Baked Gnocchi Bolognese Recipe

Ingredienti

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 carrots, finely diced
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced
• 1 yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth
• 2 cups tomato passata
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 pounds potato gnocchi
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preparazione

1. 1

   Brown the Ground Beef: Preheat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook thoroughly until fully browned. Season with salt and pepper, then remove the beef from the pot and set aside.

2. 2

   Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add diced carrots, celery, onion, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, seasoning with salt and pepper as you cook.

3. 3

   Add Tomato Paste and Meat: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to intensify its flavor. Return the browned ground beef to the pot and sauté together for another minute.

4. 4

   Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the red wine, beef broth, and tomato passata to deglaze the pot. Stir well and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the bay leaves and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.

5. 5

   Preheat Oven: While the sauce simmers, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking.

6. 6

   Combine Gnocchi and Sauce: Stir the potato gnocchi into the bolognese sauce until evenly coated. Transfer the mixture into a baking dish.

7. 7

   Add Cheese Toppings: Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top, then follow with shredded mozzarella cheese for a gooey, golden crust.

8. 8

   Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned on top. Remove from the oven and serve hot.