Description
This classic Gnocchi Bolognese combines pillowy potato gnocchi with a rich, savory meat sauce made from ground beef, fresh vegetables, and herbs simmered in tomatoes. It’s a comforting Italian-inspired dish perfect for a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 5-6 fresh basil leaves, torn
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 1 package potato gnocchi
Toppings
- Grated parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Sauté the vegetables: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery and sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion is translucent and the vegetables soften.
- Add garlic and brown the meat: Stir in the salt and minced garlic cloves and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the ground beef and brown it for 10 minutes, breaking up the meat and stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Add tomato paste and deglaze: Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for a few minutes to deepen its flavor. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to deglaze, loosening any browned bits. Cook the mixture for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add tomatoes and herbs: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, then add the torn basil leaves, fresh thyme sprigs, and season with salt and black pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer the sauce: Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer gently for 45 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed.
- Cook the gnocchi: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the potato gnocchi and cook according to package instructions until they float to the surface and are al dente, usually 2-3 minutes. Drain well.
- Serve: Plate the cooked gnocchi and spoon the hearty Bolognese sauce over them. Garnish generously with freshly grated parmesan cheese and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use a mix of beef and pork instead of just beef.
- Fresh herbs can be substituted with dried if unavailable, using about 1 teaspoon of dried basil and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme.
- Gnocchi can be homemade or store-bought; cooking time may vary slightly.
- To make this dish vegetarian, substitute the meat with lentils or mushrooms and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Leftover sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
