Description
A classic Italian dish featuring tender gnocchi smothered in a rich, flavorful Bolognese sauce made with ground beef, fresh herbs, and crushed tomatoes. Perfect for a comforting dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon 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) dry red wine
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 2 cans (14 oz / 400 g each) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup (250 ml) beef stock
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Gnocchi and Garnish
- 1 ½ lb (900 g) gnocchi
- ⅓ cup (30 g) grated Parmesan
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- Extra grated Parmesan for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery, cooking for 8-10 minutes until softened.
- Add Garlic and Brown Beef: Stir in the garlic and cook for one minute. Then add the ground beef, cooking for 5-6 minutes until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the dry red wine and cook for 1-2 minutes until the alcohol has evaporated.
- Add Flavorings: Mix in the tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, and red chili flakes, stirring well to combine.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, beef stock, and add bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
- Cook Gnocchi: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the gnocchi according to package instructions, then drain.
- Combine and Serve: Remove bay leaves from the sauce, then stir in the cooked gnocchi, grated Parmesan, and fresh basil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use homemade beef stock instead of store-bought.
- If you prefer a milder sauce, omit the red chili flakes.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for a different variation.
- Fresh gnocchi cooks quickly; be careful not to overcook to avoid mushy texture.
- Make sure to salt the pasta water generously to season the gnocchi.
- Leftover sauce can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
