oz) mature cheddar, grated

Vegetables and Herbs

  • 3 shallots, finely diced
  • 1 carrot, finely diced
  • 2 small stalks of celery, finely diced
  • 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
  • Few fresh basil leaves, torn

Pantry and Seasonings

  • ½ tablespoon dried mixed herbs
  • 400g (14oz) chopped tomatoes, canned
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste (puree)
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sweetener or sugar (optional)
  • 240ml (1 cup) chicken or beef stock
  • 500g (17.5oz) pack of gnocchi
  • Olive oil cooking spray
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Fry the Bacon: Spray a frying pan with olive oil over medium-high heat and fry the chopped back bacon until golden. Remove and set aside.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pan, add diced shallots, carrot, and celery, frying gently until softened. Add a splash of water or stock if the mixture starts to stick to the pan.
  3. Cook Garlic and Beef: Add crushed garlic and extra lean beef mince to the pan, cooking until the beef is browned evenly.
  4. Prepare Bolognese Sauce: Return the bacon to the pan and stir in dried mixed herbs, canned chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, sweetener or sugar (if using), stock, and balsamic vinegar. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 20 minutes until the sauce is thick and rich.
  5. Add Gnocchi: Stir the gnocchi into the sauce and simmer for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is cooked through. Add extra stock if the sauce becomes too thick or the gnocchi absorbs too much liquid.
  6. Season: Taste and season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
  7. Bake with Cheese: Transfer the gnocchi and sauce to a baking dish, sprinkle grated mature cheddar over the top, and place under a broiler or grill for about 4 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden brown.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Scatter fresh torn basil leaves over the top and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • Using lean beef keeps the dish healthier but still flavorful when combined with bacon and cheese.
  • Gnocchi absorbs liquid quickly; keep an eye and add stock if sauce becomes too thick during simmering.
  • For a vegetarian option, substitute beef and bacon with plant-based mince and omit bacon.
  • Run the cheese under the broiler carefully to avoid burning — watch closely.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for 2-3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Bolognese, Gnocchi bake, cheesy bake, comfort food, easy dinner, Italian-inspired dish

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/cheesy-bolognese-gnocchi-bake-recipe/