Description
This Gnocchi Bolognese recipe features pillowy gnocchi tossed in a rich, homemade Bolognese sauce made with ground beef, fresh vegetables, and fragrant herbs. Perfect for a comforting and hearty meal, this dish combines the traditional flavors of Italian Bolognese with tender gnocchi for a satisfying dinner that serves six.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bolognese Sauce:
- 1 tbsp 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
- ½ cup (100 ml) vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- ¼ tsp red chili flakes (optional)
- 2 cans (14 oz / 400 g each) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup (250 ml) beef stock
- 2 bay leaves
For the Gnocchi:
- 1 ½ lb (900 g) gnocchi
For the Topping:
- ⅓ cup (30 g) grated Parmesan
- 6–8 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large, deep pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, and celery, cooking for 8–10 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 5–6 minutes until the beef is browned all over.
- Add Broth & Tomato Paste: Pour in the vegetable broth and let it cook for 1–2 minutes to reduce slightly. Stir in the tomato paste, fresh thyme, rosemary, and optional red chili flakes, combining thoroughly.
- Add Tomatoes & Stock: Add the crushed tomatoes, beef stock, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat and cook uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors and thicken the sauce.
- Cook the Gnocchi: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook according to package instructions, usually until they float to the surface, indicating they are done.
- Drain Gnocchi: Drain the cooked gnocchi, reserving a small amount of the cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- Combine & Serve: Add the cooked gnocchi to the Bolognese sauce and gently toss to combine. If the sauce feels too thick, stir in a little bit of the reserved gnocchi water to loosen it up.
- Add Toppings: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil, then adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Dish the gnocchi Bolognese hot, garnishing with extra Parmesan and basil leaves if desired for a beautiful and flavorful presentation.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to keep the sauce from becoming too greasy.
- Simmering the sauce uncovered allows it to thicken and develop deep flavor.
- Reserve some gnocchi cooking water to help loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Fresh herbs add brightness — optional dried herbs can be substituted if fresh are not available.
- Adjust chili flakes to your preferred spice level or omit entirely for a milder taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
