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Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake Recipe

Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 12 reviews

A comforting and hearty Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake combining tender gnocchi with a rich, flavorful Bolognese sauce topped with melted mature cheddar cheese, perfect for a satisfying family meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 2 slices of back bacon, fat removed, chopped
  • 3 shallots, finely diced
  • 1 carrot, finely diced
  • 2 small stalks of celery, finely diced
  • 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
  • 400g (14oz) extra lean beef mince (ground beef)

Sauce and Seasoning

  • 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
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Main and Topping

  • 500g (17.5oz) pack of gnocchi
  • 120g (4.2oz) mature cheddar, grated
  • Olive oil cooking spray
  • Few fresh basil leaves, torn

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pan: Spray a frying pan over medium-high heat with olive oil spray. Add the chopped back bacon and fry until golden and crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside.
  2. Cook the vegetables: In the same pan, add the finely diced shallots, carrot, and celery. Fry gently until softened, adding a splash of water or stock if the mixture begins to stick to the pan.
  3. Add garlic and mince: Add the crushed garlic cloves and the extra lean beef mince to the vegetables. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is browned and cooked through.
  4. Combine ingredients and simmer: Return the fried bacon to the pan. Stir in dried mixed herbs, canned chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, sweetener or sugar (if using), chicken or beef stock, and balsamic vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and become rich in flavor.
  5. Cook gnocchi in sauce: Stir the gnocchi into the simmering sauce. Continue to cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is tender and cooked through. Add additional stock if the gnocchi absorb too much liquid.
  6. Season the sauce: Taste and season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to preference.
  7. Bake with cheese: Transfer the gnocchi and Bolognese sauce mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle the grated mature cheddar evenly over the top. Place the dish under a broiler or grill for approximately 4 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and turned golden and bubbly.
  8. Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, scatter torn fresh basil leaves over the top, and serve immediately while hot and flavorful.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, substitute beef mince and bacon with plant-based mince and smoked tofu.
  • Using extra lean beef helps reduce fat content without sacrificing flavor.
  • If a milder sauce is preferred, reduce or omit the dried herbs.
  • Adding a splash of stock while cooking vegetables helps prevent sticking and adds moisture.
  • Gnocchi should be cooked just until tender to maintain a pleasing texture after baking.
  • Feel free to add a sprinkle of Parmesan or mozzarella cheese for extra cheesiness.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cheesy Bolognese, Gnocchi bake, comfort food, Italian bake, cheesy pasta dish, ground beef gnocchi, easy family dinner

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