Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake Recipe
This Cheesy Bolognese Gnocchi Bake combines succulent lean beef mince with a rich, tangy tomato sauce, soft pillowy gnocchi, and crispy bacon, all topped with melted mature cheddar cheese for a comforting and hearty baked dish. The sauce is enriched with aromatic vegetables, garlic, and herbs, then simmered to perfection before being baked under a golden cheese crust. Perfect for a satisfying family dinner with a touch of Italian flair.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop and Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 2 slices of back bacon, fat removed, chopped
- 400g (14oz) extra lean beef mince (ground beef)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 3 shallots, finely diced
- 1 carrot, finely diced
- 2 small stalks of celery, finely diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
- Few fresh basil leaves, torn
Tomato Sauce
- 400g (14oz) canned chopped tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste (puree)
- ½ tablespoon dried mixed herbs
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sweetener or sugar (optional)
Other Ingredients
- 240ml (1 cup) chicken or beef stock
- 500g (17.5oz) pack of gnocchi
- 120g (4.2oz) mature cheddar, grated
- Olive oil cooking spray
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: Spray a frying pan over medium-high heat with olive oil spray. Add the chopped back bacon and fry until golden and crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside for later.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pan, add the finely diced shallots, carrot, and celery. Fry gently to soften the vegetables, adding a splash of water or stock if required to stop the vegetables from sticking to the pan.
- Add Garlic and Beef: Stir in the crushed garlic and the extra lean beef mince. Cook until the meat is browned all over, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Simmer the Sauce: Return the cooked bacon to the pan. Stir in dried mixed herbs, canned chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, granulated sweetener or sugar (if using), the chicken or beef stock, and balsamic vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer. Let it cook gently for 20 minutes until the sauce thickens and develops a rich flavor.
- Cook the Gnocchi with Sauce: Stir the gnocchi into the sauce, and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. The gnocchi will cook in the sauce; add more stock if the gnocchi absorbs too much liquid and the sauce becomes too thick.
- Season: Taste and season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your preference.
- Bake with Cheese: Transfer the gnocchi and sauce mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle grated mature cheddar evenly over the top. Place the dish under the grill or broiler for about 4 minutes until the cheese has melted and turned golden and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the dish from the grill and scatter fresh torn basil leaves over the top. Serve immediately while hot and cheesy.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken stock with vegetable stock to make it slightly lighter.
- For a vegetarian version, replace beef mince and bacon with plant-based mince and omit bacon.
- If you prefer softer gnocchi, simmer an extra 2 minutes and add more stock as needed.
- Using mature cheddar adds a sharper flavor, but you can use mozzarella for a milder taste.
- Adjust the sweetener or sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes according to your taste.
- Make sure not to overcook gnocchi before baking to prevent it from becoming mushy.
Keywords: Cheesy Bolognese, gnocchi bake, baked gnocchi, bolognese sauce, cheesy baked pasta, Italian comfort food, ground beef recipe
