Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake
A hearty, comforting dish that combines tender gnocchi with rich bolognese sauce, topped with golden melted cheddar. Perfect for cozy family dinners or feeding a hungry crowd.
Calories:
Ingredients
- 2 slices of back bacon fat removed, chopped
- 3 shallots finely diced
- 1 carrot finely diced
- 2 small stalks of celery finely diced
- 3 cloves of garlic crushed
- 400 g 14oz extra lean beef mince (ground beef)
- ½ tablespoon dried mixed herbs
- 400 g 14oz chopped tomatoes, canned
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste puree
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sweetener or sugar optional
- 240 ml 1 cup chicken or beef stock
- 500 g 17.5oz pack of gnocchi
- 120 g 4.2oz mature cheddar cheese, grated
- Olive oil cooking spray
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- A few fresh basil leaves torn
Instructions
- Spray a frying pan with olive oil over medium-high heat. Fry the chopped bacon until golden and crispy, then set aside.
- In the same pan, cook the diced shallots, carrot, and celery for 5–6 minutes until softened, adding a splash of water or stock if they start to stick.
- Add the crushed garlic and beef mince, cooking for 6–8 minutes while breaking up the meat until fully browned.
- Return the bacon to the pan. Stir in the mixed herbs, chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, sweetener or sugar, and stock. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for about 20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in the gnocchi and simmer uncovered for 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is tender. Add extra stock if the sauce thickens too much.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper, then transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
- Top with grated cheddar and broil for about 4 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden and bubbly.
- Garnish with torn basil leaves and serve hot with a green salad or crusty bread.