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Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake Recipe

Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 8 reviews

A comforting and flavorful Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake combining tender gnocchi, rich beef Bolognese sauce with bacon and vegetables, topped with melted mature cheddar cheese and fresh basil. Perfect for a hearty 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)

Tomato Sauce

  • 1/2 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

Main Ingredients

  • 500g (17.5oz) pack of gnocchi
  • 120g (4.2oz) mature cheddar, grated

Additional

  • Olive oil cooking spray
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Few fresh basil leaves, torn

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Spray a frying pan over medium-high heat with olive oil spray. Add chopped back bacon and fry until golden and slightly crispy. Remove from pan and set aside.
  2. Sauté the vegetables: In the same pan, add diced shallots, carrot, and celery. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add a splash of water or stock if the vegetables start to stick to the pan.
  3. Brown the garlic and beef: Add crushed garlic to the pan and cook for a minute until fragrant. Then add the extra lean beef mince and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked.
  4. Combine with bacon and simmer sauce: Return the cooked 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 to a boil, then reduce heat and cover to simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce is rich and thickened.
  5. Cook gnocchi in sauce: Stir in the gnocchi and continue to simmer for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the gnocchi is tender and cooked through. Add extra stock if the sauce thickens too much or gnocchi absorbs liquid.
  6. Season sauce: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
  7. Assemble and bake: Transfer the gnocchi and Bolognese mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle the grated mature cheddar evenly over the top.
  8. Broil the cheese: Place the dish under a preheated grill/broiler for about 4 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
  9. Garnish and serve: Scatter fresh torn basil leaves on top before serving. Serve immediately while hot and gooey.

Notes

  • You can substitute back bacon for pancetta or smoked bacon for extra flavor.
  • If you want a vegetarian version, replace beef with plant-based mince and use vegetable stock.
  • Using extra lean beef mince helps reduce fat but maintains richness.
  • Gnocchi can be substituted with small pasta like penne or rigatoni if preferred.
  • Adding the balsamic vinegar enhances the depth and sweetness of the tomato sauce.
  • Adjust sweetener quantity depending on the acidity of canned tomatoes used.
  • Keep an eye under the grill to avoid burning the cheese topping.

Nutrition

Keywords: bolognese, gnocchi bake, cheesy gnocchi, baked pasta, Italian comfort food, beef mince recipe, easy dinner

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