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Easy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake Recipe

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3.8 from 4 reviews

This Easy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake is a hearty and comforting casserole featuring tender gnocchi baked in a flavorful homemade bolognese sauce with ground beef, vegetables, and a cheesy topping. Ready in under an hour, it’s perfect for a family dinner or meal prep.

Ingredients

Sauce and Beef Mixture

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup diced onion (about 1/2 medium onion)
  • 1 cup shredded carrot (about 1 medium carrot)
  • 1 cup diced celery (about 2 medium celery sticks)
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon dried garlic powder
  • Salt & pepper to taste (approximately ¾ teaspoon salt and a few pinches of pepper)
  • 1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (15-oz) can diced tomatoes (not drained)

Pasta and Cheese

  • 2 (16-oz) packages gnocchi
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking and set it aside.
  2. Sauté vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion, shredded carrot, and diced celery. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
  3. Cook beef: Add the lean ground beef to the skillet along with Italian seasoning, dried garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring often to break up the beef, until it is browned and crumbly. Remove the skillet from heat once cooked.
  4. Assemble casserole: Stir in the tomato sauce, canned diced tomatoes (with their juices), and the gnocchi into the beef and vegetable mixture until well combined. Transfer everything into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the top evenly with grated parmesan cheese, followed by shredded mozzarella cheese.
  5. Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the bake is bubbling and the cheese is melted and starting to brown. Once done, let the casserole sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving to set.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, consider using a mix of ground beef and pork.
  • You can substitute fresh gnocchi with frozen—no need to thaw before adding to the sauce.
  • Add fresh basil or parsley on top before serving for extra freshness.
  • Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave.
  • To reduce sodium, use no-salt-added tomato sauce and limit added salt.

Find it online: https://recipeplenty.com/easy-bolognese-gnocchi-bake-recipe/