Description
A hearty and comforting Gnocchi Bolognese recipe featuring tender potato gnocchi served with a rich and flavorful beef and tomato sauce infused with fresh herbs and a hint of spice, perfect for a satisfying Italian main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 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
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb (900 g) gnocchi
- ⅓ cup (30 g) grated Parmesan
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion, carrot, and celery, cooking for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Add Garlic and Brown Beef: Add the chopped garlic and cook for an additional minute. Then add the lean ground beef, cooking for 5-6 minutes until browned, breaking the meat apart with a spoon to ensure even cooking.
- Deglaze with Wine: Stir in the dry red wine and cook for 1-2 minutes to allow the alcohol to evaporate, enhancing the sauce’s depth of flavor.
- Incorporate Tomato and Herbs: Add the tomato paste, fresh thyme, fresh rosemary, and red chili flakes, stirring well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, beef stock, and add the bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
- Cook Gnocchi: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the gnocchi according to the package instructions once water is boiling. Drain the gnocchi when they float to the surface, indicating they are cooked.
- Combine and Finish: Once the sauce is thickened, stir in the cooked gnocchi, grated Parmesan, and roughly chopped fresh basil leaves. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve the gnocchi bolognese immediately, with extra grated Parmesan on top if desired for added richness.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content and keep the sauce rich but not greasy.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, increase the red chili flakes slightly.
- Feel free to substitute beef stock with vegetable stock to make it lighter, though it may subtly alter the flavor.
- Fresh herbs add brightness; if unavailable, dried herbs can be used but reduce the quantity by half.
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with plant-based mince and use vegetable stock instead.
- To prevent the gnocchi from sticking, stir occasionally while boiling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
