Description
Classic Gnocchi Bolognese combines tender potato gnocchi with a rich, hearty meat sauce simmered with tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a touch of red wine for depth of flavor. This comforting Italian dish is perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon 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) dry red wine
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 2 cans (14 oz / 400 g each) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup (250 ml) beef stock
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Gnocchi and Garnish
- 1 ½ lb (900 g) gnocchi
- ⅓ cup (30 g) grated Parmesan
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- Extra grated Parmesan for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery, cooking for 8-10 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add Garlic and Beef: Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute. Then add the ground beef, cooking for 5-6 minutes until browned, breaking up the meat with a spoon as it cooks.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the red wine and cook for 1-2 minutes to allow the alcohol to evaporate and flavors to meld.
- Add Herbs and Paste: Stir in the tomato paste, fresh thyme, rosemary, and red chili flakes, combining thoroughly with the meat mixture.
- Add Tomatoes and Stock: Add crushed tomatoes, beef stock, and bay leaves. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
- Cook Gnocchi: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the gnocchi according to package directions until they float to the surface, then drain.
- Combine and Serve: Remove bay leaves from the sauce. Stir the cooked gnocchi, grated Parmesan, and chopped basil into the sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef for a healthier option and less grease in the sauce.
- Substitute beef stock with vegetable stock to make it suitable for vegetarians if omitting meat.
- Fresh herbs can be replaced with 1 teaspoon dried thyme and rosemary if fresh is unavailable.
- For a spicier kick, increase the red chili flakes according to your preference.
- If homemade gnocchi is used, adjust cooking time as needed.
- Leftover sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
