Description
A classic Italian comfort dish featuring tender gnocchi tossed in a rich and flavorful homemade Bolognese sauce made with ground beef, fresh herbs, and crushed tomatoes. This hearty meal is finished with freshly grated Parmesan and basil, perfect for a family dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bolognese Sauce:
- 1 tbsp 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) vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- ¼ tsp red chili flakes (optional)
- 2 cans (14 oz / 400 g each) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup (250 ml) beef stock
- 2 bay leaves
For the Gnocchi:
- 1 ½ lb (900 g) gnocchi
For the Topping:
- â…“ cup (30 g) grated Parmesan
- 6–8 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large, deep pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, and celery, and cook for 8–10 minutes until softened.
- Add Garlic: Stir in chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook Beef: Add ground beef to the pan, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 5–6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Add Broth & Tomato Paste: Pour in vegetable broth and cook for 1–2 minutes to deglaze the pan. Stir in tomato paste, fresh thyme, rosemary, and red chili flakes if using.
- Add Tomatoes & Stock: Add crushed tomatoes, beef stock, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Gnocchi: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add gnocchi and cook according to package instructions, usually until they float to the surface, indicating they are done.
- Drain the Gnocchi: Drain the gnocchi, reserving a small amount of the cooking water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Combine & Serve: Add the cooked gnocchi to the Bolognese sauce and gently toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved gnocchi water to loosen it up.
- Finish with Toppings: Stir in grated Parmesan and chopped basil. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Serve: Serve the gnocchi Bolognese hot, garnished with additional Parmesan and basil leaves if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs for best flavor, but dried thyme and rosemary can be substituted if necessary (use about 1 teaspoon each).
- For a richer sauce, you can substitute part of the vegetable broth with red wine.
- If using store-bought gnocchi, follow package cooking instructions carefully to prevent overcooking.
- Leftover gnocchi Bolognese can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on stovetop or microwave.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with lentils or plant-based meat alternatives and use vegetable broth only.
