Cozy Gnocchi Bolognese Recipe

This Cozy Gnocchi Bolognese is a heartwarming and deeply satisfying dish that brings together the rich flavors of a classic Italian bolognese with the comforting texture of pillowy gnocchi. Imagine a slow-simmered meat sauce, packed with savory ground beef and pork, aromatic vegetables, and a medley of herbs, all melding together into a luscious and flavorful ragu. This sauce then lovingly coats tender gnocchi, creating a truly unforgettable culinary experience. Perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion, this recipe is sure to warm your heart and fill your home with the inviting aroma of Italian cooking.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Rich and Hearty: The slow-simmered bolognese sauce, featuring a blend of ground beef and pork, aromatic vegetables, and a medley of herbs, creates a deeply satisfying and comforting meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
• Classic Italian Comfort: This recipe captures the essence of classic Italian cooking, offering a rich and flavorful bolognese that’s both authentic and approachable, making it a favorite for family gatherings and special occasions.
• Perfect for Gatherings: This dish is ideal for feeding a crowd or enjoying a cozy family dinner, as the hearty bolognese sauce and tender gnocchi are sure to please everyone at the table.

this Recipe

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Cozy Gnocchi Bolognese:

For the bolognese sauce:

• Olive oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables and providing a rich base for the sauce.
• Carrots: Finely chopped, they contribute sweetness and depth to the mirepoix, forming the aromatic foundation of the bolognese.
• Celery stalks: Finely chopped, they add a subtle savory note and a crisp texture to the mirepoix, complementing the carrots and onions.
• Yellow onion: Roughly chopped, it provides a sweet and savory base to the sauce, caramelizing and adding complexity as it cooks.
• Diced pancetta: Adds a salty, savory, and slightly smoky flavor, enriching the bolognese with its rendered fat and crispy texture.
• Garlic: Minced/pressed, or garlic paste, provides a pungent and aromatic flavor, essential for adding depth and complexity to the sauce.
• Lean ground beef: I use grass-fed, for a rich and hearty protein source that forms the base of the bolognese.
• Ground pork: Adds richness and a slightly sweeter flavor, complementing the ground beef and creating a more complex meat sauce.
• Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper: Used to season the meat and vegetables, enhancing their natural flavors, and ensuring a well-balanced taste in the final dish.
• Chipotle powder: Adds a subtle smoky and earthy note with a hint of heat, providing a unique twist to the classic bolognese.
• Dried oregano: Provides a classic Italian herb flavor, adding warmth and depth to the sauce.
• Smoked paprika: Adds a rich, smoky, and slightly sweet flavor, enhancing the overall complexity of the bolognese.
• Tomato paste: Adds a concentrated tomato flavor and richness, thickening the sauce and creating a deep, vibrant color.
• Dry red wine (Chianti, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Merlot): Used to deglaze the pot, adding complexity, acidity, and a touch of fruitiness to the sauce, while also tenderizing the meat.
• Diced fire roasted tomatoes: Adds a smoky and slightly sweet flavor to the sauce, along with a touch of acidity and a chunky texture.
• Fresh rosemary & thyme: Herb blend, I use 3-4 sprigs each, provides a fragrant and herbaceous aroma, adding freshness and complexity to the sauce.
• Bay leaves: Adds a subtle herbal note, contributing to the overall depth and complexity of the sauce.
• Chicken or beef broth: Provides a flavorful braising liquid, adding moisture and depth to the sauce while tenderizing the meat.
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty, and savory flavor, enriching the sauce and providing a creamy texture.
• Heavy whipping cream: Adds richness and creaminess to the sauce, creating a velvety smooth texture.

To finish & assemble gnocchi bolognese:

• Potato gnocchi: I use shelf-stable, for a tender and pillowy pasta that complements the rich sauce.

How to Make Cozy Gnocchi Bolognese

Step 1: Sauté the mirepoix

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the carrot, celery, and onion. Sauté until tender and golden, stirring often, about 6-7 minutes, developing the aromatic base of the sauce.

Step 2: Add the flavor agents

Then add the diced pancetta into the pot and cook along with the mirepoix until golden, about 2-3 minutes, allowing its fat to render and enhance the flavor. Add the garlic and continue cooking until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 3: Brown the meat & season

Create a well in the center of the pot and add in the ground beef and ground pork. Use a wooden utensil to break the meat into pieces and stir to combine with the mirepoix. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and completely cooked through, about 8-9 minutes. Season the meat mixture with salt/pepper, chipotle powder, dried oregano, and smoked paprika, stirring well to fully combine. Add the tomato paste into the pot and stir into the meat/mirepoix mixture to coat. Continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes to meld.

Step 4: Deglaze the pot

Increase the heat to medium-high, pour in the red wine to deglaze. Use a wooden utensil to stir the wine into the mixture, scraping up any bits that have collected on the bottom of the pot. Allow the mixture to cook until the wine has mostly absorbed into the meat mixture, about 4-5 minutes, creating a rich and flavorful base for the sauce.

Step 5: Build the braise

Add the diced tomatoes, fresh herb blend, bay leaves, and broth into the pot, stirring well to combine.

Step 6: Slow simmer

Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a lid. Let the bolognese sauce simmer and braise for 1 1/2 – 2 hours, going back to the pot to stir every so often, allowing the flavors to meld and the meat to become tender.

Step 7: Finish bolognese sauce

After braising, you may need to skim off any excess fat from the top of the sauce. Use a large serving spoon or small liquid measuring cup to do so, as needed. Remove the herb stems and bay leaves from the pot. Then stir in the parmesan cheese and cream until combined. Remove the finished bolognese sauce from heat and set aside while you cook the gnocchi.

Step 8: Cook gnocchi

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the gnocchi according to your package directions. I recommend undercooking the gnocchi by just 1 minute since it’ll be going straight into the still warm bolognese sauce. After cooking, remove about 1/2 cup of the gnocchi water and set aside.

Step 9: Assemble gnocchi bolognese

Transfer parboiled gnocchi with a slotted spoon directly into the bolognese sauce pot and gently toss to coat all the gnocchi, bring it all together beautifully. At this stage, adjust the sauce until it’s just right to your liking. For a thinner sauce consistency, stream a splash of the reserved gnocchi water into the pot until the desired consistency is reached. To thicken sauce, sprinkle in more grated parmesan cheese.

Step 10: Serve

Serve gnocchi bolognese immediately in pasta bowls and top with extra freshly grated parmesan cheese, if desired.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Fat Removal: After braising, you may need to skim off any excess fat from the top of the sauce for a lighter consistency.
• Gnocchi Undercooking: Undercooking the gnocchi slightly prevents it from becoming mushy when added to the sauce.
• Sauce Consistency: Adjust the sauce consistency with reserved gnocchi water or more parmesan cheese to achieve your desired thickness.

How to Serve

• Main Course: Serve as a hearty and satisfying main course.
• Garnish: Top with extra parmesan cheese, fresh basil, or a drizzle of olive oil.
• Sides: Pair with crusty bread or a simple green salad.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating:

Reheat the bolognese sauce and gnocchi separately, then combine when warmed through.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef and pork?
Yes, you can use ground turkey, but the flavor will be different.

Can I add vegetables to the sauce?
Yes, you can add vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini.

Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, you can substitute the meat with lentils or vegetables.

Can I freeze this dish?
Yes, you can freeze the bolognese sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

There you have it! A delicious and easy-to-make recipe for Cozy Gnocchi Bolognese that’s perfect for any occasion. The rich and flavorful bolognese sauce, combined with tender gnocchi, creates a truly unforgettable meal. Give it a try, and you’ll have a restaurant-quality dish ready in no time!

Print