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Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 97 reviews

This Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake combines a rich, flavorful beef Bolognese sauce with tender gnocchi and a golden melted cheddar topping. Perfect for a comforting family meal, it features a balanced blend of vegetables, herbs, and a cheesy finish, baked under the grill for a crispy crust.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 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

Meat & Dairy

  • 400g (14oz) extra lean beef mince (ground beef)
  • 120g (4.2oz) mature cheddar, grated

Pantry Items

  • 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

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Vegetables: Spray a frying pan over medium-high heat with olive oil cooking spray. Add the finely diced shallots, carrot, and celery to the pan. Fry the vegetables, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add a little water or stock as needed to prevent sticking to the pan.
  2. Cook Garlic and Beef: Add the crushed garlic cloves to the pan and cook briefly until fragrant. Then add the extra lean ground beef mince, cooking while breaking it up with a spatula until fully browned and no pink remains.
  3. Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the dried mixed herbs, canned chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, granulated sweetener or sugar (if using), stock, and balsamic vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the pan and reduce heat to simmer gently for 20 minutes. Allow the sauce to thicken and develop rich flavor.
  4. Cook Gnocchi in Sauce: Stir the pack of gnocchi into the simmering sauce and continue to cook uncovered for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more stock if the gnocchi absorbs too much liquid. Ensure the gnocchi are tender and cooked through.
  5. Season the Sauce: Taste the sauce and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking.
  6. Prepare to Bake: Transfer the gnocchi and Bolognese mixture into a suitable baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the grated mature cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
  7. Broil the Bake: Place the baking dish under a preheated grill/broiler and cook for approximately 4 minutes until the cheddar is melted, golden, and bubbling.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the grill, scatter torn fresh basil leaves over the top for freshness and aroma. Serve the cheesy Bolognese gnocchi bake immediately while warm and melty.

Notes

  • You can substitute beef stock with vegetable stock to make it suitable for vegetarians using meat alternative mince.
  • Adjust the sweetness with sugar or sweetener to balance acidity of the tomatoes according to taste.
  • For extra creaminess, add a splash of cream or milk before baking.
  • Use fresh grated cheddar cheese rather than pre-shredded for better melting quality.
  • Ensure to watch the bake under the grill closely as cheese can burn quickly.

Keywords: Bolognese, Gnocchi, Cheesy Bake, Italian, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner

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