Description
A comforting and hearty dish combining tender gnocchi with a rich Bolognese sauce made from lean ground beef, aromatic vegetables, and fresh herbs. Perfect for family dinners or cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
- 1½ lb (900 g) gnocchi
- ⅓ cup (30 g) grated Parmesan
- 6–8 fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Aromatics: In a large, deep pan or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery, and cook for 8-10 minutes until softened.
- Add Garlic and Beef: Stir in garlic and cook for another minute. Add ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it down as it browns.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in red wine and cook for 1-2 minutes until the alcohol evaporates.
- Add Tomato Base and Herbs: Stir in tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, and red chili flakes. Then, add crushed tomatoes, beef stock, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cook Gnocchi: In a separate pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook gnocchi according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Combine and Serve: Remove bay leaves from the sauce, then stir in cooked gnocchi, Parmesan, and fresh basil. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Garnish: Serve immediately with extra grated Parmesan on top if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with lentils or a plant-based alternative.
- Feel free to add other vegetables, such as mushrooms or bell peppers, for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: main course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 75mg